THE BALMAIN PALE ALE WAS LAUNCHED IN MAY 2010 IN CELEBRATION OF TRADITION, MATES AND PUB CULTURE. A DISTINCTIVE FULL FLAVOURED ENGLISH–STYLE ALE, THE BALMAIN PALE ALE DISPLAYS A RICH MALT CHARACTER UPFRONT WHICH IS DERIVED FROM A BLEND OF TWO BASE AND THREE SPECIALITY MALTS. USED IN CONJUNCTION
THE RESULT IS A BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN-COPPER COLOUR WITH HINTS OF SWEET CARAMEL ON THE PALATE. MALT IS BALANCED WITH A MIX OF 3 COMPLEMENTARY HOP VARIETIES THAT GIVE AN ASSERTIVE YET CLEAN BITTERNESS, ALONG WITH AN AROMA PROVIDING HINTS OF CITRUS HUE AND MILD SPICE NOTES. THE BALMAIN PALE ALE IS ALL NATURAL AND UNFILTERED, AND AT 4.9% ABV, IT’S PERFECT TO ENJOY ON ITS OWN OR PAIRED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL DISH. BALMAIN PALE ALE IS BEST ENJOYED AT 6-8°C TO BRING OUT THE COMPLEXITY AND BALANCE. IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR THE DRINKING PLEASURE AND ENJOYMENT OF BEER DRINKERS
AND CRITICS ALIKE.”
This pale ale is one of only three beers this brewery produces. The other 2 being a bock and a pilsner. Served in a shaker glass the slightly hazy copper orange pour produced a small white head that collapses to patchy foam on top. Minimal lacing. The aroma first offers up a very good balance of hops and malt. A pleasant spicy character along with citrusy notes of orange peel, peach and mandarin pair up well with the biscuit and grainy malts. A good session beer coming up! In the mouth it feels frothy with medium carbonation. Medium bodied. Initially a passive aggressive bitterness takes hold of the tongue while light citrus notes adds some flavour. A very short lived spicy mid-palate delivers a dry, hoppy finish with some decent length. The 4.9% ABV is about standard but does play enough of a role to uphold the full flavour and body of this highly sessional pale ale. Some lovely English style characteristics here but the brewers have been smart enough to pack a lot more fruit and spice in to liven it up and make it perfect for a session under the hot Aussie sun. Good beer.