237: Loser Pale Ale

My first trip to the Pacific Northwest was when I was in high school. My mom, recently separated from my dad, packed up my sisters and I for a family vacation. We did all the tourist things, including the “Duck” tour, which was pretty fun.

It was interesting to see up close this city that I’d dreamed about from my distant roots in the midwest. Like many of my generation, I loved the “Seattle sound,” and most of my early music collection was composed of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains … the first CD I bought was Seattlite Jimi Hendrix’ Axis: Bold as Love.

So I’ll admit that I have a real soft spot for anything with “Sub Pop” on it, the label that brought me so much of my early musical education. I associate the label with an important, if awkward, time in my life, and recognize that the music, as much as anything, is what led me to Portland, just a few hours south of the Emerald City.

But beyond that, this is a special beer, worth seeking out even if you don’t have experience with plaid flannel and wide-wale corduroy pants.

Beer Name: Loser Pale Ale
Brewer: Elysian Brewing
Price: N/A
Sampled: August 25, 2010
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Yummy. Tasty malts give way to semi-sweet, slightly buttery-smooth body that masks alcohol beautifully. Nice euro hop aromas.
ABV: 7% abv
IBU: N/A
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Bottle.