Wachusett Country Ale
Review Date
What does it take to
be the best selling ale in central Massachusetts? Ask the fine folks at
Wachusett Brewing Company of Westminster. Their Wachusett Country Ale has
earned just that sobriquet. That shouldn't surprise, either: this is a very
accessible, easy drinking ale that should appeal to an array of beer drinkers
outside the confines of beer geekdom. Though, of course, just how big a swath of
central Massachusetts they're talking about isn't quite clear. Country Ale has been
around since 1994, and I can fondly recall sipping it while watching the
Patriots play on a cool fall afternoon in Rhode Island. Today, a full fifteen
years later, it still retains it's balance of delightful drinkability and
satisfying flavor. Country Ale is brewed with Crystal and Two-Row Pale malts,
and moderately hopped with Cascades, Clusters, and Willamettes. The bitterness
is mild at only 17 IBUs, but the beer has an overall balance that I heartily
enjoy. And it's 5.1% alcohol content by volume lends it to session drinking,
too. Stylistically, of
course, this is a pale ale, and the brewery calls it "the balanced pale ale".
I'm not sure what they mean by that, as any beer can be balanced as long as the
hops and malts are employed to emerge with equal measure in the final analysis.
Still, most breweries have a beer in this vein, one designed to appeal to a
broad audience, sell briskly, and really pay the bills. A nice plus is the fact
that you can buy Wachusett Country Ale in a convenient sampler twelve-pack for
about thirteen bucks. you'll also get to try the IPA, Blueberry, and a seasonal
brew. Wachusett Country
Ale pours to a bright orange amber color with a medium sized head formation
and an enticing soft malty nose. The beer is well carbonated, and a steady
stream of large bubbles flows from the bottom to top of my glass for some time
after I pour. The palate is not overpowering but still has plenty of flavor,
with a touch of biscuity malt mixed with a bit of chewy caramel. Fruity pear
notes poke through the malt, and just a hint of herbal grassy hops balance the
finish. Again, this is a
drinkable brew with good flavor, while at the same time not an overpowering one.
If you're just starting out on the road of good brew, this one is a good first
step. Great, too, with roast chicken, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables on a
Sunday afternoon. And a football game or two wouldn't hurt, either.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
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