New River Pale Ale
Review Date 7/8/2005
Try?
Re-buy?
Believe it or
not, most beers have a story. Few, however, have one as poignant as New
River Pale Ale, the first beer to hit the shelves in bottles and on
draft from the New River Brewing Company. The company was founded by
homebrewer Kenny Lefkowitz, and you can read his story at the company’s
website: http://www.newriverbrewing.com/story.html
Like many homebrewers, Kenny had the dream of making it big time and starting his own brewery. But Kenny worked a long time at his goal, and eventually began contract brewing his beer in 1999 at Old Dominion; it’s still made there today. But Kenny did not live to see his dream fully realized. Tragically, he died of a heart attack a few years after he began bottling his beer.
Kenny’s mom and some of his partners have kept the dream of New River alive. And they seem to be doing a great job. New River Pale ale boasts a number of awards, including a bronze medal in the American style pale ale category in 2000 and a silver in the same category in 2004. Both of these awards were received at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado.
New River Pale Ale just started showing up here in Atlanta in bottles and on tap. Likely that’s because of its recent success at the Great American Beer Festival. To me, the most remarkable thing about this beer is its balance. It accents both malt and hop quite nicely, and that makes it a very drinkable, very refreshing brew.
New River Pale Ale pours to a bright orange color with a very fruity hop nose and a thick and foamy head formation. A generous film of Brussels lace clings to the side of the glass and follows the beer all the way down to the bottom.
The palate immediately hits you with some very nice notes of chewy caramel malt. There’s a bit of crisp, candyish flavor too and a noticeable amount of fruit. The hops quickly emerge with a citric sparkle and increase in bitterness and aroma right on into the finish. The beer finishes with a dry lingering bitterness that balances but doesn’t overpower, making this one accessible to many.
I’d match New River Pale Ale with just about any cuisine. It goes equally well with wings or spicy oriental cuisine. I think it’s one of my preferred pale ales, just under such classics as Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale and Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale .
Like many homebrewers, Kenny had the dream of making it big time and starting his own brewery. But Kenny worked a long time at his goal, and eventually began contract brewing his beer in 1999 at Old Dominion; it’s still made there today. But Kenny did not live to see his dream fully realized. Tragically, he died of a heart attack a few years after he began bottling his beer.
Kenny’s mom and some of his partners have kept the dream of New River alive. And they seem to be doing a great job. New River Pale ale boasts a number of awards, including a bronze medal in the American style pale ale category in 2000 and a silver in the same category in 2004. Both of these awards were received at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado.
New River Pale Ale just started showing up here in Atlanta in bottles and on tap. Likely that’s because of its recent success at the Great American Beer Festival. To me, the most remarkable thing about this beer is its balance. It accents both malt and hop quite nicely, and that makes it a very drinkable, very refreshing brew.
New River Pale Ale pours to a bright orange color with a very fruity hop nose and a thick and foamy head formation. A generous film of Brussels lace clings to the side of the glass and follows the beer all the way down to the bottom.
The palate immediately hits you with some very nice notes of chewy caramel malt. There’s a bit of crisp, candyish flavor too and a noticeable amount of fruit. The hops quickly emerge with a citric sparkle and increase in bitterness and aroma right on into the finish. The beer finishes with a dry lingering bitterness that balances but doesn’t overpower, making this one accessible to many.
I’d match New River Pale Ale with just about any cuisine. It goes equally well with wings or spicy oriental cuisine. I think it’s one of my preferred pale ales, just under such classics as Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale and Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale .
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
