Richmond, Virginia has quite the beer scene these days. If you don’t believe me, just take a stop by the Hardywood Park Brewery which is actually not located in a park named Hardywood. Not at all. Instead, that name comes from a place in Australia named Hardywood Park where the brewery founders met.
Recently, I got to try one of their flagship beers, Hardywood Park Capital Trail Pale Ale, supplied by our own Chuck Triplett. Thanks Chuck! Pale ales are underrated these days, because let’s face it, India Pale Ales seems to get all the glory from beer geeks. In their own wonderful way, pale ales are just as alluring for me, and well they should be. There would be no IPAs without pale ales my friends.
Capital Trail Pale Ale is described as follows by the brewery, from the can label:
Citrus peel, fresh cut grass and a hint of pine needles greet your senses as you approach this refreshingly balanced, dry-hopped American-style pale ale. This beer is dedicated to the hard work of the volunteers and supporters of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. Joining the historic and current capitals of Jamestown and Richmond, the Virginia Capital Trail will provide 50+ miles of cycling, running and walking paths through stunning cities, parks and wilderness in the heart of the Old Dominion. Your purchase of this beer supports the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation.
Capital Trail Pale Ale is not sold here in Georgia, but if it were I would buy it not only because it tastes so good, but because I love the cause. I just love a good cause, and as an avid runner, jogger and walker myself (gotta burn off the beers after all) this is a cause I believe in.
As Hardywood states, this is an American Pale Ale, which is sort of hallway between a true pale ale and an IPA. I much prefer these over the one-dimensional “session IPAs” popular today. Capital Trail Pale Ale has an alcohol content of 5.6% by volume and 50 IBUs.
Hardywood Park Capital Trail Pale Ale pours to a bright orange color with a thick cauliflower head and a soft citrus and pine nose. A thick layer of Brussels lace clings to the sides of my glass and follows the liquid all the way to the bottom. Taking a sip, I get a very pleasing chewy caramel maltiness up front…wait. Let’s pause and enjoy that, because so many pale ales and IPAs don’t emphasize it anymore. OK, then the hops come through, gently citric like grapefruit peels are, with a distinct orange juiciness as well, then with a bit of resiny pine and a drying herbal bitterness.
Very nice indeed mes amis, a solid pale ale with a respectable hop bite.Run, don’t walk to this one. OK, you could walk, too. Just be sure not to miss it is all I’m saying.
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