Glassware: Beers that come in cans always seem more fun to drink, maybe its just novelty or maybe its the college kid in us that never fully went away. However, to truly experience beers full of aromatics and flavor a glass is always preferred. The Spiegelau IPA glass is a wonderful choice however not always available. A snifter, nonic pint, or willi becher pub glass are good choices.
Description: Daisy Cutter pours a beautiful amber orange hue with a thick, rocky and bright white head that leaves traces of lacing on the glass. The aroma is hop forward with bright notes of citrus, pine and floral hops being the most dominant with backing hints of lightly sweetened malts. The tastes follow the nose with hops hitting up front with hints of grapefruit, oranges and pine. Hints of floral and earthy hops provide a strong bitterness that is still reserved and does not tip into the IPA category. The lightly sweet biscuit malts provide the perfect backbone for the hops and allow them to shine without overpowering. The medium body and moderate carbonation give the beer a perfect mouthfeel that is crisp and refreshing yet smooth and soothing. This is quite easily one of the best American pale ales currently available and is an absolute must try for fans of full-flavored beers. Enjoy one while soaking up the last of the summer sun!
Food pairing: This is a great pale ale and pairs wonderfully with American faire. Keep your cooler well stocked with Daisy Cutter for your next backyard barbecue. It pairs great with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, spare ribs and fish. The floral and citrus notes are the perfect counterpoint for any spicy sauce. Daisy Cutter goes well with pizza, a movie and friends. The subtle yet sweet malts melt into the crust. Pile on the toppings; this beer can handle them. While fried foods aren’t necessarily the healthiest of cuisine, we all do what we know is bad for us from time to time. When you go over that line be sure to have Daisy Cutter on hand. It is great with french fries, fried chicken, fried veggies with ranch dipping sauce, and a litany of other good-yet- bad-food choices.
The Final Word: Half Acre Beer Company is located in Chicago, an area with a huge craft beer following and competition. The brewery has gained a stellar reputation for brewing world class beers and that reputation began with Daisy Cutter. The pale ale is not an easy category to build a reputation with as many craft beer drinkers tend to gravitate towards IPAs or high ABV beers. While I can see this as a sign of a good brewery, I believe a better sign of a good brewery and brewer should be built upon how they handle lighter beers such as pilsners and pale ales. One sip of Daisy Cutter and it will be immediately present to anyone that this truly is a brewery that knows how to brew great beer. The perfect balance is enough to introduce a beautiful hop flavor without fatiguing the palate and allowing for a crisp and refreshing drinking experience.
