Steel Toe Pacific Midwest Pale Ale

Dear friends, I have a confession to make. The last Steel Toe entry here in Ye Olde Nib was in June of last year. I thoroughly chastised myself in that post for taking nearly a year to revisit them. And after such self-flagellation, I went ahead and stayed away for over a year and two months. Not that I didn't consider it over and over again. Not that that counts. I can recount the reasons, but none of them are sufficient excuses. 

I've got to live up to the promise and stop in and see them more often, this time for sure, bike trail closures or no bike trail closures. I finally did so this past Thursday, and on this visit, there were several new-to-me (and the Nib) beers to try, and I took some of them home in growlers and bottles. Here's the first.

Steel Toe Pacific Midwest Pale Ale. 

Featuring El Dorado & Cashmere Hops, a Collaboration with Hollingberry. 

5.6 % ABV. 40 IBU. Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN. 

Fairly clear, bright golden color, solid slab of ivory foam on top. 

In the nose: bright, fresh, fruity. Citrus, melon, stone fruit and berries. Delightful and intriguing. 

In the mouth: Bursting with hoppiness, but beautifully balanced. Medium bodied. Lush malt. Crisp, smooth, and refreshing. Bitterness remains moderate, drinkability is running on the high side. Quite delicious. 

In collaboration with Randin (formerly of Steel Toe, formerly of Boneyard Brewing) now with Hollingbery & Son Hops in Yakima, WA, we bring you Pacific Midwest Pale Ale.

Our updated take on the modern American Pale Ale falls right in our favorite ABV wheelhouse, with some updated hops and processes that allow us to get maximum hop character while still maintaining a golden crystal clear appearance.

We scoured through our experience of ingredients and picked some of our favorites. Utilizing Simpsons Golden Promise malt, and featuring El Dorado ® & Cashmere hops.

The aroma is bright with ripe strawberry, pineapple, kiwi and a finishing lime zest character. Light body, but with enough light toast malt backbone to balance, it finishes crisp and dry. Supremely drinkable!

Aroma/Taste: Strawberry, pineapple, kiwi, lime

Color: Bright clear pale golden

Alcohol content by volume: 5.6%

International Bitterness Units: 40