Big Rock Brewery stands as a beloved craft breweries in Alberta. I am a fan of their alcoholic beers so I was happy to spot the NA Pacer Hazy Pale Ale on the shelf. I knew it would be a treat, so I saved it for a special moment.
After a recent hike up Powderface Mountain, I handed a cold one to Barb. She’d been exploring the world of non-alcoholic brews lately, making her the perfect drinking buddy for this first sip.
My Review – Pacer Hazy Pale Ale By Big Rock Brewery (355 ml), 50 calories, 0.5% ABV)
Name bling (name creativity) – “In the middle of the vast Canadian Prairies rests a 16,000-ton boulder. It’s the kind of thing that stands out, inspiring in its seeming impossibility. Taking our name from this longstanding curiosity, Big Rock Brewery was born.” Definitely my favourite origin story to date! Now where is this big rock? I am also giving the NA Pacer IPA top stars too. Love that it can relate to both drinking and running. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sip n’ Savour (taste) – Pacer Hazy Pale Ale is described as “refreshing Hazy Pale Ale with tropical fruit and citrus notes, moderate bitterness and a subtle malt sweetness.” I appreciate the”craft education” that break down what colour, flavour and ABV mean for the non-beer expert. Under flavour: Beer flavour is complex. Some chefs prefer pairing food with beer over wine because different beers simply have a broader spectrum of tastes to choose from. To simply things, here is a meter that will tell you if a beer is deriving more flavour from hops (bitter, spicy, fruity and earthy) or malt (caramel, bready, roasted and sweet). ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wallet Wellness Index (Value for money) – Not a bad price. I picked my six-pack up for $13.99 ⭐⭐⭐
Label Love (Packaging/Presentation) – I love the simple packaging – the cans and the plastic ring holder. Watch me grab that six-pack and run for the door. The can features a modern, clean layout with a background of hues of green, orange and blue. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall – This was so refreshing. It really hit the spot. I didn’t feel like I was missing the real deal at all. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Where to buy: Get your Pacer IPA by Big Rock Brewing here. It is available in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.