Friday Beer Review - Drifter Pale Ale

Brewery Name and Location: Widmer Brothers - Portland, OR
Name of Brew: Drifter Pale Ale
Style of Brew: Pale Ale
ABV: 5.7%

I picked up a sixer of Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale last Friday on my way home from work. I was standing in the beer aisle trying to not by an IPA (fiancee’s orders) and the bright blue box happened to catch my eye. Widmer makes a decent hefeweizen so I figured I’d give it a shot.

I’ve got to say the Drifter is a delicious pale ale. It’s got a great citrus flavor right off the top that isn’t to over powering followed by a crisp slightly bitter finish. According to Widmer that citrus flavor comes from the hops.

Brewed with generous amounts of Summit hops, a variety known for their intense citrus flavors and aromas, Drifter has a taste unique to the Pale Ale category. True to style, the bittering hops are perceptible enough to give the beer a crisp, clean, quenching finish, yet also soft enough to keep the beer smooth and balanced.

I don’t think this is going to be my week-in-week-out summer time beer but it’s definitely going to be in the rotation. Anytime there is going to be afternoon drinking on a sunny day I’m going to be looking to pick up some Drifter. Hmmmm….based on that set of qualifications it might end up being my week-in-week-out summer beer by default.

Widmer Brothers: Drifter Pale Ale