The fine people at Real Ale have been brewing beer since 1996, long before brewing was where it is today. As a self-proclaimed (amateur) homebrewer myself, I find the origin story of Real Ale right up there with the Bible and Beowulf. I’ve never read either, but I hear they’re epic masterpieces. The brewery started in a basement as a total homebrew. In 1998, co-founder Brad Farbstein bought the brewery outright with his life’s savings and the rest is glorious history. It is American entrepreneurship at its finest, folks. The American Dream. The reason people want(ed) to immigrate to the United States.
We stopped by on a Sunday and I couldn’t think of a better day to visit a brewery in Texas. The tap room sits on the second floor where they have a variety of picnic tables and games. Walk out of the tap room and get a great view of where the magic happens. The brewing floor looks like a state of the art manufacturing facility. It is evident Real Ale has been doing this a long time. Plus, they have arcade games you can play while sipping on your beer. It’s the kind of place you take a Tinder date.
Just an awesome view. This is what brewing is all about. We helped ourselves to a game of Yahtzee while enjoying two flights of four beers. Let’s take a look at the casualties.
Firemans #4 Blonde Ale (5.1%): A light blonde ale that is a perfect summertime beer. The beer pours a golden color with a nice head. It’s not particularly hoppy and has a nice spicy finish to it thanks to its use of Crystal hops.
Brewhouse Brown Ale (5.4%): One of the Real Ale originals. The beer pours a dark caramel color, has a roasted/chocolate aroma, and the head disappears shortly after the pour. The taste is somewhat bitter with some chocolate undertones. It is a what you expect when you order a brown ale. No surprises. The kind of beer you have with some kick ass Texas BBQ.
Elderhop Saison (7.0%): Saisons are hit or miss with some people. Given my boozy nature, I love saisons. I think they’re refreshing with a distinct, hoppy taste. Saisons are a good beer to sip on as winter is slowly thawing out and flowers are sprouting up. Like if a Bob Ross painting was a beer. The Elderhop has a delicate hop profile and has a floral elderflower aroma, which is where this saison derives its name. This beer was my favorite of the litter.
Hans’ Pils (5.3%): I feel like every flight I’ve written about since starting this blog has had a German named beer. This German-style Pilsner is a light bodied pils with a clear body and foamy head. Hans is brewed using Tettnang hops, which are derived from Czech Saaz hops. At 50 IBUs, the beer has a little hop to its step and slight bitter aftertaste. If a tradition Czech pils and a Pale Ale had a baby, this beer might be it.
Axis IPA (7.0%): This heavy IPA feels like Real Ale’s attempt to roll up its sleeves and throw down with the likes of West Coast IPAs. Named after the Axis deer, the Axis Pale Ale is dry-hopped with a blend of Eureka, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops. The blend gives it a complex, fruity flavor with a slight piney aroma. The body has a hazy, orange body with a foamy, head. A great answer to the East and West Coast IPA takeover. Real Ale is drawing a line in the sand and letting other brewers know that this aggression will not stand.
Lost Gold IPA (6.6%): Brewed using English Crystal malts which gives it a nice golden finish, the Lost Gold IPA is brewed with a boatload of American hops. A blend of Columbus, Cascade, Amarillo, and Summit hops gives it a complex, citrusy taste. At 6.6% and an IBU of 62, this wasn’t too hoppy and is a good beer for that IPA beginner like myself.
Imperium Persicum Wild Peach IPA (8.4%): The Imperium takes the Lost Gold IPA and racks it in a secondary fermenter (oak barrel) for 12-months. While fermenting in the secondary, peaches are added to give it a dry, tart taste. At 8.4%, the beer itself is quite heavy but what I loved about the beer is that sour taste. I’ve never been shy about my love for sour ales. While the Imperium isn’t a full fledged sour, it still provides enough of that “oomph” you get from a sour ale that will have any sour fan coming back for more.
Four Squared (5.6%): And then there was one. The Four Squared is a dry-hopped American pale ale that is a great beginner beer for anyone looking to get into IPAs (measures in at 42 IBUs). The beer is extremely tropical and dry thanks to the hops that make up its juicy composition. Four Squared is dry-hopped with Crystal, Amarillo and Mosaic hops, all of which are lower acid aroma powerhouses.
Thank you for checking out the Real Ale Brewery Review. Be sure to subscribe to our website and check out more posts by the Drunken Traveler.
