Pale Ales — Fremont Brewing Co. vs. Lazy Boy Brewing

Fremont Brewing Co.
Summer Solstice
ABV 5.2%

Color: Clear, yellow/gold.
Aroma: Grain, lemon peel, apricot.
Flavor: Grapefruit and lemon.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Hoppy
Finish: Citrus bitterness with some grain coming in late.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good

Lazy Boy Brewing
Dumb Luck Pale Ale
ABV 5.8%

Color: Clear, amber/copper.
Aroma: Sweet malts with funky, earthy, piny hop notes.
Flavor: Mostly roasted sweet malts.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Hoppy
Finish: Long-lasting pine resin bitterness.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Mediocre

Blow by Blow

On a recent trip to Vashon Island with some friends we brought along two bottles to battle as part of the festivities. The group included some heavy hitters in the northwest homebrew community as well as some very experienced palates so the beers were in for a true test.

The confrontation featured two beers falling into the pale ale category that will be competing for your hard earned cash this summer. In one corner we had the Fremont Brewing Summer Solstice from Seattle and in the other corner we had the Dumb Luck Pale Ale from Lazy Boy Brewing in Everett.

As a graphic designer, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my disdain for the Lazy Boy label. I’m hoping that this is just a temporary change since I’ve always thought that their original labels were pretty good — bright, colorful and befitting of their name. I must admit that I was drawn to the new label, but not because it was impressive, rather because it was so stark and uninspired. I realize that with a name like Dumb Luck the designer didn’t have much to work with, but wow, it comes across as downright, um, lazy. I know that may have been the point, but it doesn't make it look any better.

The beers themselves were both decent, but all seven of us chose the Summer Solstice as it was just a solid beer with a nice, refreshing burst of citrus that carried through from the aroma all the way to the finish — perfect for hot weather drinking (now if we could only get some hot weather). The Dumb Luck was a totally different animal, darker in color, with some funky hop notes in the aroma, a malty flavor and a pine resiny, bitter finish. Not bad, but not up to the competition.

Big thanks to our guest tasters, Bekky, Emily, Colin, Mark and Rick “the lawn dart technician” for participating in the battle.

Winner by unanimous decision: Fremont Summer Solstice

IPAs — Fremont Brewing Co. vs. Two Beers Brewing Co.

Fremont Brewing Co.
Interurban IPA
ABV 6.2%

Color: Golden yellow.
Aroma: Floral and citrus hops.
Flavor: Bright citrus.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Hoppy
Finish: Moderate grapefruit rind.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good +

Two Beers Brewing Co.
Evolutionary IPA
ABV 6.2%

Color: Reddish amber.
Aroma: Sweet roasted malts, touch of citrus and pine.
Flavor: Honey with lemon and pine.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Hoppy
Finish: Long, burnt, almost ashy bitterness.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good -

Blow by Blow

This battle featured IPAs from two newish Seattle breweries jockeying for a place in a saturated IPA market. We love supporting local breweries and we love IPA, so game on! Joining us for this battle was esteemed macro-canned beer afficionado, Sarah.

One of the key things in an IPA for us is a bright hoppy aroma and the Interurban really delivered with classic floral and citrus notes. The Evolutionary, on the other hand, had more sweet roasted malts in the aroma with a bit of pine and citrus lurking in the background. Honestly, the smell reminded us more of an amber than an IPA.

The flavor in the Evolutionary was more in line with what you’d expect from an IPA with a nice lemon, honey and pine combination. The Interurban was up to the challenge though and countered with some great citrus flavors.

In the finish the Interurban asserted itself and claimed the victory with a moderate grapefruit rind bitterness that Ellen and I liked far more than the long-lasting burnt, ashy hop bitterness of the Evolutionary.

The decision, however, was not unanimous. Sarah chose the Evolutionary as she thought it was smoother as opposed to the mouth-puckering (her words) citrus hoppiness of the Interurban. We think this probably had to do with hop tolerance. Our hop-hungry palates were drawn to the beer that had a bigger hop profile, while her sensitive, hop-deprived palate sought something a bit more mellow. Take note and purchase accordingly, as both are well made and worth buying.

Winner by majority decision: Fremont Brewing Company