O’Fallon Zeke’s Pale Ale
Missouri’s O’Fallon Brewery introduced Zeke’s Pale Ale earlier this month and a couple of weeks later two samples showed up at the door. This 5.1% ABV (29 IBU) American Pale Ale isn’t what I would personally call sessionable, but damn, does it got down easy.
The brew is crafted with two-row, Bonlander and Honey malts and then dry hopped — the brewery uses the term burst-hopping though I’m not entirely sure what that means — with Galaxy hops. The result is a lightly bodied, refreshing beer that is well balanced and carries a good amount of citrusy hop character. This is one of those beers that I wouldn’t mind dragging along a sixer of to a neighborhood picnic or ball game. It’s an approachable, well-rounded brew.
Appearance
Zeke’s Pale Ale pours a golden amber in color with a resilient cap of tawny foam that left behind decent lacing as it dropped.
Aroma
Cereal, honey, lightly toasted bread, grapefruit and pineapple combine for a nose that is welcoming, clean and balanced.
Taste
This is a very easy drinking beer that starts off with grain, cereal and a soft toast before citrus, grass and light pine arrive smoothly. The hop bitterness is of a light-to-moderate nature and lingers gently in the clean finish. This is an even-keeled beer that arrives with a measured flavor profile and exits clean — well balanced and refreshing.
Overall
I was pleasantly surprised by Zeke’s Pale Ale. Honestly, I don’t know what I was expecting, but I don’t believe that it was going to be a beer this nicely balanced and so thoroughly easy drinking. Now, it’s not the best pale ale on the planet, but I can certainly see myself enjoying a couple of them after a long days work or out playing around with the kid and dogs.
Rating: 3.75/5
This is a review of a promotional sample from the brewery.
