Real Ale is a regional-sized, privately-owned brewery that is located in Blanco, Texas, just a short drive north of San Antonio. And since it is so close, I make frequent runs to their tap room (now a beer garden) to sample their brews and I also buy their beers regularly in the store. And while I don’t count the Swifty APA (American Pale Ale) as my favorite Real Ale selection, it is definitely a solid choice and one that I return to frequently.
Real Ale has this to say about the Swifty on their website:
Swifty is a refreshing revival of a classic American style – the American Pale Ale. With a light-medium body and bright citrus hops, Swifty APA delivers bold flavor, remarkable balance, and thirst-quenching crushability.
I consider myself a Pale Ale and IPA guy, and this one holds up well in that category. But consider this one more of a starter Pale Ale and not nearly as intimidating as some of the concoctions out there with lots of ingredients and lots of words in the name. It has some bitterness and it has some hoppiness with a nice citrus balance. But it is neither too bitter nor hoppy, and it is definitely not one that I would call a fruity beer. It has a mildness to it that is actually quite refreshing, and I believe this one would appeal to the broader palate. It is also not a real high alcohol beer like some Pale Ales, coming in right at 5%.
Personally, I really like a hoppy beer and I can take the bitterness, but those Pale Ales do not always pair well with spicy food. They tend to go better with a milder dish that will not be conflicting with the flavors of the beer and setting your taste buds at war with themselves (you gotta hate when there is a battle like that in your mouth!). And that’s what makes the Swifty APA beer a good choice to pair with spicier food. It has a cleaner flavor that offsets and even compliments the right spicy dish. I’ll pour this one with my dinner and then maybe reach for the bolder IPA a little bit later.
If you have ever had Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, I consider it similar to that, but the Swifty is no pale imitation. (Or Pale Ale imitation . . . or . . . . nevermind . . .) It has a similar bitterness level and I would say a little less hoppy than the Sierra Nevada, though I have never taste-tested this side-by-side. (Come to think about it, I haven’t had a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in a while. Time to head to the store . . .) Both appeal to a broader audience, and both pair well with a spicy dish.
The Swifty APA is widely available in cans in markets here in San Antonio, and Real Ale beers are available all across Texas (if you live outside the state, you’re gonna have to cross the border to get you some of these brews). It is one of many of the brewery’s choices available in stores and local restaurants, and always a good option. And if you happen to be driving through Blanco, Texas, be sure to stop and sample a few more Real Ale beers (including several exclusives) at their new beer garden (replacing the tap room) which is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays. The Swifty is a good one to start with, but they have plenty more beyond that.
Tale of the Tape:
Serving Size: 12 fl oz
ABV: 5.2%
IBU: 40
Calories: 150