West – Apache

West Brewery’s Apache is their American-style pale ale — a deliberate departure from the German Reinheitsgebot purity law beers that form the core of their range, and a nod to the hop-forward, citrus-driven pale ales that define modern American craft brewing. West are based in the magnificent Templeton Building on Glasgow Green and normally brew exclusively to the German purity tradition, which makes Apache something of an outlier in their lineup — and a very welcome one.

Tasting Notes

Apache pours a clear pale golden colour with a white head. The nose is immediately hop-forward and citrusy — grapefruit and tropical fruit character that’s punchy and fresh. On the palate the hops dominate in the best way: citrus and tropical fruit upfront, a moderate bitterness building through the mid-palate, and a clean, dry, hoppy finish. The malt base is clean and unobtrusive, letting the hops do all the talking. It’s a well-made American pale ale with real zip to it.

Verdict

Serve cold and drink it fresh. West Apache is a great beer to order if you love their Heidi Weisse but fancy something with more hop punch. It shows that West can step outside their German tradition and produce something equally excellent in a very different style. Dangerously drinkable — the name is not misleading.