Millstream Brewing Company - Iowa Pale Ale

Millstream’s year-round IPA pours a rich amber color topped with a head of light khaki foam that laces well as it recedes. Hop aromas are quite fruity, with big citrus notes reminiscent of candied orange and lemon bolstered by piney and floral qualities. It's quite complex, but that's no surprise given the five different hop varieties Millstream uses (more when one considers that Falconer's Flight is itself a blend of several different Pacific NW hop varieties). There’s a good dose of caramel and Munich malt underneath it all, and this malt backbone really makes itself known in the flavor department too. Millstream built this IPA to be a bit more mild and balanced than some others in the style, and we like what they’ve done. Expect plenty of toasty bread and caramel, while the hops deliver a firm dash of bitterness without going stratospheric. Millstream dry-hopped this brew extensively in order to infuse lots of hoppy flavors without amping up the bitterness too much, thus striking a well-balanced approach with the malt core. The brewery recommends pairing this IPA with spicy Cajun and Thai dishes, strong cheeses like Gruyere, and proteins as diverse as lamb, beef, game, ahi tuna, and seared scallops. Cheers!

If ever there was a place long overdue for a new brewery, it was Amana, IA. Until the Millstream Brewing Company opened their doors in 1985, the area had not been graced by the presence of a brewery for over 100 years. Why it took that long to get a brewery going in Amana, we don't know. What we do know is that the Millstream Brewing Company, founded by brothers James & Dennis Roemig and Carroll F. Zuber, was the first microbrewery in the state of Iowa, and was born out of a love for the finest European ales & lagers and the will to brew great, handcrafted beers locally. Oh, another thing we know... 35 years after their beers hit the market, they just keep getting better!

In 2001 the brewery was sold to its current owners, Chris Priebe and Tom & Teresa Albert. Master brewer Chris trained at Chicago's world-famous Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, so rest assured, his brewing skills make the cut on paper... But hey, paper doesn't taste all that great, so get to the tasting notes below and pour a couple Millstream beers for the real proof.

If you're ever in the area of Amana, IA, stop by Millstream's Brau Haus for some tasty German pub fare in addition to their excellent beers (as well as their hand-crafted root beer, ginger beer, and cream soda). For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call 319-622-3672 or check out their web site at www.millstreambrewing.com .