Beer review — Moo Brew & Matilda Bay

Moo Brew Pale Ale 330ml $5.50
Today’s two beers, both purchased from the same retail outlet, show different faces of the American Pale Ale style – and critical importance of freshness. Moo Brew has this in spades. It’s an exciting, full-bodied ale cut with the brisk, resiny aroma and lingering bitterness of fresh hops. It’s a stunner.
*****

Matilda Bay Alpha Pale Ale 345ml $5.20
Even a month past its ‘best before’ date, Alpha was a more than respectable ale. But age had taken the edge off its hops character – a critical element of this robust beer style – leaving a rich, malty, bitter ale of some character but not the keen edge seen in fresh samples.
***