In this episode of Matt Likes Beer, the Philadelphia beer tour continues as Matt cracks open Peace Valley Pale Ale from Free Will Brewing. Sent along by Dave from NeoZaz as part of the ongoing “Philadelphia Month” series, this American Pale Ale sparks both a deep BJCP-style evaluation and a few personal memories along the way.
Matt revisits his one and only trip to the brewery—part of a Philadelphia hockey weekend with friends—before diving into a full judging breakdown of the beer. Expect detailed notes on aroma, flavor, appearance, and mouthfeel, including bright fresh orange character, floral hop notes, bready malt, and a firm bitterness that pushes the pale ale toward IPA territory.
Along the way, Matt also reflects on the role of pale ales as a brewer’s benchmark style, shares stories about fundraiser beers and collaborative brewing projects, and explains why a great pale ale can tell you everything you need to know about a brewery.
The verdict? A standout beer scoring 46/50—Outstanding on the BJCP scale and tying for the highest score Matt has given this year.
Grab a pint and join the tasting.
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