Matt Likes Beer – Episode 36 – Philadelphia Pale Ale

In Episode 36 of Matt Likes Beer, I dive deep into Philadelphia Pale Ale from Yards Brewing Company — a beer that comes with some serious expectations after Dave declared it his favorite beer in the entire Philadelphia series.

What starts as a simple review quickly turns into one of the most detailed beer breakdowns I’ve ever done on the show. We get into:
BJCP Category 18B American Pale Ale judging
Orange zest, floral hop aromas, grapefruit notes, and lingering bitterness
A fascinating discussion about hop backs and how Yards may be using them in production
Why pale ales are one of the most important styles for understanding both breweries and your own palate
Final score: 46/50 — Outstanding Beer

Along the way, I also rant about flights, defend pale ales from being called “boring,” and probably say “this is Dave’s favorite beer” way too many times.

If you love craft beer, brewing mechanics, BJCP-style analysis, or just hearing someone obsess over a really well-made pale ale for half an hour, this episode is for you.