It’s a Saturday afternoon, and the game is going to start in an hour. Friends are going to be there soon. So there you are, in the yard grilling and drinking a beer or three. Having a few while grilling is as American as apple pie and debt. Before too long, you get the feeling that you’ve made a miscalculation. Your thoughts start to get as hazy as the strong IPA you’re drinking, and you suddenly feel like a nap sounds far better than it should.
What can you do to make that little corner of the American Dream last longer? First, check the strength of what you’re drinking. Beers with a boozy ABV will catch up fast. Second, check out a lighter beer.
You could try Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale. It’s like a sessional beer, but without being boring. Sure, when you crack the can open, you get a nose full of hops reminiscent of a stronger IPA but have no fear! Coming in at around 5.2 ABV, this light, crisp beer holds its own against most pale ales out there.
The grill is lit, the coals are almost ready, and the beer isn’t forcing an early nap. That sounds like a perfect Saturday afternoon. As we all know, friends and gatherings come and go, so it’s nice to actually remember the good times! Field 41 delivers everything you need in a beer without the memory loss.
Bring a half rack to the next hangout, and your friends will welcome you with open arms.
Let’s break it down for those interested in getting to know this PNW favorite.
The Method
My first thought when reviewing a beer is, “Does this look tasty?” I’ll pour a glass and wait for the head to settle. A quick swirl of the glass releases the aroma, which has had time to mellow after first opening the can.
Next comes the tasting, where I get to enjoy the subtle notes of each beer. Some aren’t that subtle. Others are almost too smooth and lack any bite.
Mouthfeel goes a long way in how enjoyable a beer is. If it leaves your mouth feeling dry or coated, it’s probably not going to be very refreshing.
The Audience
The Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale is brewed to be a refreshing, drinkable, session beer. If you’re looking for a strong, higher alcohol content beer, this isn’t for you. However, this is a good candidate if you want a beer that lets you enjoy the party from start to finish without blacking out.
Bale Breaker Brewing
New beers and breweries pop up every day. Making a quality beer that can earn a spot on the shelf of a grocery store for years is next to impossible. The fine people at Bale Breaker Brewing have done just that.
Bale Breaker Brewing has been supplying craft beers to the public since 2012. In that time, they’ve become Washington State’s third largest craft beer producer. That’s a pretty fast climb, so they must be doing something right.
With the introduction of Field 41 as their flagship beer in 2013, they received quite a bit of positive feedback from area brew masters and beer drinkers alike. The marketplaces around the PNW soon started stocking their shelves, and people began filling their coolers.
Named for the field the brewery is built on, Field 41 has become one of the most popular brews for Bale Breaker Brewing.
The brewery has a taproom with several varieties available. You can bring your kids along, whether they’re actual children or your furry friends. The brewery has no food available, though they often host food trucks.
Kevin Smith, Meghann Quinn, and Kevin Quinn own and run Bale Breaker Brewing. They’ve been around hops their entire lives and even built the brewery on a portion of the hops farm. A close relationship exists between the brewery and its growers.
If you find yourself in the Yakima area, be sure to swing into the brewery and say hi. The taproom and availability of growlers will make you glad you did.
Field 41 Pale Ale
Field 41 Pale Ale is perfect for those searching for an easy-drinking beer while exploring the great outdoors. Its lower 5.2 ABV makes it a solid contender for your trip without being too boozy and smacking you in the face with hops.
The pour is a tad heady, and it dissipates rather slowly. Before tackling this beer from a glass, I found it best to let it rest for a few minutes. The fragrances come out much cleaner once it’s had a chance to acclimate.
Field 41 Pale Ale is a light-bodied, golden caramel-colored beer that delivers its dry-hopped flavor without attacking your tastebuds. The finish has a subtle bitterness, ending with a crisp mouthfeel. Comparing this to an IPA shows that the finish here is much more subtle, though the hop flavor translates well.
Drinking from the can is a slightly different experience than a glass. The aroma of hops and citrus carries longer than in the glass, and the head is contained.
Overall, this beer has definite pros and cons, though if you’re a hoppy beer fan, this should be considered.
The Pros and Cons of the Field 41
A good beer doesn’t have to hit every note to be worth the time. Sometimes, all you want is a session ale that holds its own. This beer fills that need. It’s an easy-drinking pale ale that doesn’t take itself too seriously and doesn’t disappoint.
The drinkability is definitely worth the cost of admission. It’s not a cheap beer by any means, although the complexities of the tasting deliver.
Lower ABV means this can be enjoyed as a session beer. There’s a call for lower alcohol beers, and this one fills that spot admirably.
Who doesn’t love a hoppy beer that’s nowhere near as bitter as an IPA? Plus, the citrus of the hops really stands out.
Crisp and clean at the finish means there’s no lingering beery taste hanging around. A slight bitterness finishes the taste and leaves you feeling refreshed.
At times you may wonder what this beer is trying to achieve. Is it a pale ale that wants to be an IPA? Or is it an IPA that forgot how to produce a decent ABV? This could do the job if you’re looking for an IPA substitute with a lower ABV.
The biggest con for this beer is the lack of availability. The brewers have toyed with ending this line, though they keep producing just enough to keep it on some shelves. It could end its run at any time.
How Many Calories in a Bale Breaker Field 41
Now you may be thinking, “Sure, I could drink this beer, but how many calories in a Bale Breaker Field 41?” That’s a good question. Coming in at 150 calories per pour, this beer won’t break the waistline too quickly. The idea that you can drink this beer while out on the water and burning calories means you should be able to cancel out a decent amount of them.
The calories aren’t as low as some other pale ales, though it doesn’t come in nearly as high as others. A middle road calorie count sort of defines the rest of the beer. It’s not the very best out there, but it’s far from the worst. Middle of the road isn’t a bad place to be. It’s still in the game.
I will say that it has more flavor than a lot of pale ales I’ve tried. It’s definitely a hops-forward beer, though it chases that with a citrus aroma before finishing with a bit of a bitter, peppery flourish. It’s a good beer, and it’s from a locally sourced and owned brewery.
The Rating
Overall, I give this beer a 4 out of 5. I enjoyed the hop-forward flavor and the citrus aroma. While I still prefer a solid IPA or a well-crafted Trippel, I appreciate the need for a lighter ABV.
Taste: 4/5 Smooth, light, and hoppy with a clean, slightly bitter finish.
Pour: 3/5 Decent coloring, a lovely caramel hue. Thick head that dissipates slowly.
Aroma: 5/5 Defined hoppy aroma with some spice and more robust citrus notes.
Bang for your buck: 4/5 Worth the cost, though it doesn’t stand head and shoulders above other pale ales that come in at a lower price point.
The Verdict
Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale is a great beer crafted for session drinking. I’ve given it a solid 4 out of 5. Who doesn’t love a smooth, crisp, and refreshing beverage while out with friends? This is a good choice for those Saturday cookouts.
This beer holds its own against most pale ales on the market. Bale Breaker Brewing Company has a hit on its hands.
I would recommend this beer to those that like a hoppy flavor without the bitterness. It tastes its best when you’re on the river, and it’s in your cooler.