Porkslap Pale Ale

As part of the 2008 Boston Beer Tour I picked up Porkslap Pale Ale. Dale's Pale Ale has proven that good beer can come in a can, so I took a flier on the Porkslap. With fliers, sometimes you come up empty. It wasn't until I sat down to drink it that I noticed the label said "All Malt." In the store, I was so taken with the jumping pigs that I overlooked this important tidbit.  Judging from the taste, there were no hops whatsoever in Porkslap. I would bet MD 20/20 has more hops. Hopless, Porkslap is like a girl with a nice body but a horrendous, ugly face. It left me longing for more and wondering what could have been. It's technically not even a Pale Ale, Malt Beverage would be more accurate. This beer is all gimmick. Don't be fooled by those cut little piggies on the can, Porkslap Pale Ale is terrible.   

Wachusett Green Monsta

Green Monsta: There are a of couple hints in the name that tell me this beer comes from Boston. Thanks to Jimmy Fallon, everyone knows Bostonians have a distinct accent, but what surprised me about the name is it's apparent they also spell the way they talk. Green Monsta is billed as "A Big Pale Ale," but nothing is bigger than Big Papi hanging with two chickas and a random guy hovering near his crotch. Thank God Big Papi isn't a Pale Ale. 

Green Monsta comes as advertised. It's light of body as a Pale Ale should be, but generously hopped like an IPA.  The concept is similar to Dale's Pale Ale, but Dale's is more IPA than PA. Green Monsta falls short of Dale's in terms of hop-malt balance, but I can't knock it. Green Monsta is a good hoppy chill out ale. Its Pale Ale body leaves room for another, while the hops impart a nice flavor. Green Monsta has a lemon aroma tempered by a touch of malt. The flavor is driven by hops with a general citrus fruitiness.