Dig Pale Ale

New Belgium Brewing – Ft. Collins, Colorado

Dig — “Faint scents of mango and peach are tinged with lemon, lime, grapefruit and light pine.”

For May, I wanted to recommend Anchor’s Liberty Ale; however, that plan went to hell when I discovered that the freshest Liberty Ale available locally was bottled last September. By now, all that invigorating citrus has faded and the beer is speeding toward Cardboard City. (I know that because I bought one of those old six-packs.) So, until there is fresher Liberty Ale around, grab a bottle of New Belgium’s Dig.

Fitting for springtime garden work and the May flowers that should pop up after all those April showers, Dig is an earthy, grassy pale ale that offers a nice bite and hints of refreshing citrus and tropical fruit. The citrus is not as prominent as New Belgium advertises, but it is still a good seasonal brew.

Serve in a tulip glass. The color is copper with an amber tint. (When I first drank Dig, I said to myself “That’s pretty f***ing dark for a pale ale.”) Earthy, grassy hops dominate the aroma, which is fitting. The citrus and tropical fruit New Belgium hypes are there, too, but one needs to “dig” for them. Faint scents of mango and peach are tinged with lemon, lime, grapefruit and light pine. As the beer warms, though, the tropical fruit becomes more prominent and a sticky-sweet element, reminiscent of honey or syrup, emerges.

The flavor is earthy like the smell, and also slightly metallic; however, the earthiness eventually gives way to a nice balance that is neither sweet nor bitter. The malts emerge and fuse with flavors of citrus and tropical fruit. Sweet caramel, toffee, mango, lemon, lime, grapefruit and pine are also noticeable flavors. Despite not being overly bitter, Dig offers a nice bite.

Note: As a seasonal beer, Dig Pale Ale is somewhat of a rarity at the moment. We suggest calling your liquor store in advance to ensure its availability.

Serving temperature: The label suggests serving at “7ºC (45ºF).”
Alcohol content: 5.6 percent ABV.
Food pairings: BeerAdvocate recommends Asian cuisine; earthy, nutty or tangy cheeses; salad and poultry.
Price: $8 per six-pack, $16 per 12-pack.

Food & Drink