Walking around Safeco Field last night (yes, my wife and I were two of the record-low 11,343 people in attendance!), we were pleasantly surprised to find a beer pouring that we had never seen before, or even heard of for that matter. The Freeride American Pale Ale (APA) is the first in the new Rough Draft Export Series from Alaskan Brewing, and it is available on draft throughout the PNW, including at Safeco Field. If I’m going to be spending $9.75 for a beer at the ballpark, at least I can try something new and interesting. And, interesting it was. The APA was full of citrus and melon hop flavors, with enough malt to give it a solid base. There is just a balancing bitterness, and at a low 5.3% ABV, this instantly becomes one of my go-to beers at the ballpark as long as it is around. We found it on tap at a cart somewhere near sections 116 to 124, as well as at the bar outside the Hit it Here Cafe on the second level (where they sell all the 22oz craft beer bottles).

More info on the Rough Draft Export Series and the Freeride APA from Alaskan:

ALASKAN ROUGH DRAFT EXPORT SERIES:
A SHOWCASE OF ALASKAN’S BEST SMALL BATCH BREWS

Alaskan Brewing has a unique research and development process for new recipes where anyone in the company can work with a brewer develop and brew a recipe on the 1-barrel pilot brew system with free reign to wander far away from traditional styles, ingredients and processes. For years, the favorites of these experimental recipes have been shared only in very limited draft releases – or “Rough Drafts” – with those lucky enough to live and imbibe in our home state of Alaska.

But now, Alaskan Brewing is “exporting” a selection of the best of these brews to taps outside of Alaska through the draft-only Rough Draft Export Series!

Alaskan is kicking of this new draft-only series with Alaskan Freeride APA, a floral, fruity and citrusy American Pale Ale that showcases the aroma and flavors of Citra, Centennial and Cascade hops with just enough malt backing to balance. Freeride features a lush green and almost tropical hop aroma paired with the unique taste combination of these three distinctive hop varieties, making it both full of flavor and crisply thirst-quenching.

Alaskan Freeride APA Brewer’s Notes:
First brewed on Alaskan’s pilot system in early 2011, Alaskan Freeride APA is a local Rough Draft Limited favorite and the perfect beer to launch the new Rough Draft Export series based on the Brew Crew’s picks. This refreshing and flavorful American Pale Ale is a springtime staple for Alaskan’s backcountry skiing and snowboarding crew as well as a perfect beer to savor on summertime kayaking and biking adventures. A medium maltiness lays down the tracks while a hoppy trifecta of Pacific Northwest hops used heavily in the boil and in dry-hopping amp up the unique combination of green, citrus and exotic fruit flavors.

Look for the Alaskan Rough Draft Export Freeride APA on draft in select locations this spring and summer throughout the Pacific Northwest, and check back here for news on which Export recipe is heading south next!