DISH OF THE WEEK: Nitro Pale Ale at CIRCA BREWING COMPANY

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

I’m not sure it’s ever happened before that I started off drinking a beer thinking this is not for me, then became intrigued by it, and eventually ended up craving another two glasses. That was the very weird phenomenon I experienced with the Nitro American Pale Ale at Circa Brewing Company.

I wasn’t overly impressed with my first visit to this brewpub in the middle of the transforming downtown Brooklyn area. The beers were hit or miss and I didn’t love the pizza. I actually came back to try another pie (look for a review soon), but figured I should also have some beer to pair with the pizza.

The Nitro American Pale Ale sounded interesting enough and has been on their menu both times I visited (curiously, it’s not currently on their online menu).

Stouts or coffee inspired beers are the natural candidates for an infusion of nitrogen since they take well to a creamy mouthfeel. Pale ales, in my initial opinion, not so much.

And on first sip, I felt justified. It was weird to have that creamy finish with an upfront hop experience. The two worked against each other in my mind and actually made the beer a bit flat tasting.

On the subsequent sips, I started to come around to the idea. A grapefruit or pineapple milk shake doesn’t sound like a good idea at first but can actually be quite tasty.

Grapefruit notes from the hops dominated in the flavor department but I found it mildly bitter due to the nitro. It became very easy to drink and I think this could be a way for a non-hophead to take to an aromatic pale ale.

This was ultimately a revelation for me because after I paid my check and was walking back to the subway, my mouth started craving the creamy hoppy sensation once again. This was a beer that I didn’t fully understand at first but when I stuck with it, it became almost too difficult to resist. Price: $8