Sitting Pretty American Pale Ale

Billed as one of Black Lab Brewing’s flagship offerings, Sitting Pretty American Pale Ale leapt out at me because of the use of rye malt, alongside Citra and Barbe Rouge. Sold in attractive 500mL bottles, the 4.5% ale looks pretty good too—a hazy, dull gold brew under a layer of eggshell foam.

The Toronto-born APA has a bitter, tangy grapefruit nose. For flavour, Sitting Pretty pairs citrus with a slightly floral note to create a mellow yet crisp offering, with a hefty taste that belies its low alcohol stats.

Like a good flagship beer should, Sitting Pretty is uncomplicated, but it isn’t simple. An eminently quaffable APA, SP provides a plus amount of flavour while delivering a session-friendly experience, leaving the drinker eager for more, but not buffeted with tricks and flash. If I were holding the leash, I might have pulled this one up to 5% and given free rein to the rye elements, but what came in the bottle was perfectly agreeable.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.