Hillside Pale Ale

Best of Show, 2000 Wizards Home-brew Competition

Hillside Pale Ale
Served Exclusively at the Horseshoe Pub, Hudson, MA

Home-brewed at Hillside Brewing Company, Comerically Brewed at Deja-Brew

Look for the white tap handle - or just look here:

The Story of Hillside Pale Ale

Hillside Pale was first brewed in 1998 in preparation for the first ever brew-day of the WIZARDS Home-brew club. It came out so good it was served on Brew Day and brewed again! Since then, the recipe has evolved a little over time but essentially remains the same.

On March 3, 1999 Hillside Pale Ale was put to its first test. That night the WIZARDS hosted an evening with homebrew guru and legend, Charlie Papazian, at the Plantation Club in Worcester. In front of a crowd of 100 plus people, Hillside was served to Charlie. He thought it was smoother and creamier but not quite as hoppy as the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, the beer on which Hillside is loosely based. He did ask for seconds.

The second test came the following winter when Hillside Pale Ale was entered into the Boston Wort Processor's Annual Home-brew Competition. Not only did it win the gold medal in its American Pale Ale category over 38 other brews, it received honors as an MCAB qualifier.

The third and final test was the 2000 Wizards Annual Home-brew competition. This competition, sponsored by Strangebrew, Deja-Brew and the Horseshoe Pub, puts the best of show winner on tap at the pub. From May, 2000 to May, 2001 Hillside Pale Ale was brewed comercially by Deja-brew and available on tap at the Horseshoe Pub. It tasted great - Ray did a terrific job at making the commercial version every bit as good as the first one brewed back in 1998! Sadly, HPA is no longer available in the commercial market. But it continues to thrive with homebrewers everywhere!

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