Ballantine XXX Ale

In 1840, Scottish immigrant, Peter Ballantine, moved to New Jersey and began brewing ale.
By 1895, Ballantine was one of the top five brewing companies in the United States.
Unfortunately, like many other brewing firms, Prohibition dealt the business a body blow, and
after that failed experiment in social engineering was abandoned, Ballantine was sold to Carl
and Otto Badenhausen, who brought in a Scottish brewmaster, Archibald MacKenchnie, who
help to revitalize the business. In the 1940s and 1950s Ballantine was a major New York City
sports sponsor, with Yankee announcer, Mel Allen calling every Yankee home run a "Ballantine
Blast". The consolidation trend has resulted in Ballantine becoming a Pabst product
(since 1999). It is still sold in the New York City region.

Ballantine XXX (triple export) Ale is 4.85% alcohol and has "hefty bitterness and aromatic hop
character." Apparently, Ballantine is a hybrid beer, as the brand website states it is fermented
"at higher temperatures for that 'ale' likeness, Ballantine combines a lager's best attributes with
the smoothness of an ale."

This writer has tried Ballantine a few times and found it to be an enjoyable and unusual beer. I hope to be able to try it again.