Omission Pale Ale by Widmer Brothers

As my eyes scanned the beer list a mental scratch line went through everything. Michelob Golden Light? Might as well have water. Summit EPA? SO good, but I want to try something new. Leinenkugel's? Oh, they're out of that. Omission Pale Ale (gluten free)? Pale Ale is great, but I don't mind gluten. So, why drink a beer that was made with compromises? Because?

Ultimately, I did have the Omission and without spending too much time, let's just say it was the antithesis of "unremarkable." My first impression was that it had an excellent color of reddish brown, and upon sipping was surprised that the gluten-free wasn't noticeable. However, as hinted earlier, there wasn't much of anything to notice. No hints of fruit, spikes of hops, or a rusty aftertaste. Nothing. It went down smooth and down easy. I imagine this beer deep in the heart of Men in Blacks unassuming headquarters, and thousands of these bottles are being shipped out while MIB Agent Zed (Rip Torn) tells them, "From now on you'll have no identifying marks of any kind. You'll not stand out in any way. Your entire image is crafted to leave no lasting memory with anyone you encounter. You're a rumor, recognizable only as deja vu and dismissed just as quickly. You don't exist; you were never even born. Anonymity is your name. Silence your native tongue." It tasted like a Pale Ale, but it left nothing to grasp at.

VERDICT: One thumb down. I finished it, but will not be having another one anytime soon.

SUMMARY: Gluten-free beers can be just as unremarkable and boring as regular beer.

PAIRING: Would go well with a black suit, tie, shades and a standard-issue neuralizer.