Nickel Brook has accomplished a rare feat by releasing a mixed pack that I can happily recommend. They call it the Brew Lab Series Summer Mixed Pack and it includes one 473-ml can of Naughty Neighbour, Continental Drift, Cause and Effect and Equilibrium.

The great strength of this four-beer collection is that it makes sense from the drinker's perspective. And the components actually go well together. If there's one that lags the field, I guess it's Cause and Effect Blonde. The other three, all widely different interpretations of a pale ale, give an excellent view on head brewer Ryan Morrow’s remarkable genius.

I was pulled into the idea of this mixed pack by Naughty Neighbour (a strong competitor in the crowded American-style pale ale division), but it’s the inclusion of Equilibrium ESB that I appreciate most. I have only had this beer pulled from cask so it was eye-opening to try it at home, beside two of its stylistic cousins.

Equilibrium is a hazy orange-amber with a finger of resilient, light beige head. True to Extra Special Bitter style the aroma and flavour both emphasize caramel, malty bread notes. There is just the right amount of pine-and-citrus hop presence to counterpunch these sweet flavours and keep the whole picture in, well, equilibrium.

ESB is a sub-category of English-style pale ale, which is stronger than either best or ordinary bitter. At a minimum ABV of 4.8% they fall in the middle of the range for North American beer. But in the UK a stronger emphasis on multi-pint session drinking and a closer connection between taxes and ABV mean that most beer sold in pubs there is lower in alcohol.

Take the mixed pack for a spin and let me know in the comments below what you thought was the highlight.

Nickel Brook Summer Mixed Pack, $11.50 for 4 X 473-ml cans, LCBO #424242