94 Green Line Pale Ale, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 5% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}
Beautiful golden amber color. Fresh buttery and salty baguette, lemon curd, melon and light cream aromas and flavors with dry-yet-fruity medium body and a seamlessly balance toasty, citrusy hop finish. Fantastically fresh, balanced and sessionable.
92 Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 5% ABV (3/10)
Aromas of honeyed raisin toast, peach butter, jasmine and orange marmalade follow through on a round, creamy entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with banana pudding note and great smoothness. Finishes with a long, creamy citrus nut and earth-accented fade. A delicious and wonderfully balanced pale ale.
91 Independence Hop Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 6% ABV (3/09)
Hazy copper color with a lacy manila head. Aromas of maple-nut fudge, multigrain raisin bread and citrus custard follow through on a smooth, supple entry to a dryish medium body with a nice interplay of dried grapefruit, nut skins and earthy-floral hops on the zesty finish. Nice layers of flavor in a very food friendly frame.
91 Mt. Tam Pale Ale, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 5.5% ABV (3/09)
Deep amber color with lacy white head. Interesting aromas of grapefruits, nut pancakes and beets follow through on a round entry to a dry medium body with dried citrus peel notes and touch of honey, cocoa and spice on the crisp finish. A sturdy sipper.
91 Piper’s Pale Ale, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5% ABV (3/10)
Deep amber color. Generous, fresh toasted baguette aroma is very attractive and pure and follow through on a round, even entry to a dry medium body with a hint of brown butter and a mineral and mossy hop fade. More of a British-style pale and very well done and highly drinkable.
91 Red Chair NWPA, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 6.4% ABV (3/10)
Brilliant amber color. Aromas of roasted pepper and meat with spicy warm raisin compote and mint follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with hints of brown sugar and cocoa. Finishes with a long, roasted nut, chocolate mint and citrus marmalade fade. Very tasty and interesting.
91 Full Sail Pale Ale, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.4% ABV (2/11)
Pale amber color. Lightly fruity, spicy and crusty apple and pear tart aromas with a crisp, round dryish medium-to-full body and a tangy grilled citrus and pine-accented finish. Nicely balanced and very drinkable.
91 Tipperary Pale Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 5% ABV (3/11)
Bright amber color. Aromas of peach pie, honeyed grapefruit zest, zucchini bread and pine needle with a creamy, crisp dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with graham cracker s’more, grilled yellow pepper and peppery radish- and onion sprout-like hops on the finish. A rich and delicious beer and quenches and satisfies.
91 Burning River Pale Ale, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 6% ABV (3/11)
Pale amber color. Aromas of nut butter and brittle, vegetable frittata and raisin scone with a round, supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, wonderful, balanced roasted root vegetable, citrus compote and leafy greens finish. A great food beer.
90 Juniper Pale Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (3/11)
Golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of dried peach, lemon and pine with a tart, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a hint of bark and mint. Very sessionable and attractive.
90 Dale’s Pale Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Bright copper color. Aromas of raisin bread toast, apricot and lemon marmalade with a round, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a zesty citrus, nut and grassy hop finish. A go-to session beer for hopheads and regular folk.
89 Hopyard Pale Ale, Garrison Brewing Co. (Canada). 5.3% ABV (3/10)
Brilliant amber color. Aromas of caramelized peach, pretzel and golden raisin toast follow through on a round, plush entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great balance and a hint of roasted nuts. Finishes with a long, chewy roasted grain and citrus hop fade with near perfect astringency.
89 Impeller Pale Ale, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 5.8% ABV (2/11) %{Brewpub}
Slightly hazy amber color. Aromas of buttery peach Danish, lemon curd and mint with a supple, dryish medium body and a smooth, roasted nut and peppery arugula finish. Very nice and food friendly.
88 Pale Ale, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 5.2% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Bright medium amber color. Dense aromas of piney, citrusy hops and honey follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium body with toasty, biscuity caramelized malt with a touch of salty roasted vegetable and kale. Finishes with a zesty pine sap and porridge-accented fade.
88 Wyld Organic Extra Pale Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (9/10)
Golden amber color. Aromas of grapefruit marmalade on toasted raisin bread. Round and buoyant with a dryish light-to-medium body. Crisp lively grassy earth- and grain-accented finish with good astringency. A nice, easy drinking lighter styled American pale ale.
88 Pale Ale, Walker Brown (NY). 5.3% ABV (3/11)
Amber color. Aromas of buttery praline cookie and honeyed peach tart with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a frothy, lemon chiffon and grassy, leafy green hop finish. A nice quaffable brew.
87 Pale Ale, Tap Room 21 (CA). 5.3% ABV (3/11)
Bright amber color. Aromas of peach cobbler and buttery praline with a supple, silky dry-yet-fruity medium and a lemon pepper, root vegetable and escarole-accented finish. A nice quaffer.
87 Pale Ale, Cable Car (CA). 5.3% ABV (3/11)
Bright amber color. Aromas of peach jam on sourdough toast and lemon pudding with a supple, dryish medium body and a peppery, minerally, water chestnut and frisée-like hop finish. A nice easy-drinking pale ale.
87 Track Town Triple Jump Pale Ale, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 5.5% ABV (3/11)
Gold amber color with no head. Aromas of orange caramel and peach marmalade on rye toast with a crisp, round, dryish medium body and a well-balanced grainy bread and peppery hop snap. A nicely styled hop-forward American pale ale.
87 Grizzly Peak Pale Ale, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 5.2% ABV (2/11) %{Brewpub}
Bright amber color. Aromas of buttery praline, dates, creamy lemon curd and dusty pine with a supple, finely carbonated dry-yet-fruity medium body with a sautéed mustard green and parsnip finish, and baked citrus and peppered arugula-like hops. A savory food beer; try with meatloaf.
86 Pocono Pale Ale, The Lion Brewery (PA). 5.3% ABV (3/09)
Brilliant amber color with a full fine blanket of foam. Aromas of creamy nougat, toasted grain, dried flowers and citrus follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with tangy citrus fruit and roasted root vegetable notes. Finishes with a round, even pine and mineral-accented fade.
86 Pale Ale, Roscoe’s Hop House (NY). 5.3% ABV (3/11)
Bright amber color. Peach cobbler and orange marmalade aromas and flavors with a silky dryish medium body and a coconut custard, parsnip and arugula-like finish.
86 Steelhead Extra Pale Ale, Mad River Brewing Co. (CA). 5.6% ABV (3/11)
Old gold color. Funky aromas of sweaty hard cheese rind, gym bag and crusty buttered baguette with a supple, dryish medium body and cheese crostini, lemon curd, water chestnut and kale-accented finish. An earthy, savory food beer.
86 28 Pale Ale, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 4.8% ABV (3/11)
Aromas of crusty orange and peach pastry breads and grapefruit-lemon pudding with a round, gentle dry-yet-fruity medium body and a honeyed dried fruit, warm tapioca and watercress-like hop finish.
86 Point Cascade Pale Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.4% ABV (3/11)
Bright golden amber color. Aromas of dusty cabbages and turnips, bread crust and dried peaches and pears with a silky dry-yet-fruity medium body and a grapefruit soufflé, sautéed sweet potato and red oak lettuce-like hop finish. An easy-drinking pale ale.
85 Kujukuri Ocean Beer Pale Ale, Kankiku Meijyo Co. (Japan). 5% ABV (2/10)
Bright golden amber color. Yeasty toast grain and bread aromas have a lash of roasted vegetable and apple cider vinegar and follow through on a creamy entry to a sourish light-to-medium body with browned apple, dried lemon and earthy, mossy hops on the lightly astringent finish. Slightly infected, but a solid food beer underneath.
85 Pale Ale, Wingwalker (WI). 5.3% ABV (3/11)
Pale amber color. Aromas and flavors of praline, lemon curd and toasted bread with a crisp entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body and a soft grassy hop-accented finish. Pleasant.
84 Sand Creek Pale Ale, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 4.2% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Hazy pale golden amber color. Fruity honeyed grapefruit, pine needle and Hawaiian bread aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with delicate notes of omelet and brioche. Finishes with a very crisp and astringent grassy and citrusy hop bite.
84 Stegmaier Pale Ale, The Lion Brewery (PA). 4.3% ABV (3/11)
Golden amber color. Bright aromas of orange and apricot marmalades on a buttery cinnamon roll with a crisp, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a peach cream cheese pastry, sautéed squash and peppery broccoli rabe-like hop finish.
83 Pale Ale, Moosehead Breweries Ltd. (Canada). 5% ABV (3/10)
Golden yellow color. Mild egg sandwich aromas follow through on a crisp, frothy entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with a touch of canned corn and a quick white toast and lemon pith-accented finish.
82 Cardinal Pale Ale, Nebraska Brewing Co. (NE). 5.8% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Pale amber color. Bright aromas of honeyed grapefruit, kumquat and pine with a touch of peach marmalade underneath follow through on a zesty entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a dash of nut toast lending support. Finishes with roasted root vegetable, herbal honey and pinecone accents on the citrus hop-dominated fade. A bit too heavy-handed and unbalanced.
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