93 Track Town Triple Jump Pale Ale, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 5.5% ABV (3/10)
Minutely hazy amber color. Rich cocoa-dusted date, dried peach, raisin toast, pinecone and poached egg aromas follow through on a round, creamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with bright grapefruit custard notes. Finishes with long dimensional grapefruit and grassy hop fade. Vibrant and flavorful.
92 Blue Heron Pale Ale, BridgePort Brewing Co. (OR). 4.9% ABV (2/08)
Pale amber color. Buttery praline, caramel corn and roasted nut aromas. A round, soft entry leads to rich, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of toasted grain, cocoa-dusted golden raisins and dried peaches. Finishes with a crisp, honeyed toast fade with lovely and balanced bittering hops.
92 St. Ambroise Pale Ale, McAuslan Brewing Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (2/08)
Rich amber color with a thick fine head. Honey, nut and mild tropical fruit cocktail aromas. A soft, silky entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of honey-drizzled grilled citrus, praline and delicate cocoa-spice flavors. Finishes with a refreshingly crisp, honeyed raisin nut toast and ruby grapefruit fade. Delicately poised and deliciously quenching pale ale.
92 Burning River Pale Ale, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 6% ABV (2/08)
Brilliant pure amber color. Gorgeous aromas of honeyed nuts, dried peaches and oranges. Soft, round and very smooth on the entry this beer delivers a superb balance of caramelized-nut-like malt and zesty toasted citrus hop with a long, thirst quenching and properly astringent fade. A flavorful and inviting pale ale for the connoisseur or the novice.
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 Tipperary Pale Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 5.5% ABV (2/08)
Rich amber color. Bittersweet-covered espresso bean, roasted nut and baked citrus aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a velvety, dryish medium-to-full body of exotic roasted nuts and citrus, cocoa nibs and gingerly pepper spice. Finishes with a long, honeyed citrus, caramel and bittering hop fade. A wonderful example of a well-balanced and vibrant American style 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, nutskins 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 Full Sail Pale Ale, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.4% ABV (3/10)
Pleasing toasted baguette, poached egg and mild lemon curd aromas follow through on a round, satiny entry to a frothy dryish medium-to-full body with great balance and depth. Finishes with a long citrusy and earthy hop fade. Great balance and style.
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 Dale’s Pale Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 6.5% ABV (3/10)
Aromas of golden raisins, dried apricots and lemon curd on toast follow through on a round, zesty entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with great depth and balance. Finishes with a long, zesty citrus and praline fade. Delicious.
90 Juniper Pale Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (3/10)
Golden amber color. Aromas of creamy hazelnut mocha and peach marmalade on toast follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with tangy dried grapefruit and pinecone-like hop notes on the lightly honeyed, pleasantly astringent finish. Nice layers of flavor in a zesty, very approachable style.
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.
88 Haymaker Extra Pale Ale, BridgePort Brewing Co. (OR). 5.3% ABV (2/08)
Golden amber color. Orange blossom honey and toasted golden raisin bread aromas follow through to a vibrant, effervescent and fruity medium-to-full body with nice accents of perfumed stone fruits. Finishes with a brisk citrus and peach nectar fade and peppery astringency. A delicate ale very reminiscent of a classic British session beer.
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.
87 Lost Nation Pale Ale, Willoughby Brewing Co. (OH). 5.2% ABV (2/08) %{Brewpub}
Deep golden amber color with a lacy white head. Classic praline-like malt and fresh citrusy hop aromas follow through to a round, chewy and frothy medium body with a fine layer of pine resin. Finishes softly with nice combination of grilled citrus, honeyed toast and astringent resin. A nicely made American pale ale with solid drinkability.
87 Pale Ale, Roscoe’s Hop House (NY). 5.5% ABV (3/10)
Pale amber color. Aromas of buttery caramel fudge, roasted nuts, delicate dried citrus follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with a hint of golden raisin purée and root vegetable. Finishes with a wave of tangy, tart grapefruit, kumquat and grass notes that are balanced and refreshing. Solid and very drinkable.
86 Pale Ale, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 5.5% ABV (2/08)
Medium amber color. Curious aromas of lemongrass sautéed in herbed butter and almond toffee. A round entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of vanilla mocha fudge, pithy lemon grass and grilled tropical citrus flavors. Finishes with creamy and moderately astringent and citrus- and hay-like hops fade. Different, but fun.
86 Point Cascade Pale Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 3.4% ABV (2/08)
Pale amber. Floral bath talc, sweet floral plum and cinnamon raisin toast aromas follow through to a very nutty, but a touch thin, medium body with a crisp creamy lemon and wet granite like fade. A nice quaffer.
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.
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 (NY). 5.3% ABV (3/10)
Pale amber color. Aromas of brown sugar and toasted date bread follow through on a crisp, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good depth and a mild citrus marmalade and straw-like hop impression on the finish.
84 Wildfire Extra Pale Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (2/08)
Soapbox, sea sponge and creamy cereal aromas follow through to an earthy dry medium-to-full body with cheese and straw notes. Finishes with a quick honeyed cream cheese and lemon curd fade with a wave of piney, slightly soapy, hops.
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 Impeller Pale Ale, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 5.8% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Deep amber color. Aromas of roasted nuts, burnt tobacco and roasted corn follow through on a soft entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with buttery peach Danish and praline notes. Finishes with a crisp, astringent, grapefruity hop fade. A bit unbalanced.
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.
81 Fox Tail Pale Ale, Fox River Brewing (WI). 4.3% ABV (2/08)
Rich amber color with a Rorschach pattern head. Dish mop, old nut and brown butter aromas. Follow through to a flabby dry medium body with roasted grain and pepper flavors and a quick fade.
80 Wyld Organic Extra Pale Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (3/09)
Aromas of honeyed Brazil nuts and musty dishrags follow through on a brisk round entry to a dry medium body with roasted turnip notes and a quick chalky, metallic fade.
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