Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

2010 British and North American Ales

Cultural Exchange

American Style Pale Ale

Pale ales tend to be fuller-bodied with a more assertive character on the palate than the standard bitter in a English brewer’s portfolio. In England, they are generally bottled, as opposed to being sold on draft. Despite the name, pale ales are not pale but, in fact, more of an amber hue. The original designation was in reference to this style of beer being paler than the brown and black beers that were more popular at the time of the style’s inception. In the United States, pale ale styles have become one of the benchmarks by which craft brewers are judged. The U.S. version of pale ale is crisper and generally much more hoppy. Indeed, this style is well suited to assertive domestic Pacific Northwestern hop varieties that give the United States examples inimitable character. A good U.S. example should be available on tap in any bar worth frequenting for its beer selection.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

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)
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)
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)
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)
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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