ACME California Pale Ale - North Coast Brewing Co.

Minkybut

Virginia

3.46/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I poured this beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer was a nice golden color slightly cloudy and poured a most impressive big white head. The smell was malty and sweet. The taste was a bit bitter in the finish but not bad. Taste was a little watery but still a refreshing beer. I would buy this beer again. Bet would be great on tap.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 16:02:16 | More by Minkybut

UCLABrewN84

California

3.34/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Pours a hazy light orange with a foamy beige head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Broken rings of lace form around the glass on the drink down. There is a bit of sediment that sinks to the bottom of the glass after the pour. Smell is of malt and some subdued citrus zest aromas. Taste is much the same with a malty flavor on the finish. There is a very mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is an above average beer that is drinkable but nothing too exciting going on here.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 04:11:42 | More by UCLABrewN84

schoolboy

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This seems like an innocuous little ale that would simply be very nice to drink, and that's exactly what it turns out it is.

California looks outstanding in the glass. The color is beer yellow with moderate bit persistent head. It is very clear.

taste is moderate paddle ale. Nothing is out of place. It stays nice and well mannered, but the aftertaste is more boozy than the lower alcohol would seem it should taste. I would buy and recommend this ale.in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 21:44:21 | More by schoolboy

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.31/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Hopefully this goes well...I mean, look what always happened to Wile E. Coyote... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear amber-brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises lemon peel, funky grass, very light orange zest, and some mild toffee tossed in for good measure. The taste brings in more of the same, though the lemon is now just as funky as the grass. Luckily, this ain't entirely detrimental to the proceedings. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda dry finish. Overall, a decent little pale ale, nothing really all that special, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 01:52:00 | More by TMoney2591

patpbr

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Acme Pale Ale poured golden with steady carbonation and a nice head that fills out the glass. The smell is mostly malty. I taste some citrus, some sweet malt character, honey and some hop bitterness, its subtle and pleasant. The mouth feel has a bit of bitterness. A crisp easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 22:32:32 | More by patpbr

barnzy78

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle, pours a hazy peach color with a tall, frothy, white head that fades fast leaving some chunky lacing at the top of the glass. Aromas seem muted with some earthiness, maybe caramel malt, but not much else. Tastes are earthy, bready malt, nice balance, peppery, slight frutiness - apple or grape, maybe apricot also. Body is thin-to-medium, modest carbonation, finishes nice and clean. Overall, pretty middle of the road here, definitely no wows, but drinkable and sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 01:09:22 | More by barnzy78

BucannonXC5

California

3.13/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12-oz. bottle into a pint glass at my house on Sept. 7, 2012 (purchased at Cost Plus World Market in Grossmont (San Diego, Calif.) for a solo price of $1.99 on Sept. 6, 2012). Two fingers of head. Poured a caramel orange with off-white lacing. Below average cretention on the top and average on the sides.

Smelled light citrus hoops, seemed to be orange more than anything else. Caramel malts, lemon, wheat and honey.

Tasted similar to the nose. Malty. Light citrus (orange), iced tea and slightly bitter.

Light body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, bitter finish.

Pretty average beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 06:01:52 | More by BucannonXC5

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.85/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass:

A: golden colored body that leaves a one finger white head that dies with a moderate pace to a thin coat of foamy head. Some light fast carbonation is seen rising. Barely any lacing is seen.

S: centers around some English malts and light citrusy hops come in.

T: citrus coming in a bit stronger. It has a slightly clean hop bite.

M: light to medium with nothing harsh on the tongue.

O: this is not a bad brew. I like this enough to have it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 17:29:42 | More by kangarooAdam59

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - A touch hazy but fairly clear pale with a golden orange color and a 1/2 inch of foam.

S - Smells kind of English to me. Might be the malt but the hops are pretty good giving a nice blast of citrus.

T - The malts give it an almost "ESB" feel making it taste more of an English pale than an American. Pale malts are nicely blended and it has a clean hop bite in the finish. Not bad.

M - Light to medium quite easy to drink.

Overall not something I would seek out but WAY better than the Acme IPA (and by that I mean less bitter and more balance) A pretty nice Pale.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 00:52:40 | More by DrDemento456

barczar

Kentucky

3.2/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear copper orange color with a solid one finger cream head that dissipates fairly quickly, leaving no lacing.

Aroma is heavily dominated by bready caramel malt, which is accented by a hint of citrus hop, finishing slightly floral.

Flavor reveals a bit more underlying citrus hop, resting on a bready malt backbone, finishing with a bit of herbal tea-like hop and a touch of pepper.

Body is moderate, with fairly high carbonation and a touch of alcohol warmth.

Overall, not nearly enough hop flavor for the style. It's a fairly underwhelming selection.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 03:45:14 | More by barczar

lawlerj

Nebraska

3.43/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a NB globe glass.

A - Pours a slightly hazy light orange w/ two finger width white head. Moderately carbonated.

S - I mostly get bready malt on the nose and a touch of floral hops.

T - Follows the nose; fairly malty with a nice dose of hop bitterness through the middle and finish. It doesn't quite have the hops that I find myself wanting, but still pretty good.

M - Medium bodied. I wanted it a bit lighter, or maybe a bit more carbonation.

O - Overall, a decent beer. Definitely not the best pale ale out there, but worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 22:31:42 | More by lawlerj

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I saw the bottle on the shelf (the hot chick in the swimsuit caught my eye) and I decided to try this something new.

I always go for a decent pale, and I figure that Acme, I mean North Coast, should do a good job.

This beer smells really good. There is a light flowery top. The flavor is kind of simple, but I could drink this all afternoon.

I would say that this is a good example of a pale, but it is nothing to go out of your way for.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 01:50:51 | More by ummswimmin

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Poured a slightly hazy golden color, produced an average white creamy head. Head retention was average, some lacing stuck on the glass. The aroma of this pale ale consisted of fruity easters and husky grain. Medium in body, this apa consisted of malted grain, the taste of bread, some sweet husky grain flavor. The yeast produces a fruity flavor that is unique. Overall, its fairly easy to drink- a little light on hop finish- it could use a little more balance.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 01:14:10 | More by GossageBrewery

rangerred

Tennessee

3.58/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a slightly hazy dark yellow with a billowy 1.5 finger head with great retention.

Aroma has a belgian yeast quality to it with lots of fruity esters, especially orange and lemon. A little light bready malt as well.

Taste is quite fruity and full of orange and grapefruit. Again there is that Belgian quality with the spice and fruit. Some light bread it detectable but no flavor is very strong. A light bitterness cleans everything up at the end.

Overall, it is an ok pale ale but somewhat lacking in flavor. The spice and malt is different than other APA's out there but not really enough for me to seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 21:09:54 | More by rangerred

beergoot

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours out a cloudy, amber color with an off-white, thin head. Aroma is sweet, pine-like, sweet malt (light caramel). Taste is malt-forward. Caramel and other light diacetyl charateristics. Rather thick and sweet with some subtle grapefruit character. Bitterness is nice. Medium body mouthfeel.

This is a strange one. Okay, but not something I'd go out of my way to try again. But, if you're looking for the more British take on this style, this one fits the bill.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 22:04:23 | More by beergoot

Labeerfinder

3.28/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy golden orange colour with a frothy off-white head. Green, fresh, leafy, grapefruit, and pine aroma, with caramel notes. Pine and citrus bitter flavours lingering though the finish, with some caramel sweetness to back it up. Medium bodied. Overall not bad.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 19:54:51 | More by Labeerfinder

tdm168

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark orangish gold with a quarter of an inch of soft, white head that is dense and has great retention. There are very noticeable carbonation bubbles rising to the top. The nose has a faint, bready maltiness to it. The taste is bready and malty with some faint grassy hops. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth with a decent amount of carbonation.

This is a very drinkable APA, but it's reminds me of a maltier pilsner considering it's hop profile. It's enjoyable and sessionable, but I'll probably pass in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 02:07:09 | More by tdm168

Samp01

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a cloudy pale golden yellow with a medium white head. Aroma and Taste of biscuit malt, some grapefruit and fruity notes, with some light grass and a bit of barnyard and yeasty notes, followed by some hops bitterness. A medium body and soft carbonation on the palate. Finish is biscuit malt some light grapefruit and citrus notes with some grassy and mild funky notes. This seems a bit light for the style, needs more hops, and carbonation. Nothing really standout about this brew. Overall an ok brew. I was expecting more from North Coast.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 19:41:56 | More by Samp01

TheHoppiest

Ohio

2.53/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured from a squat 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Pours a hazy amber color with a minimal 1/2" head that reduces to nothing, leaving a rather flat-looking beer.

Has a grainy, yeasty aroma, with plenty of malt and very little hops. In checking the bottle there is no "brewed-on" date, and I only bought this a few days ago, but it has all the characteristics thusfar of beer past its prime.

Tastes sweet and malty, with honey and orange blossom flavors. A hint of straw before the mildest hit of hops to finish.

Medium bodied, with no carbonation to speak of, and a slighty peppery finish, the mouthfeel is unremarkable.

I bought this at an Acme grocery store, and I believe this is brewed by North Coast for Acme. I'm drinknig it less than a week after purchase. As such, if this is a malt-bomb because it sat on the shelf, well, that is Ame's fault. I'd avoid this on that basis alone.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 23:08:21 | More by TheHoppiest

thekanna

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +29%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a gorgeous orange-gold with what looks like a pretty hefty body and 2 fingers of thick, white froth at the top; this leaves patchy lacing down the side.

S: Fresh; A bit of sourness with hints of peaches and oranges.

T/M: Effervescence tingles the palate to begin with, followed by an slightly slick, juicy body with notes of apricot and citrus. Effervescence tingles the tongue at the end, with an aftertaste of subdued herbal, hop bitterness.

D: Incredibly drinkable and enjoyable. Would work as a fantastic session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 05:21:59 | More by thekanna

BerkeleyBeerMan

California

3.08/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

No freshness date.

App: Clear carbonated orange amber color with creamy 1 finger head with light lacing.

S: Light aroma. Malts and some resinous and spicy hops. Faint hint of citrus. Some off-aromas.

T: Malt. Bready and doughty. Light biscuit. Grainy lager hops. Lemon zest, some oiliness. Not as bitter as I prefer pale ale's. I am using Mirror Pond as my baseline ideal pale ale. Secondary hints of fermented sugar and candy.

Mfeel: Weak flavors. Somewhat watery. Leans toward the malty side with some faint citric flavors. Finishes quick and clean.

Overall: This beer is weaker in comparison to the more flavorful pale ales available locally. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a revival of some more archaic recipe or just taste different than what I am used to.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 08:41:37 | More by BerkeleyBeerMan

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz brown bottle, no freshness dating

A - Orange, slightly hazed, one finger thick white head that retains decently, and laces well.

S/T - Orangey, tangerine hops on top of a sweet caramel malt base, finishing with moderate bitterness from some pine hops

M - Light side of medium body, medium high carb level, feels a bit thin and watery mid-palate through the finish.

O - Good beer, its on the hoppy side for a pale, doesn't have the bready malts which I like for the style, and could use a little more body.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 20:49:08 | More by garuda

ZenAgnostic

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. No stamped date.

Appearance - Pours enormous four finger off-white head with low stick and decent to good retention. Very slightly hazy clear light gold body.

Smell - Slight musky corn and wet grass. Low but slightly noticeable maltiness, and no alcohol presence.

Taste - Grassy. Amorphous. Medium bodied.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied. Slightly creamy/chewy/sticky. Slight solvency/astringency. Some bite.

Overall Drinkability - Pretty decent for the style. The offcharacters aren't too unbalancing or annoying. Would be decent for both a session and somewhat decent for a tasting beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 04:56:23 | More by ZenAgnostic

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This poured out as a very lightly hazy yellowish color with a white foamy head on top. The head leave a little lacing on the glass. The smell of this brew is well balanced between malts and hops. The taste of the beer is sweet upfront with a good bitter finish. The mouthfeel is light and very drinkable with a nice crisp bite to it also. Overall this brew is pretty good, easy to drink and good to have anytime.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 05:05:16 | More by Knapp85

soju6

Missouri

4/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a copper color with a nice head and some lacing.

S: Fairly mild aroma of citrus and malty sweetness.

T: Flavor of mild malt sweetness with a nice bitterness. Has a dry finish.

F: Medium body, smooth and creamy. Very well balanced.

O: Very enjoyable pale ale. Easy drinker. Well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 00:21:27 | More by soju6