Helios Pale Ale - Upland Brewing Company

barczar

Kentucky

3.36/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25

Pours a fairly clear light copper with a frothy inge inch cream head that dissipates somewhat quickly, leaving minimal lacing.

Floral hop notes and buttery tones mix with a honey sweetness and a hint of toasted breadcrust. Light resin and pine emerge.

Flavor reveals a bigger malt backbone that hits mid palate with toasted bread, wiping away the initial orange and lemon citrus character. The finish is resinous and fairly bitter. Grassy notes surface in the aftertaste.

Body is a touch light, with moderate carbonation and significant astringency.

More bitter than anticipated for the style. Fairly offputting mouthfeel, but there's substantial hop flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 02:34:31 | More by barczar

rangerred

Tennessee

2.95/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had on tap in a pint glass.

Pours a clear light amber with a half finger white head.

The aroma is practically non-existent. I don't think I have ever had a beer with this little aroma. Maybe a faint touch of earth and caramel but that's it. Weird.

Unfortunately, the flavor was also lacking nearly as much as the aroma. A moderate bitterness comes across but a complete lack of either malt or hop flavor. Once the beer warmed to nearly room temperature, there was a little caramel and earthy hops but I really had to dig for it.

Overall, if someone is looking for a beer that tastes like water this is it. I really can't believe that lack of any aroma or flavor whatsoever. Not one I can recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2012 02:08:45 | More by rangerred

rlee1390

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Semi-cloudy orange, good deal of carbonation and one finger head.

S-Malt, forward, citrus hops. Possibly turned but the bottle date says otherwise...

T-Once again overly malty, some caramel and dirt. Citrus hops balance it out with slight bitterness.

M-Medium bodied, some carbonation.

O-Overly malty, I'll try it fresh at the brewpub but so far it was overly malty.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 21:15:17 | More by rlee1390

homebrew311

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into SA sensory glass. Appearance is clear gold with some flaky floaties present. Two fingers of dense white head with some lacing. Decent retention. Nose is a bit odd, some herbal hops present along with grainy bread notes, and some character that just doesn't sit well. I can't put my finger on it... maybe a touch of skunk. The taste is robust in regards to the grainy malt profile. Fresh lemon and grass come in. Minimal bitterness. Mouthfeel is smooth and the body is medium, quite refreshing. OVerall, nice little pale ale, the aroma could use some work.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 08:18:27 | More by homebrew311

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +25.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a tulip glass)
bottled Feb '12
A- This beer pours a hazy light copper body with a snow white head that is thick and creamy lasting for all of the beer. There are strands of microbubbles supporting the head which starts to stick to the glass in sheets.

S- The green dry fruity hops are supported by some honey malt notes in the finish.

T- The slightly dry green hops have a herbal quality and some juicy fruit gum notes to them. There is a nice malt flavor that grows as the beer opens with some biscuit malt notes. The dried orange and spicy character to the hops comes through in the finish.

M- The medium-light mouthfeel has a gentle fizz and no alcohol heat noticed.

O- The great hop flavor has some nice depth and good freshness to it with a nice supportive dry malt flavor. This beer is very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 12:58:47 | More by rhoadsrage

drabmuh

Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Not a good beer at all. Beer is yellow to amber and clear with a thin white head of small bubbles, some lacing, moderate retention, low to moderate carbonation.

Aroma is mildly hoppy, a little malt and a little buttery.

Beer is very buttery in the mouth, strong off flavors, not a repeat, never again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2012 12:53:14 | More by drabmuh

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This PA came out with a nice amber, slightly orange appearance. It had a good scent, slightly hoppy, but not overpowering, but nothing great, either. It had a nice, mildly hoppy flavor, but actaully ended up with a slightly sweet aftertaste, which I found unique in a PA. It goes down nice and is definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 01:25:13 | More by WoodBrew

WillCarrera

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle, bottled November 2011, poured into a nonic pint glass. Thanks to dlello2 for the bottle!

A- Pours a golden honey color, topped with a big fluffy white head about an inch high, leaves great lacing.

S- Some hops, lemony citrus, lightly toasted grain.

T- Decent hop bite, some citrus and grassy, floral bitterness. Some toasty malt, zesty citric and bitter finish.

M- Light-bodied, smooth, soft feel, but it's slightly watery.

O- A pretty nice beer, super drinkable, I wish I was eating right now because this is a perfect beer for dinner.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 02:35:40 | More by WillCarrera

Sean9689

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Indy Tasting Room.

A - Pours a golden/orange color, spotty lace, thin collar.

S - Light hoppy notes, toasted malts, all very subtle but that's expected for a beer just barley approaching 5%.

T - More hoppy then the nose, light grass and citrus, with a light malt notes mixed in there too. Finish is light hoppy citrus.

M - Light, good carbonation, oily finish.

O - A nice little pale that satisfied my craving for some light hops, while not blowing my palate out of the water. Decent stuff, but there are other pale's out there that I would rather have.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 17:34:01 | More by Sean9689

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.53/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by plank10. Thanks Nick.

The beer is light yellow with a small white head. The aroma offers some hops, grain, rain water?, sweet malt. The flavor is grainy with some wet hop character. Tastes like a harvest ale. Medium bodied with mild bitterness. Overall, this was ok.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 19:38:27 | More by Huhzubendah

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.8/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at the Greek restaurant in Evansville, IN, that I ate my New Year's meal at. That was cool that they had this one.

A: It poured a bit darker than traditional gold, with a slight haze and about a 1/2 finger white sawdust-like head that coated the glass like a rat bastard from hell.

S: I got a mild puff of fresh citrus orange and yeast. This was really nice.

T: This had a very pleasant, bitter finish, with remarkably unsweet disposition and huge orange bill.

M: The white lacing was ridiculous and the carbonation was both bubbly and comfortable.

O: Man, There are some really nice beers coming out of Bloomington, Indiana these days. I only wish I was into craft beer while I was in college there...

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2012 03:03:06 | More by Chaney

mpcrump

Indiana

3.55/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Upland.

A: Golden yellow with a hint of red. Slightly hazy. Decent head that stayed for a few minutes.

S: Citrus, floral, and perhaps some wheat. I thought the smell was rather light. I don't like my beers to be overpowering when it comes to smell but I don't like them to be light either.

T: Hops and citrus up front. Not real strong but a nice start. Seems to finish with some wheat and floral hops. Starts slightly bitter.

M: Nice light body with average carbonation. Good drink for the hot days.

O: Nice beer. Very drinkable and a good choice for the summer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2011 19:37:13 | More by mpcrump

auroracrisis

Kentucky

3.35/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz into a pint glass, notched with being bottled in July of 2011.

Somewhat hazy golden blonde with a half finger head. Plenty of lively bubbles dance to the top of the beer as it sits.

Toasted, buttery grain, a touch of pineapple and mango with some hop presence. Not very hoppy in fact, but maybe this is due to the beer not being too fresh.

Toasted grain up front again, with that nice buttery biscuit like malt flavor that is often found in English pale ales. Again, not much hop presence but you can detect a touch of bittering on the finish of the beer.

Crisp and soft with moderate carbonation. A hint of drying on the finish.

A more toasty, buttery pale ale with not much hop presence. I think the lack of much hoppyness might be due to the unfresh bottle but only two months old at the most shouldn't really affect the beer this much. Oh well, I'll have to revisit when I can find a fresher batch.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 02:50:09 | More by auroracrisis

bboelens

Florida

3.15/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at WOB, poured into a standard pint glass

A-Light hazy gold with about a one finger stark white head and moderate lacing

S-Citrus, hops, and a faint sugary smell

T-Light floral hop and citrus flavor, nothing too complex, a light malt finish rounds out a relatively average tasting beer.

M-Light frothy carbonation and a slight film were left after each sip

O-Overall this is a pretty standard american pale ale, nothing really stuck out as particularly interesting in either direction, good or bad, a nice day beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2011 17:02:17 | More by bboelens

Tone

Missouri

3.55/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy, copper/maize color. Suspended sediment present. One inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of citrus hops, sweet malt, hint of honey, hint of sorghum, and a hint of pale malt. Fits the style of an American Pale Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of citrus hops, sweet malt, slight pale malt, and a hint of sorghum. Overall, good appearance and blend, but lacking in body and aroma.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 16:03:06 | More by Tone

HosP

Indiana

3.85/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've had this beer many times, but first chance I've had a bottle to sit down and review. Poured 12oz bottle into pint glass.

A- Pours slightly hazy, darker than a golden yellow color. Nice fluffy head, that sticks around a bit before leaving.

S- Nice floral hop aroma up front. Some pine smell in the background. Get a bit of citrus hop aroma at the end. Very mild almost wheat aroma in the background at the end.

T- Nice burst of hoppy citrus flavors. Fade rather quick but to a piney, floral hop flavor. Good bitterness, then cut into by a nice mild wheat backbone. Finishes nice and clean.

M- Lighter body, moderate carbonation. A little thin.

O- Very good, enjoyable beer. Especially in the summer time. Not something I go to all the time, but a good beer to have around.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 03:01:12 | More by HosP

RickS95

Indiana

3.23/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

It's really a sharp looking beer. It's got a soft peach color that's mostly opaque. On top is a head that is initially large, but dissipates really quickly.

Even after warming a bit, the smells don't jump out at you. There's some citrus hiding in there, but I also picked up some pretty standard malt notes. Had I not known it was a pale ale, I might has guessed it to be a pils.

Like the nose, the tastes aren't overpowering. A slight bit of citrus is quickly subdued by an almost watered down, piney flavor.

Low in alcohol, so there's no bite or heat. Low in IBUs so there's not much bite there. An slight watery mouthfeel. I expected more out of a pale ale.

Kind of an average beer, has some things going for it, and has some other things going against it. Will probably be a while before I try it again.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 02:24:45 | More by RickS95

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

medium to light amber color with a thick head of white that sat on top throughout the entire session, nice lacing down the glass.

aroma is light, nice little notes of citrus, hints of apple, pears, light grasses and a smooth, even flavor or light fruity yeast. as i take the first sip i get the clean, crisp flavor right off the bat. really nicely done. clean and light hops, a good strain of yeast and very nice carbonation all lead to a solid pale.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2011 02:10:56 | More by mikesgroove

mdvatab

Indiana

2.17/5  rDev -37.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from 12oz. bottle into shaker pint.
No bottled on date to be found.

Aroma: Tart, lemony citrus hops, somewhat metallic note, very light grainy malt note, and a light brown sugar note at the end.

Appearance: One finger of off-white head falls quickly, but leaves a thin layer of foam that remains. Light golden honey-colored body.

Flavor: Dry, low malt sweetness, husky cereal grain, some light hoppy bitterness, but a very thin flavor overall.

Mouthfeel: The body of the beer is, again, a bit thin for the style. Crisp, dry CO2.

Overall: Definitely a lawn mower pale ale. I could see it being an extremely refreshing beer to pound on a hot day, but not much more. It's an average beer, which is admittedly lacking in the malt and hop department.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 01:39:40 | More by mdvatab

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle, bottled in February 2011. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a mostly clear golden/orange color with about a half inch off-white head. There's a decent amount of head retention, and a good amount of lacing left on the glass. Aroma is mostly butterscotch, bready malt and some citrusy hops. Not much hops in the aroma, but they show up more in the taste. The brew tastes like pine and spicy hops, bready malt and a bit of citrusy hops. There's a slight bitter hoppy finish. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it's slick and easy to drink. I think it's a decent brew, I wouldn't turn one down.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 23:54:28 | More by bluejacket74

drizzam

Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A clear light gold body is topped by a two finger white foamy head. Decent head retention and a nice veil of lacing down the inside of my glass.

S - A mild citric hop aroma with a bit of sweet caramel malt. Not overly aromatic, but it does smell tasty.

T & M - The taste mimics the nose, a very light hop bitterness plays with a bit of sweet malt. Not overpoweringly bitter, but the hops are tasty. Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. A very light hop bitterness follows after the swallow.

D - This is a very quaffable APA. I'm not sure what the ABV is, but if I had to guess, it's probably around 6%. A very tasty beer from Upland and definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 03:49:44 | More by drizzam

hoosier3334

Indiana

3.73/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I'm a pale ale fan, and for some reason this just struck me as being...off to the style. Just needs to be a bit more hoppy. The color is spot-on though, and it's a good looking beer. Smell's good, although could still do more with the hops. I would peg this as a good "gateway" beer for someone who hasn't tried a lot of craft beer before.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2011 17:21:02 | More by hoosier3334

dmfrench

Indiana

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

Creamy, lemon zesty, slightly spicy (hop comment pending) Pale
___

A: Slightly hazy light butterscotch body with a sudsy, two finger, pretty persistent for a light pale white head.

S: Not getting much at all, though I'll give it the benefit of the doubt since the bottled on date is five months ago...

T: Yeah, this beer is a bit past it's prime... malt flavors buttery biscuit and almost a rye spiciness are in tact, but hops are quite faded. Will re-review when I try it again. What's left of the hops are spicy and floral.

M: Still very well carbonated. A bit of cream and graininess make for a pleasant experience.

O: Like I said, I'll need to re-review a fresh sample, but this has the Upland signature all over it, and I expect good things from what I'm getting now.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2011 22:59:28 | More by dmfrench

secondtooth

Indiana

3.38/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This attractively-designed bottle pours a cloudy golden, with a big, frothy head.

Extensive lace.

Aroma is malty, I detect little hops, though with tasting, there does seem to be a nicely bitter followthrough, and a little hint of citrus.

Heavier-bodied than most traditional Summer brews, but I see this one being a good choice for warmer months.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2011 02:59:32 | More by secondtooth

zrab11

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- GOlden Copper color with a nice 2 finger frothy head

S-Has a earthy hop smell

T-Starts with a hint of bitterness just a hint then finishes with a orange flavor

M-Crisp Medium Bodied beer

D- Very Drinkable. Not my favorite APA but soo easy to drink! Like this beer alot.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 02:19:28 | More by zrab11