Wolaver's Pale Ale - Otter Creek Brewing / Wolaver's

Mustard

District of Columbia

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: 12oz. brown bottle; no "bottled on" or "best before" date; no ABV %; purchased for $5.99/6 from the West LA Whole Foods on National and Barrington; upper label describes the beer as having a "rich, malty body and crisp, dry hoppy finish".

Appearance: Pours a hazy, orange brown with faint, ruddy highlights; batter-like, off-white, three-fingered head; only a small b-cup's worth of lace but excellent head retention -- one of those fingers made it to the bottom of my mug.

Aroma: Somewhat lightly of grapefruit, caramel and floral hops.

Taste: Light, sugary sweetness upfront; pronounced malt body; discernible notes of apricot and grapefruit; sturdy, rolling bitterness balances things out quite nicely; earthy, woody hop flavors; a hint of butterscotch; slightly spicy; light to medium bodied with a creamy, prickly mouthfeel.

Notes: As far as pale ales go, somewhere between good and very good.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2003 06:06:04 | More by Mustard

2beerdogs

California

4/5  rDev +10.2%

05-09-2013 04:39:27 | More by 2beerdogs

Kelp

New Hampshire

3/5  rDev -17.4%

04-29-2013 06:02:25 | More by Kelp

Varkias41

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%

03-15-2012 19:53:57 | More by Varkias41

JAHMUR

Connecticut

2.5/5  rDev -31.1%

01-03-2012 04:12:06 | More by JAHMUR

ElGallo

New Hampshire

3/5  rDev -17.4%

11-19-2011 20:37:52 | More by ElGallo

nmann08

Maryland

4/5  rDev +10.2%

11-18-2011 17:49:04 | More by nmann08

LXIXME

New Mexico

4.25/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

If you pour this beer from an inch or so above the glass, you get a big off white to light tan head that takes it time to recede. Very nice honey copper color and quite a clear clean colored beer.

I really don't know what I got more of in the aroma, the slight sour grains, or light bitter hops, or lightly toasted caramel, or the citrus; but all of that was present in the aroma.

The taste was quite similar to the aroma with the exception that it seems that the light bitter hops seems to take over a little, which i really kind of liked. And this light bitter taste transfers well throughout and stays with you with its aftertaste. A pretty good beer, I think I'll have another.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 01:58:06 | More by LXIXME

MaltsOfGlory

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very nice one finger creamy head. The body is dark dark amber in color. Looks like a pale ale should look. Smells just like a pale ale should smell too, not too hoppy, not too malty, nice balance in between. You definitely pick up more hops, and then a small malt note and sweet smell. I wish the smell were a little more intense, but oh well. Well, the taste is very very good, don't get me wrong, but I would not really classify this as a pale ale. I mean it tastes too light on the hops to be a pale ale. It tastes more like an english ale to me, not american. In the taste you get a hop bitterness for just a second, and then comes an immense sweetness and then in the finish you get malts for just a second as well. The taste is dominated by that sweetness. It's a great mix of all three flavors, but the sweetness is definitely the primary flavor. Good taste, not out of this world though. Drinkability is through the roof on this beer, mouthfeel isn't bad either.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2011 05:29:16 | More by MaltsOfGlory

wallaceandvomit

Florida

3.05/5  rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

a- light clear amber color, little head and minimal ring of lacing
s- not much smell, maybe a slight malty scent
t- decent taste but not very hoppy,not very malty either, somewhat bland
m- decent mouthfeel for a regular pale ale but nothing great
d- its an average beer , grab a single if you like pale ales, all i can taste when i drink pale ales is a weak ipa

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 00:14:14 | More by wallaceandvomit

asabreed

New York

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: A copper color makes up the body, with some tinge of darkness to it. A frothy bright-white head doesn't leave an insane amount of lacing, but it's a sharp contrast from the body of the brew, and it does leave some big dots of lacing and some swervy rings closer to the body's top.

Smell: A good amount of husk, grain, earthiness, mild hop bitterness, and slight caramel. All fairly subdued, but it seems balanced at least.

Taste: I wouldn't call this a Pale Ale on training wheels, but like the aroma, everything seems fairly light, which, I suppose, can be good for a lawnmower-type summer beer. Good husky earthiness and citrus hops, with lingering mild fruit esters and earthiness and nice back-end bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Initially mildly watery with a good burst of sharp carbonation that comes through at the end and makes it a little more toward medium-bodied from the initial semblance of its light-bodied nature.

Drinkability: This gets pushed up a notch because it has enough flavor to be highly drinkable, with a good amount of alcohol to be sessionable, and it's, well, very easy-drinking for a Pale Ale. Wolaver's has never blown me away, but this is another solid brew from them.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 21:05:37 | More by asabreed

matjack85

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I found this single 12oz brown bottle at the Binny's in Plainfield, IL for $1.59. No freshness date but they claim all the ingredients are organic.

The beer poured a hazy gold color but made no head whatsoever - just a thin white rim. Despite the lack of much head, the beer still left some nice lacing on the glass with each sip.

The beer had a mild hop smell along with some fruit juice aroma.

There was a nice malty backbone to this but with plenty of hop bitterness for balance. A subtle apple juice presence completes the flavor. I like the taste of this.

Medium bodied with biting carbonation for crispness. Slight lingering hop aftertaste.

A very drinkable beer. Wish I bought more than one. I'm not a big pale ale fan but this one could bring me on board.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2010 06:19:14 | More by matjack85

ericj551

British Columbia (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 Review: Wolaver's Pale Ale is a copper orange with a thin head. The aroma is nutty, malty and sweet, with hints of herbal hops and a nice light fruitiness. The flavor is crisp, with nice toasted bread and light toffee malty sweetness. A mild, but noticeable bitterness balances the sweetness with some nice, light herbal hops.

2006 Review: The beer pours a golden amber with a this head that bubbles down to a lasting film. I smell hops, kind of metallic and a little grassy. Taste is sweet at first with a nice hop bitterness that drys out the flavor. There is a decent body, but if could be a little fuller.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2010 22:02:15 | More by ericj551

CaptYellow

New York

3.15/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A: A little darker than I would think. Darker than straw yellow. The head was huge. I filled less than half the glass with the beer and the head was over-flowing. A head lasted the whole time and left distinct rings of lacing around the glass.

T: The hops come out strong. I didn't find it to be balanced with the malt. The malt sweetness just came out a bit in the aftertaste. Perhaps being an American Pale Ale, it should be imbalanced this way, unlike an English Pale Ale.

M: Medium.

D: It's not my type of beer being that the dominant flavor is from the hops. For me, it's not very drinkable, but to others it may be. The imbalance and lack of discernible complexity are hits to drinkability for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2010 03:57:52 | More by CaptYellow

EStreet20

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle. 20 ounce nonic.

A - Fairly clear pale golden color with a finger and a half of off white head.

S - Grainy smell. Some slight hop aroma.

T - A nice malty drinker here. Sweetness leads the way and some dry grain finishes. Hops provide balance rather than big bitterness or discernible hop flavors.

M - Pretty smooth feel here.

D - Nice, smooth drinkable beer. A bit more American hop character may make me want more when I reach for this style but it's still a nice smooth brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2010 07:04:06 | More by EStreet20

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

2.63/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

A - A light amber colour with some white, bubbly head and light carbonation.

S - A very mild hop scent- earthy with some citrus. Not much going on here at all.

T - Earthy hops with some citrus and a bit of malty sweetness. As I drink this, the bitter hop flavour becomes more present and the sweetness disappears. But the hop doesn't have much character - just bitterness. A very bland taste.

M - A lot of carbonation is present. The body is fairly light.

D - A pale ale should be drinkable and this one barely qualifies as that. Disappointing given how good the Wolaver's IPA is. Wouldn't buy this one again. In fact, I am not so sure what to do with the other 5 I have... Disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2010 04:01:48 | More by TheSevenDuffs

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

2.23/5  rDev -38.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

Poured into my pint glass the beer is mostly clear golden yellow. A nice off white head reaches close to two fingers. After settling a thick coating of lace is left around the rim.

The aroma is heavy on the malt out of the gate. It has a strong apple juice thing going on. Maybe some spice and a hint of citrus.

The flavor is dry and bitter. Not in a good way though. It tastes like chewed up asprin. Maybe this is a bad bottle.

The body is thin with moderate carbonation.

Overall the looks had me thinking this would be a nice beer. I guess mom was right. Don't judge a book by it's cover.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2010 02:41:06 | More by beerwolf77

natelocc787

California

2.9/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Very unimpressive, especially coming from Otter Creek. This Pale Ale is the definition of unremarkable. Hops and malt balance each other out, mild citrus notes and pale malt with a dry, seltzer feel. Over carbonated and very average. Not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2010 05:52:14 | More by natelocc787

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a dark gold color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of caramelized malts, some citrus and a little bit of hops.

T: The taste is bready up front with a hearty malt character. Then some caramel & citrus sweetness quickly comes in. The hops presence is complementary and brings some balance but it's a bit on the weak side for the style. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly bready.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, mild kick, decent representation of style, it's not a bad beer but there aren't many beers in the style that I would choose this one over.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2009 03:37:55 | More by TheManiacalOne

donniecuffs

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured cloudy amber into an American pint glass; thin white head, but surprisingly decent lacing. In the aroma, picked up notes of red cherry, banana, peach, caramel, and malt. The taste possessed a nice round 'smoothy' fruitiness throughout, punctuated with a semi-dry finish and a dry fruit aftertaste. Pretty rare for a beer style that I find too often nowadays to be hopped to death. A welcome change of pace. Surprisingly though, the mouthfeel was fairly light, though this did aid the beer's sessionability.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2009 16:41:25 | More by donniecuffs

Ezone024

Connecticut

3.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

looks clean and crisp when poured out of the bottle
lots of carbonation with a clear dark golden color.

smells slightly metallic, which i have found alot of Otter's to taste. also smells of sweetness, not as floral or aromatic as other pale's.

It tastes of earthy hops, with hints of sweet citrus and sweet malts. it's malty flavor is actually very easy in the mouth, not overwhelming at all.

this is very easy to drink, you can throw back about 3 before you realize you had one.

i'd drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2009 23:44:33 | More by Ezone024

champ103

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden/orange color. A two finger white head forms and leaves some sticky lace behind.
S: A very subtle aroma. Oily, soapy, and floral hops. Some sweetness. A mineral aroma as well. Also some perfume? This is a little odd.
T: Similar to the nose. Floral and grassy hops. Sweet caramel malt. Soap, and a mineral flavor.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Pretty easy to drink. An easy choice for a session beer.

This is a good beer. Not my favorite from the brewery, but worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2009 21:33:14 | More by champ103

ajmoody76

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

one year old twelve ounce brown bottle pours clear copper with a one finger off white head. some lacing.

nice malt aroma. fruity american hops on the nose. no off odors.

good sweet malt taste. balanced with earthy and fruity hops. mellow aftertaste.

good carbonation. mid body. good beer. says it is organic. could do session with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 01:36:53 | More by ajmoody76

jujubeast6000

Texas

3.1/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed 6/11/2009 (Bottle):

Pours a cloudy, amber orange colored body, with a smallish white color head, diminishing. Hoppy aroma, malty sweet. Some English maltiness. Very English tasting hops. Pale, light, dryish tasting. Hoppy, somewhat bitter tasting.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2009 23:07:26 | More by jujubeast6000

MikeBrandman

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a beautiful brown with trails of carbonation on close inspection. No suspension in the beer, but slightly opaque overall. One finger of brownish white head that quickly fades to almost nothing. Very little lacing.

S - Strong smell for an APA. Not a very good one though. More earthy than hoppy. Smells like a handful of dirt with some mintiness. Not terribly pleased with the smell, but what hoppiness is there is great.

T - I liked the taste more on the first sip than I did on any of the following. Taste is slightly malty in the beginning, and then fades to hops. However, there's a metallic undertone that I just can't shake. Almost a medicinal bitterness. Not quite bitter enough to be a sipper, though. Very crisp. Dry finish, somewhat refreshing.

MF - Very silky. Thicker than most APAs.

D - I could definitely go for another one of these.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2009 02:44:34 | More by MikeBrandman