Pete's Wicked Ale - Pete's Brewing Company

DerekP

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance is pseudo mahogany brown. Very little head, but I may have gotten an out-dated bottle.

Smell is malty & reveals a bit of caramel/brown sugar aromas. A touch of alcohol comes through towards the end.

Taste offers a hint of caramel and brown sugar and an agreeable bite from the hops. A buttery presence may be due to the English tradition.

Mouthfeel is pleasant. A medium body comes to mind.

A worthy beer, but not exactly top notch - however, I'd imagine this would be far better on tap (as most beers tend to be). Regardless, it's a very drinkable brew. I can see myself sitting at a bar drinking 5-6 pints of this stuff with no problem. It's kind of like the Yuengling of brown ales.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2010 00:06:53 | More by DerekP

WhiskerWrangler

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +30.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours an absolutely beautiful dark red amber color. Half a finger of head. Dissipates quickly to a very thin head. Looking down at my glass, the colors are amazing. Dark on top and a glowing crimson on the bottom. I can see bubbles rising from the bottom. Laces well.

T- My first mouthful of this beer gave me the wow factor. Amazing taste that goes down extremely well. No carbonated feel in the mouth or throat. Leaves a great aftertaste.

M- Very light feeling... somewhat heavy on the stomach which is somewhat unappealing, but overall, it has a great mouthfeel. Amazingly smooth all the way down.

D- I can definitely see myself drinking more than one of these at the bar, if I can find this beer at a bar. It is easy to drink and the flavors are wonderful!

Overall I must say.. I love this beer! This is the first one I have had and I will definitely be getting more of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2010 02:15:01 | More by WhiskerWrangler

woemad

Washington

2.93/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle, no obvious freshness date. Purchased at Huckleberry's in Spokane for $1.19. Different label than the one pictured, BTW, and it states it was brewed in Utica, NY. I drank this beer a fair bit in the early 90s, but hadn't had it in years...till now.

Poured a lighter color than I was expecting for a brown ale, English or otherwise. Much closer to amber or at least russet in color, and takes on a ruby hue when held up to the light. A solid two fingers of off-white foam was present when first poured, but it dropped down to a slight skiff within a few minutes.

Not so pleasant in the nose. Malty, but with an nasty copper-ish metallic scent that reminds me of the smell of a handful of old pennies.

Fairly bland tasting. It starts out with an anemic malty sweetness that is then joined by an even milder slight hop flavor. Slightly dry at the swallow

Medium bodied, with a slightly prickly mouthfeel.

Not much of a beer. This was an exercise in misplaced nostalgia. I'm curious whether the recipe was changed over time or if it just seemed better to me back in the day. Regardless, in THIS day and age I will be giving it a wide berth.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2010 06:48:27 | More by woemad

rdub

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pete's was one of the fancy beers when we were in college. Gave it another try now that I'm more "sophisticated". Appearance was coppery with a medium/thin head. The smell was kind of nice, little bit malty, little bit hoppy. I like the taste as it's nice and basic. Mouthfeel was medium as was the drinkability. Good go-to brew for rookies but not so exciting.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2010 01:44:46 | More by rdub

hardy008

Minnesota

2.63/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This used to be a go to beer years ago. Time to try it again.

Pours a copper color with a thin head off white head. Smells of roasted malt and caramel. Doesn't seem to smell or look as good as I remember from years ago.

Has some caramel and toasted malt. Is somewhat sweet, bitter, and dry. Not what I remember when this was contact brewed at Schell's.

Not very complex. Light mouthfeel, the carbonation is nothing special. Not the beer I remember from years ago, unfortunately.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2010 17:48:05 | More by hardy008

srandycarter

California

3.75/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was one of the "extreme beers" when I was a kid... Thought it would be fun to test it out.

A - Brown, tea like, not much off white head, leaves to ring. Not much lace.

S - Straight up solid malt flavor. Not much hop in there.

T - Malty, nice, good bitter finish.

M - Simple beer, but done simply well. Like the balance.

D - Very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2010 01:03:23 | More by srandycarter

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Its been many years since I've had a Pete's. One of the early "micro-brews" from the early 90's.

The head on this beer is pretty impressive. Creamy, tan with excellent retention. The beer is a bright, clear straight amber color. Clumpy lacing remains.

Aroma is straight forward. Toasted malt, light caramel and this almost cinnamon aroma I get in brown's sometimes.

My God is this lighter tasting than I remember. Slightly sweet, light caramel malt flavor. Dry finish after the initial sweetness. Slight toastiness in the aftertaste. Really rather plain, but nice.

Fairly light body, very light carbonation.

Good gateway beer for folks entering the craft world.

It will probably be a while until my next Pete's.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2010 23:50:11 | More by Reagan1984

PintOHops

California

3.23/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Glass - Pint

A - Dark brown/copper color with visible moderate-high Co2, aggressive pour only produced a 1-2 finger head, and retention was pretty bad. Lacing was not worth a mention, leaving only spots.

S - Toasted malts dominate, caramel & burnt sugars with a touch of molasses and biscuit to follow. Nice English hop notes as well, a bit citrus like & pretty nutty.

T - Toasted malts & biscuit upfront, a sudden bright citrus notes to follow with a nice English hop flavor. Finishes with very mild bitterness with cracker and burnt sugar like flavors that linger on the palate briefly.

M - Pretty crisp with a sorta heavy feel, almost chewy like. Around medium bodied.

D - Pretty drinkable but I got a little bored of it alone, pairing with food would be better, as I could only drink a couple pints, maybe 3 without food. I guess I got tired of the burnt sugar like flavors that seemed to dominate after awhile, not bad but I wouldn't seek it out, just a decent session brew that's priced well in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2010 19:48:21 | More by PintOHops

thekanna

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a nice reddish amber with a thin, white head.

S: Some citrusy hops and faint malt sweetness.

T: Sweet biscuity flavor followed by caramel hops that are not biting at all; actually, hop flavors are subdued such that they are almost inviting instead of piercing, as most hoppy beers are.

M: Ridiculously smooth; most hoppy ales have a sharp bite but this one goes down as maltily and easily as possible.

D: Certainly have to say that this is something new: a hoppy beer that goes down smooth. Was not expecting that.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2010 07:29:20 | More by thekanna

Minkybut

Virginia

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

I poured this average beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer poured a nice mahogany colored tan head. However the head went away really fast and looked flat. The beer had a nice malty smell with a hint of fruit. However the taste ended uop being more fruity. The finish was a flat bitter taste. Will not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 19:25:26 | More by Minkybut

LordAdmNelson

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Overall, a pretty inoffensive beer. Look's nice with decent off-white head on top of a beautiful ruby color. Some lacing too. Smell leaves something to be desired, a bit of lightly roasted malt, some citrus hops, slight off-notes. Taste follows suit, not very robust, again with the malt taking the foreground. I would say toffee-flavored, but something about the malt bill seems forced or synthetic, so I'll say imitation toffee. Light citrus too. MF is decent, a bit over-carbonated, but not terrible. An easy drink, just not what I'd go for when looking for a good brown.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2010 11:46:31 | More by LordAdmNelson

whtguitarguy

Virginia

4/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This one is pretty decent. Pours to a brown color with a slight head that goes away. Right away has the aroma of hops. It has a sweet flavor with nutty and caramel notes. It is also a little fruity and has a slight citrus flavor. Mouthfeel is medium, coats the inside of the mouth just a little and rather pleasantly.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2009 23:14:51 | More by whtguitarguy

tone77

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a brown color with a small head. Smell is mainly of malts, some hops. Taste is good, malts and hops, a touch of caramel. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and has average drinkability. Overall this is a decent product.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2009 16:39:48 | More by tone77

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear amber color with a slightly off white head that doesn't display much retension. Aroma of malt and a touch of hops. Taste is pleasantly malty that is met with just a minor hop bitterness. Carb on this is overboard to the extent of being quite prickly and a distraction. Med to light feel. Lingering taste of malt and grain is left in the mouth. A very drinkable beer and fine example. Only gripe being the carb and lack of head, other than that pretty decent.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2009 00:08:32 | More by stakem

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.13/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into an Imperial Pint. 10249 printed on the neck. No other info.

A - Pete's pours a clear red-amber color with a good off-white head. Decent retention and some arcs of lacing on the glass.

S - The aroma is husky and grainy with a mild hop aroma that's just a bit floral and some lightly toasted malts. Smells fairly plain but not without promise.

T - The flavor is pretty thin at first gulp. It has a dry malt flavor that's more straw-like. A touch of hops finishes it out but it has a lager feel to it rather than an ale.

M - Light-medium bodied and smooth but dry to the end. Decently carbonated and a bit thin and slick feeling.

D - It would make for a colorful session beer but it's just a bit lackluster overall. It feels like a lager as opposed to an ale. Not bad but not something I'd search out.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2009 22:42:09 | More by BeerFMAndy

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +31.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12oz brown bottle. No freshness date. Poured into a tulip glass.

A: Dark reddish copper color with a off-white/tan foam head. Settles quickly to light lacing.

S: Rich caramel, fruity and slightly herbal hop scent. Mild sweet aroma.

T & M: Body is light to medium. Mouthfeel is a bit creamy, smooth, but also a bit coarse from the carbonation. Nice sharp hop bitterness that fades quickly to a more familiar brown ale aftertaste. Smooth malt taste in-between the above. Nice balance, overall. Finish is dry with raw grain notes.

I am not a brown ale fan, but this has always been a great fallback brew and is not real typical of the sweet caramel/slightly burnt brown ales that most American brewers have come out with. This is a winner in my book.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2009 21:27:42 | More by cdizinno

deaconoflove

Pennsylvania

2.8/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Ap. Dark reddish brown with a slight head for a few seconds.
Sm. Slightly sweet caramel alternating with a slight "someone got sick in the hallway".
Ta. A little caramel with sweet/tart finish. Tastes better than it smells.
Mf. nice, smooth and filling with light carbonation.
Dr. Good enough, but there are many other better beers out there.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2009 01:03:11 | More by deaconoflove

MadTown1000

Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle calls it "An exceptionally smooth ruby-brown ale." Well, it called the color right anyway. Pours a see-through reddish-brown with maybe 2 fingers of foam. Smell is sweet, syrupy malt. Taste is pretty smooth - too much so, in fact. I'd expect something with the word "Wicked" in its name to have a little bite to it, but there's none to be found. Points for drinkability, but taste points deducted for disappointment. Entirely pleasant, but even if its competing in the sweet brown ale category, you can do better.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2009 03:47:24 | More by MadTown1000

katan

Colorado

3.48/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a pint

A - Pours a light brown color, very clear, some almost amber highlights. Head formation is light - only a small film. Dirty white in color.

S - Light sugary scent combined with an even lighter sweet hop note. Could be taken for a light fruity, almost cherry note.

T - Starts off with a light roasted malt with a nutty texture. Bitterness does appear - but malt still dominates. Little hopping. Finishes with a more sour, almost orangish fruit note. It sticks around on the tongue in the aftertaste.

M - Moderate to light body. Carbonation is present, some sting. Goes down with a creamy texture. Does not leave behind anything on the feel.

D - Easy drinking - abv is manageable. Flavors are well integrated, not overpowering. Slightly filling at times.

Nothing particularly remarkable about this beer, but a solid offering. The aftertaste on the tongue was the lease desirable attribute.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2009 02:30:00 | More by katan

theboozecruise

Louisiana

3.6/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass. Dark brown color, fairly clear with a finger or so of creamy tan head. Not much lacing at all and not a lot of head retention either.

The smell is what you'd expect from a brown ale. Caramel, malts, a little coffee aroma to it.

The taste doesn't offer anything new from the aroma. Malty caramel beer, very refreshing.

A solid above average brown ale, but not quite in the A range.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2009 03:54:30 | More by theboozecruise

drizzam

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured into a clear pint glass. Clear ruby colored ale with a decent one finger off-white foamy head that retained decently, leaving good lacing.

S - Caramelized malts dominate the nose. Some muted raisin or fig scents as well.

T - Taste is slightly sweet...caramelized fruits, raisins and figs I think. Not an overpowering brew by any means...actually quite quaffable.

M & D - Thinnish mouthfeel, light on the palate. Moderate carbonation. Only 5.5% ABV...but seems like even less. Seems a little watered down but not by any means without flavor. I think this could be a highly sessionable brew. I'll be drinking this one again.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2009 01:23:07 | More by drizzam

froghop

Washington

2.9/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pours a clear copper with a small off-white head, and some lacing.

smell is faint, a touch floral, some hops, some malt in the back, and light toffee.

taste is of sour malt, grain, and a touch of citrus, ends a little tart and a little sweet.

overall pretty average.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2009 03:04:32 | More by froghop

erosier

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

L: Pours a darker amber color with a medium bodied and medium sized off white colored head that laces the glass nicely on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet roasted malts, a hint of caramelized malt, and a hint of nuttiness.
T: Tastes of sweet roasted and caramelized malts followed by a hint of nuts and hops.
M: Pretty smooth, light feeling, and light tasting. Perfect amount of carbonation.
D: Very drinkable, a solid brew overall.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2009 10:46:45 | More by erosier

hoplover82

Texas

3.73/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a clear, deep amber color with a medium low ivory slightly creamy head that slowly dissapates to a thin film on the beer with very good lacing.

S-The aroma is strong with slightly nutty burnt caramel notes. Some faint earthy hops too. Very faint.

T-Has a slightly watery taste with some notably bitterness. Watery nuttiness. And burnt caramel too. A little better than average.

M-A solid medium body with a waterinees that cannot be overlooked. The carbonation is pretty good though.

D-Pretty drinkable, givin the abv and ti goes down pretty smooth too.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2009 01:27:15 | More by hoplover82

OnThenIn

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: A nice finger of head that goes away quickly. It has a nice dark ruby red color.

Smell: Not very powerful. Some sweet malty smell.

Taste: A sweet malty flavor with almost no hop presence. Nothing really special.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with a little too much carbonation for the style

Drinkability: I just did not really enjoy this beer. It was rather plain.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2009 00:52:28 | More by OnThenIn