MacTarnahan's Summer Grifter - Portland Brewing Company

ricke49

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It may be that this beer is seriously under-respected. For $1.89 per bomber it's as good a deal in IPAs as can be had. The particular blend of citrus / pine / and malt is pleasant. The head is very lasting. When compared to other budget "summer" offerings, it comes out very strong. I suspect if it were labeled with a more 'favored' label i.e. Deschutes, Sierra Nevada, Stone, etc, it would be received more favorably. But MacTarnahans / Pyramid (particularly Pyramid) is not known for exceeding expectations. I'd consider this a diamond in the rough; and if I were to host a late summer gathering I think Grifter bombers would be available in large numbers. As it is, it's a hell of a bargain and a great way to enjoy real ale without having to go broke.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2009 22:27:31 | More by ricke49

johnnyboy76

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

04-29-2013 00:29:07 | More by johnnyboy76

e-MoNeY

4/5  rDev +10.2%

09-03-2012 23:07:03 | More by e-MoNeY

MikeB91c

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%

08-31-2012 01:28:05 | More by MikeB91c

confusedidols

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

08-03-2012 01:49:53 | More by confusedidols

WaydeRafnel

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +10.2%

07-17-2012 10:12:03 | More by WaydeRafnel

rogerthegill

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%

07-05-2012 04:14:24 | More by rogerthegill

59rockabilly

Kansas

4/5  rDev +10.2%

07-04-2012 21:09:26 | More by 59rockabilly

edwardkersh

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +17.1%

03-31-2012 05:19:12 | More by edwardkersh

kylemckinnis

Oregon

3/5  rDev -17.4%

02-27-2012 01:49:29 | More by kylemckinnis

shelby415

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

02-26-2012 08:28:15 | More by shelby415

SargeC

Japan

4/5  rDev +10.2%

12-30-2011 08:37:20 | More by SargeC

caseyoharaa

California

4/5  rDev +10.2%

12-03-2011 19:22:08 | More by caseyoharaa

rab53

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +10.2%

12-02-2011 03:41:43 | More by rab53

twelveinches

Washington

4/5  rDev +10.2%

11-27-2011 06:58:06 | More by twelveinches

CoryR

Oregon

3/5  rDev -17.4%

11-19-2011 05:07:18 | More by CoryR

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of Lubiere: Poured a light amber color ale with a medium size foamy head with light retention and lacing. Aroma of citrus and piney notes from Cascade hops is dominating. Taste is also dominated by strong citrus and piney notes from the Cascades hops as well as some dry caramel notes. Body is bit thin for style with good carbonation. I guess this was an OK overall experience though nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 17:17:39 | More by Phyl21ca

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.48/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy golden color, a little bit bright. Definitely the grapefruit type of aroma, would have wished for more complexity to it.

More grapefruit, a very bitter ipa, this one definitely has its hop game, but the bitterness is a little too one dimensional without a floral hop presence, its just, dare I say, gratingly harsh, in a nice way, but it would be a very good ipa if it could somehow get some hop mouthfeel upped v. the bitterness in and of itself. Malt body seems fine, maybe more caramel would drown out the one sided bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 19:15:49 | More by Beerandraiderfan

brokennedy120

Idaho

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this poured from a bottle. The hops in this beer taste very very fresh (right off the vine taste) and set it firmly above other local IPAs I have had. Fruity smell and flavor, very clear (no cloudiness) orange color, and light feel. Head comprised of big white bubbles.

I'm just disappointed there isn't more of of it!

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 18:59:47 | More by brokennedy120

sqquuee

Utah

3.55/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this in a pint glass.

Smells of pine, oranges, dank hops.

Appearance clear good orange color. Clear, 1 good solid finger of foam. Superb lacing.

Tastes of pine, slight malt flavor (Munich), slightly sweeter than i like in a IPA, a touch of caramel.

Body is medium.

I would buy another 6er for sure.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 04:10:47 | More by sqquuee

ebrauser

Utah

3.35/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

App: dull dark orange amber with a fine thick 1 inch head. Head leaves ample lacing

Aroma: fresh NW hops with. Lots of grapefruit and citrus zest

Flavor: crisp hop bitterness. Loads of hops hiding pale sweetness from the malt in the back of the flavor. Dry and fresh with only slight bitterness left in the end of the drink

MF: Medium bodied with no coating or thickness. Smooth and not so hopped-out that it is impossible to have more than one

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 03:39:20 | More by ebrauser

CHILLINDYLAN

Washington

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

Clear orange copper. Tight offwhite cap. Sticky waves of lace.

Spicy resins and pine. Toasted bread and caramel. Slightly muted overall. Above average, but not enough to bump up.

Rush of biting citrus and pine. Rolling caramel sweetness and toasted bread. Spicy resin and pine moderate bitterness.

Some drying and some stickiness. Medium-light body. Moderate carbonation.

Refreshing tasty summer IPA. Wont blow you away, but a decent sessionable IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 20:51:06 | More by CHILLINDYLAN

Zarn

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

One of my all time favorite inexpensive IPA's nice godlen orange color, creamy head, nice lace, good mouthfeel good hop parings w/ just the right semi-doughy malt flavor combine for a very very drinkable beverage. It's not just a breakfast food anymore.

This is my go to when the cornies blow!

Z1, Vantucky,WA

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 18:27:04 | More by Zarn

u2carew

Massachusetts

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

Picked this up at Brewforia in Meridan, ID on a road trip. 12oz stubby.
A) Pours with a big, two finger head that sticks around. Creamy, tight, sticky lacing. Subtle haze. Upward carbonation. Amber in color.
S) Orange. Caramel. Pleasant floral aroma. The aroma induces mouth watering.
T) A well balanced combination of malt and hops. Sweet citrus flavors. Sturdy caramel, nutty tones. Finishes with a brown sugar sweetness along with some floral tones... Heather-esque?
M) Medium body. Smooth. Creamy.
D) A delicious brew! I'd have another... if only I had picked up two bottles on that road trip!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2010 22:43:54 | More by u2carew

monkeylovebeer

California

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

Like the name says, this beer is only drifting though town hoping to pull a couple of marks. Come the end of August, it will be gone, and so will a big chunk of your cash.

This limited edition IPA pours a tangerine-tinged gold and throws a surprisingly malt-forward nose complimented with citrus notes. Upon first sip, the malt profile holds your attention as the hops (Chinook, CTZ, Cascade, and Centennial) sneak in the back, quietly.

At a mere 54 IBUs, I would have called this an American Pale Ale; it's not what I expected for the style, but I found myself warming to this mongrel. With so many West Coast IPAs vying to each be hoppier than the last, the Grifter is a refreshing change of ... God damn it! Where's my wallet?

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2010 03:37:28 | More by monkeylovebeer