Freshchester Pale Ale - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

alexgash

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle.

Pours a clear, golden orange. Two fingers of cobwebby, light beige head. Some frothy lacing. Nose shows a balance of malt and hops. Pine and citrus play nicely with fruity, almost tropically, malt.

Toasted grains up front. Herbal, grassy bitterness picks up. Cookie and sweetish fruit malt build a nice solid foundation. Floral, citrus, and pine hop notes carry to the finish. Dryish and refreshing, with lots of lingering hop and sugary malt goodness. Medium-bodied, with a lively, yet natural, feel. Very nice and eminently drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 22:37:57 | More by alexgash

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle was poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: The beer poured a small head that has reduced to a thin layer and left some nice lacing. It is a pale orange with good clarity and some bubbles coming up through the glass.

Smell: slightly bready and malty notes, some fruity notes, and citrus in there also.

Taste: bready and caramel up front with slight citrus hop bitterness. A nice and balanced beer and traditional to the style.

Mouthfeel: smooth, a little chewy, medium carbonation, medium bodied, and easy to drink.

Overall: A nice offering from Capt. Lawrence. Happy to have stumbled across this one and happy that somebody brought these beers from NY to MA too.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 00:40:18 | More by Flounder57

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Interesting pale it's a clear amber brown with a 1/2 inch of sudsy opaque colored head.

S - First smell is of some great citrus hops, a touch of caramel, toffee, and English malts. Rather unexpected to get more sweet than hoppy.

T - Citrus and mango hops carry the beer well into the finish with sweet English malts giving a mid bit of toffee and tea. Not very bittering and balanced.

M - Light to medium.

Overall this may be the best beer I have had by these guys. Way easier to drink than the DIPA and renews my love for hoppy pale ales. Will have to get this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 05:56:22 | More by DrDemento456

davey101

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had this on tap a few months back. In my drunken stupor I gave it a "4" under the "Hads" category. Let see if the bottle matches that. 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. No clue on age, but Captain six packs are new to CT so it can't be too old.

A - Nice amber body. Massive fluffy off white head forms. That settles down after a while to a dirty cap of sudsy foam. Very nice lacing and retention. Looks about perfect for a pale ale.

S - Rather english in aroma. Bready and caramel toffee malts followed by a pleasant citrus and piney hop finish. Well balanced and inviting.

T - Really tasty. Starts off with a blast of malts, very caramel and toffee heavy. This is followed by citrus fruit and some piney resin. Finally a light bitterness washes over everything and sticks around a bit on the tongue. Flavors end cleanly and abruptly. Mouth feel is medium bodied with low carbonation.

O - Really enjoyable flavors with just enough bitterness to keep it from being too drinkable. A really impressive pale.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 02:13:56 | More by davey101

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at a bar in NYC..cant remember the name of the bar.
Pours a caramel amber color with small amount of head into standard pint glass. Smells of hoppy malts with some notes of pine and candy. Taste is very smooth malted hops with a nice balance of bitter hops with sweet malts. Very drinkable and full of flavor. A Captain standard and a great session brew.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2012 15:06:22 | More by DrinkSlurm

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Top Hops.

I found this to be a refreshing and exceptionally tasty pale ale; on the darker, deep golden side, with a finger of white head that settles slowly and good lacing. Aroma is mildy citric and hoppy, biscuity malt and lightly sweet. The flavor follows suit; it’s hopped just enough for a contemporary pale but not so much it’s really an IPA. There are aspects of citrus, pine, and some floral notes, moderate bitterness, with a solid biscuit malt backbone and again, just a touch of sweetness. Finish is fairly dry.

Body was just on the light side of medium; moderate carbonation was enough to make it crisp and clean but not so much to make it prickly. I imagine the tap serving smoothed it out a bit and would be interested in contrasting it with the bottled version (which I will pick up soon!).

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2012 15:49:29 | More by tobelerone

rlee1390

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Translucent amber, two finger head, not much carbonation with some lacing.

S-Nice balance between the malt bill and the grassy and citrus hops.

T-Grass and citrus hops, some caramel, good balance with some bitterness.

M-Medium bodied, well carbonated, smooth.

O-One of the better APAs out there, not overpowering but well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 03:29:00 | More by rlee1390

rdilauro

Connecticut

4.19/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured a nice golden amber into my glass. A small but dense creamy head added to the appearance.
I could detect the hops and citrus in the aroma. Very pleasant, nothing too much or too little.
The first taste was really nice. It was smooth, a perfect balance between Malt,Yeast and Hops. Relatively big , but not bold.
A nice lingering aftertaste.
For me, it was a really nice Pale Ale. I wasnt looking for tons of hops in this one, and I got just what I was after.
An easy drinking pale ale with all the things you are looking for to have on a nice sunny relaxing day.

I had this one at room temperature. I tasted the first one from the cooler. Honestly, the room temperature one was even better tasting.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 15:00:11 | More by rdilauro

SpdKilz

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A big thanks to Whartontallboy for this extra. Cheers!

Appearance – Pours into my trusty tulip with a dark amber color and two fingers of slightly off white head that dissipates slowly leaving nice lacing.

Smell – Lots of hops, breadiness, caramel, malts, and floral notes.

Taste – A bit hoppier than I was expecting from the aroma. After the nice hop bite you get a slight orange citrus flavor that fades rather quickly into bready malts. Finishes with a sweet caramel backbone.

Mouthfeel – Medium bodied, good carbonation, finishes just a tad dry.

Overall – A solid APA and one I am enjoying on this beautiful Friday night.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 23:21:08 | More by SpdKilz

Tschnab

New York

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- the pour is orangeish brown, quite dark for an APA. One inch cap of off white foam.

S- toasty grain, very bready and doughy malt, bright and citrusy hops.

T- there is a great balance between cereal grain, bread, and lemon peel and grapefruity hops.

O- A pretty remarkably balanced pale ale here. I really enjoyed it, a bit more hops would make this stellar.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 14:04:51 | More by Tschnab

Sharkophile

New York

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured into a pint glass, appears a nice, slightly hazed copper color with a big white head. Retention is okay.

S: Toasted malt with a nice pine, citrus and floral bite from the hops. Very nice.

T: Solid malt backbone of toasted grain and light caramel/toffee, followed by sweet, floral and orangey hop flavor which becomes more resiny and grapefruit-like in the dry, hoppy aftertaste. Very little bitterness.

M: Medium body with excellent carbonation.

O: One of the best pale ales I've had. Loaded with awesome hop flavor that is just complex enough but still easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 06:48:47 | More by Sharkophile

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Poured very murky for a Pale Ale. Also quite dark. Lack of head does leave incredibly consistent lacing surprisingly.

S-Hoppy and bread. Citrus mixed with sweet bread. Not very intense but it does boast a nice overall aroma.

T-Quite like the nose. Lacks enough hoppiness to really make me a big fan. Very nice balance however. Bready, grainy, and citrusy hoppiness.

M-Mellow carbonation. Smooth and creamy. More body than most Pale Ales.

O/D-A pretty nice Pale Ale. Quite unique. Very close to loving this beer. But I will say I really enjoyed it in the end. A good sipper that goes down quick.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2012 01:40:04 | More by VelvetExtract

cosmicevan

New York

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

another one from the new bottling line at capt lawrence. enjoyed out of a captain lawrence taster tulip.

a - brew poured a transparent amber with a generous frothy white head (almost looks ipa-ish). lacing was thick and chunky and the head hung out forever. really milkshake like. one of the biggest heads i've seen on a pale ale...one of the more attractive pale ales i've seen.

s - very earthy and malty. no real hop presence to speak of. almost fat tire like in the smell...grainy and grassy.

t - much like the nose suggests, lots of earthiness and malt forward. large grain bill. somewhat buttery and bready. more english pale than american, but tasty.

m - medium bodied, buttery.

o - overall a nice pale ale...heavy on the malts, but it works nicely. pretty sessionable at 5.6. if you are looking for a hoppy pale ale, look elsewhere, but an easy drinker that is relatively unassuming and goes down smooth, this is your beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 02:54:46 | More by cosmicevan

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Rattle N Hum in New York, NY

A: Pours a crystal clear pale golden yellow with an average sized white head. The head reduces over time but leaves a thin layer of bubbles across the entire top of the beer with a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate lacing is observed.

S: This beer has a very faint aroma overall with a more grainy/malty aroma than one of hops.

T: A very sharp flavor of a solid malt body with a pleasant hop profile as well. Well balanced and hints of citrus from the hops.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Easy to drinker and lighter in hops than some of the west coast examples of this style. Very enjoyable and a quite sessionable beer. This would be good at a sunny but cool afternoon cook out.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 16:22:49 | More by dbrauneis

beerisblood

Connecticut

2.95/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Great beer. Not as hoppy as some of the West coast stuff, but good just the same. it's a mild APA. A good version for those trying to break the mass produced brain wash assault. IMO, this should be their flagship. Great session beer. Can be found through out westchester (NY) county. Always fun visiting the brewery too!

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2011 22:09:54 | More by beerisblood

lovindahops

New York

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wow on draft...

A- freshchester pours a slightly copper body with a fair head of foam and lacing on the sides of the glass. Color is both appealing and inviting

S- a grainy bill with some bready and buttery scents. A little bit of fruitiness as well

T- a solid malt flavor completely matched with a hop presence that stays under the radar. Not a blast of flavor but moreover refreshing. Enjoyable

M- carbonation is spot on and a crisp flavor of grain remains

O- a good am pale ale that is not overextended with any flavors. Very crisp and will be enjoyed again

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 22:19:57 | More by lovindahops

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This brew poured out as a nice yellowish gold color with a strong looking white head on top. The smell of the beer gives off a nice amount of hops and grainy malts. The taste of the beer is pretty good, it's got a nice balance of hops and malts in there. The mouthfeel of this beer is easy going and smooth. Overall this beer is pretty good, I would like to have it again one day.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 18:58:06 | More by Knapp85

OutFox

New York

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at The 12th Street Ale House in NYC.

A - Deep copper in color. Pure white head with great lacing and decent retention.

S - Not a lot of hops in the nose which is pleasing since most breweries are making over hopped pales these days. Malty sort of sweet aroma.

T - Great balance. Enough hops to get the citrus from them and well countered well by the malt.

M - Not to light. Good palate coating mouthfeel. Seriously enjoyable.

O - Captain Lawrence is a fantastic brewery and this is a prime example. Great pale ale. Its a great session sort of beer. Great to drink during g football because it has great taste and isn't to heavy.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 17:19:04 | More by OutFox

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bierkraft growler

A: Clear orange, decent retention and lacing.

S: Floral and fruity hops with a very light breadiness.

T: Butter and bread with floral and citrus hops. There is a solid hop bitterness. On the first pint, I found that the bitterness took over the malt and hop character. After eating, and also on the following day, I found the bitterness much less pronounced and that the floral hops and bready malt came though much more, making for a nicely balanced beer.

M: Medium with good carbonation.

O: A solid, drinkable (except for the first pint) pale ale.

Serving type: growler

09-11-2011 00:36:59 | More by greybeardloon

JizackFH

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at Pug Uglies in Manhattan.

A - This beer pours a nice light copper color. It has a thin white head on top. The head doesn't stick around long, and leaves some decent lace on the glass.

S - There is a nice slightly sweet caramel maltiness here, as well as a nice bit of citrus. There is also a bit of floral and pine hops.

T - There is a nice sweet caramel malt backbone with a nice piney bitter hop presence. There is some breadiness and citrus here as well. The finish leaves some lingering hop bitterness on the palate.

M - This has a medium body and good carbonation. It goes down easy and has a really nice flavor. It is slightly sweet and has a nice bitter hop bite to it.

O - This has good drinkability. I could easily drink a few pints of this in a sitting. Overall, I think its a really nice APA. It is more on the hoppy side for the style, but I like that in a pale ale. I would buy this again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2011 08:16:37 | More by JizackFH

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap. Pours a murky burnt orangey amber color with a 1/2 inch of head. Lots of lacing. Aroma is citrusy with some floral and tropical fruit notes. Smells sweet and hoppy. Taste is some bitter citrus upfront with a big amount of floral hops. Floral finish. Easy to drink with a nice amount of bitter flavor. Creamy mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Overall, its a pretty good Pale Ale worth a second look.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2011 17:40:32 | More by PicoPapa

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at bmanning's wedding. Many pours into a pint glass.

Pours a moderate orange-copper color with a good white head and nice retention. Spotty lacing on the glass throughout. The nose carries some light bready notes plus a plethora of hop character. There's some citrus and pine hops and the overall character is mildly floral. The flavor is along the same lines, though the bitterness comes through more than hop flavor. Medium body with good carbonation and a nice bitterness. Overall, a very well made pale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 15:36:30 | More by Thorpe429

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

another gem in a little growler, i wish more places did this!

amber color that had a good bit of cloudiness to it that helped give it that solid an really full look i wanted. nice head of white capped it off nearly perfectly.

highly hopped aroma with a ton citrus coming though. light buttery an biscuit like middle is well placed and gives it a certain depth that is welcomed for sure. really just ideally placed i have to say. smooth sailing from here on in as the nice bite from the hops dries out the palate and leaves me sitting with a really nice and full flavor that was just spot on and a great dry finish,

Serving type: growler

07-11-2011 03:12:50 | More by mikesgroove

hmk22

New York

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

A great exemplar of the APA style with all the hoppiness and texture you'd want. Every American craft brewer lives or dies by his pale ale it seems, and CL's recipe is a first class offering, esp. if you can get it right at the brewery -- super-fresh, with an irresitable hops aroma, and just the right ("castle") temperature. A great intro. to CL's offerings.

Serving type: growler

05-23-2011 00:21:28 | More by hmk22

metter98

New York

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is clear amber in color and has a very slight amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high dense off white head that has good retention properties and consistently left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are light aromas of citrus hops in the nose.
T: Citrus flavors from the hops stand out in the taste; however these are well balanced by the underlying malts. There is a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a slight amount of dryness.
O: The beer is very easy to drink and the good balance in the flavors makes it an excellent accompaniment to food.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2011 14:19:55 | More by metter98