Stone Mill Organic Pale Ale - Green Valley Brewing Company (Crooked Creek)

naterock

Missouri

3.3/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Not To impressed, and that's what I thought before I saw the AB label. an overwhelming smell and taste of alcohol. This beer lacked where Pale Ales should be successful. Overall, a very unremarkable beer. The next beer I had that evening was something else.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2008 18:40:46 | More by naterock

jadpsu

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was my first consumption of an organic beer where I was focused on, and thinking about the beer qualities to be rated.
This beer poured a generous head that had above average staying power. Moderate clear amber color that made for a pleasant appearance.
Malt hop balance definitly leaned on the malt side in both smell and taste, but hops came though in slightly bitter after taste. Slight caramel oder as well.

Mouthfeel is full and creamy. A good beer that you will want to take your time and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2008 21:41:28 | More by jadpsu

Natural510

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours an inch-thick head from 12oz bottle with a rich amber color.
Not much nose to speak of, other than a faint maltiness.
Malt & hops balance each other out flavor-wise, tho neither really makes itself known. Carries a slight bitter edge in aftertaste. A caramel note to the flavor as well. Nothing too pronounced.
Good mouthful...stays carbonated and fairly lively as it rolls along the tongue.
Above-average drinkability; a few of these could go down easy, particularly in warmer weather.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 22:40:40 | More by Natural510

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.68/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle with a code "07243" (bottled on?), served in a pilsner glass.
Note: The bottle I had was marked as 'brewed and bottled in Merrimack, NH'.

A - clear, golden amber color with a big fluffy tan head that lasted most of the glass before thinning to a layer that left good lacing.

S - bitter smelling hop aroma.

T - malty flavor is balanced with bitter hop bite, dry finish.

M - light/medium body with crisp carbonation.

D - easy drinking and refreshing beer.

Final Note: Only after doing my review did I read that this beer is an AB product and it doesn't change what I think of the beer I drank.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2008 23:15:59 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

chilidog

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I've been wanting to try Stone Mill for some time. Its just I knew A-B launched this brew and I guess I was no hurry. so..

It pours a fair looking amber orange. The head, slight tan, left whiffs of white lace.

The aroma was earthy with hints of citric hop and mild malt.

The taste carries that mild but present citric hop with a good malt base. Hints of pine and pepper spice are noted as well.

The mouth feels the spice and the slight pine-like drying toward the finish.

Drinkability is there. Its a smooth beer, not to big in any area, but just enough taste to appeal to the organic side with flavor.

My guess I should of got to thisone sooner.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2008 02:47:18 | More by chilidog

MickAv8r

New Hampshire

2.83/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured amber in color with minimal head. Some stickiness to the head but no lacing. Brewed locally in Merrimack (large New England AB plant). Hoppy but not tasting much malt.

This may actually be better on a hot summer day than mid winter, as it does have a nice crisp hoppy bite with good effervescent carbonation but initial impression I had was "Boy this is missing something" as there seems to be almost no body to this beer which is probably why it's getting just average reviews.

Probably a great step towards drinking ales and german lagers for those who are used to american water lagers =)

Not bad, but now that I've had it I don't think I'd buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2008 18:36:23 | More by MickAv8r

SpencerT

Ohio

3.23/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This Pale Ale pours an ale with an amber hue with orange tint. It does not seem to create an impressive head. It seems typical in color for Pale Ales. The carbonation seems average.

The aroma is of the malts overwhelms the aroma hops.
The malty aroma translates into the flavor of course and is upfront. The hops seem to build with the caramel flavor of the malt. It finishes fairly clean with a touch of dryness from the alcohol.

Medium carbonation gives this a typical pale ale mouth-feel. It would go well with a vegan dish as well as a poultry dish.

The character of this ale is not offensive at all, a middle of the road brew. This would be a good intro Pale Ale for someone who has never had a Pale Ale. Nothing memorable.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2008 15:48:36 | More by SpencerT

PorterLambic

Florida

2.83/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I'm a little confused. The bottle I have in front of me looks very similar to the one pictured and any variation is probably from the poor quality of the picture. The real confusion is derived from the brewers locale. Here it says CA, my bottles all say "Brewed and Bottled by Green Valley Brewing, Merrimack, N.H." 1-877-963-4732 is the number listed on the label.
Per their website, stonemillpaleale.com, they are also a part of the vast Anheuser-Busch family.

Well, on to the review.
Pours a light amber/brown. Very clear and rich color like whiskey after the small white head disappears. That doesn't take very long, either. No lacing left behind.
Smell is negligible, very hard to make differentiation from. Some malt and hops, nothing else.
Taste is a great deal easier to determine. Hops, malt, citrusy with a hint of oak or maple.
Medium body with a bit more hop bite (and carry) than expected for the style. Some alcohol shows up in the aftertaste otherwise it's just hops with a hint of vanilla & oak.
All told, a decent beer at best but nothing more. I won't buy it again but if offered one - with no better choices available - I'd drink it.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2008 23:41:45 | More by PorterLambic

barleywinefiend

Washington

3/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Ahhh it was mediocre. Had from bottle at Claim Jumper Scottsdale. Poured as a typical pale, noy much head carbonation or lacing. Very little aroma. The taste was a little citrousy and floral. Not really complex with backbone. I have had better Pales but I have had worse to. In a pinch it would be good.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2008 17:24:57 | More by barleywinefiend

Vancer

Illinois

3/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A very lite amber pour, almost straw yellow, and with a massive ivory head. Nice lacing all the way. Aroma was more malt than hop, and the quaff was quite malty also, especially for a P.A.

Smooth drinking, but more woody than I would have like. This organics always seem to lack any real character or body, somewhat lifeless. Drinkability would remain good, for a full sixer, but I wouldn't be motivated to do so.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2008 03:04:33 | More by Vancer

armock

New York

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

A - Poured a copper color with a thin off white head that dissipates to a thin covering

S - Is of malt and a little bit of hops

T - Sweet malt and a bit of hops for the taste

M - Theres a medium level of carbonation in this beer

D - Over all I would say this is just an average beer nothing to say wow about but it is much better than the other AB beers

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2008 20:53:25 | More by armock

csmiley

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Pours gold and clear. Ended up with a half inch of head. Retention was average. Lacing was average.

S - Overall light on the nose. Slight hop aroma mixed with a butterscotch and alcohol.

T - Taste follows smell. Pretty good balance of sweet and bitter in this one. Sticks pretty well with the style. No one flavor really stands out in this brew. They all just go well together.

M - Light bodied with average carbonation. Finishes a little dry.

D - Even though there was not one area where this beer was great, all the areas came together to really make this beer very drinkable

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2008 02:00:06 | More by csmiley

Strix

Wisconsin

3.08/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Golden orange with a thick head. Smell is vaguely grassy and hoppy. Taste is a bit grassy, with a hint of butter that I do not really go for, and a slight hop finish. Mouthfeel isn't bad. Props for being organic, but this is nothing to really write home about.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2008 01:40:59 | More by Strix

Overlord

California

2.35/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a bright coppery color. Some head, but strangely enough, not much carbonation.

Some caramel and malt tones, maybe a hint of hoppiness and bitter, but this has a strange skunky aftertaste that is simply not appealing. Mouthfeel is thin and watery. Avoid.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 10:31:05 | More by Overlord

theozag

Louisiana

1.8/5  rDev -42.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Crystal clear in the glass with deep amber (red-brown) color. Beige head fades fast. Smell is sugary sweet with perhaps some ginger character. Stats extremely strong and sour. Full-bodied but painfully strong with an over-bitter taste. Drinking this beer was similar to downing a too-old porter; nothing stands out. Finish is thankfully wet with relatively little aftertaste.

judging, however, by the reviews of my colleagues, i suspect that the particular bottle i tried had been sold past its shelf life. i hhoto have another opportunity to review a fresh bottle later.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 19:07:50 | More by theozag

travolta

California

2.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance:
A bright clear apricot in color. Head retention was minimal. head form was tight in the middle with full bubbles around the edges. Lacing was minimal.

Nose:
Slight malt, metallic and copper up front. A little bit of dry wheat and malt with the finish. No pronounced hops.

Taste:
Dry and lightly carbonated. It has a comfortable mouthfeel. A tiny bit of malt smooth texture towards the ends. Nothing comes out and grabs you. It has a middle of the road, dry, metallic taste. No real character, however, very drinkable.

Notes:
Not bad for an introduction to craft beer.If you are trying to get your friends to switch over, give them this. If it's for you, your not missing much.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2007 23:34:39 | More by travolta

cswhitehorse

Oregon

3.35/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The Stone Mill Pale Ale pours a clear light amber color with very little foam head but leaves some nice lacing down the side of the glass. The smell is some nice hop aroma and the taste rounds it out with a piney ness. It is a fairly thin beer that leaves it mark on the tip of the tongue and back of the throat. It is definitely one of the better organic beers I have tried.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2007 03:01:09 | More by cswhitehorse

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: bottle from France 44 poured into a Sam Adams glass

A: copper ale, golden highlights, white head the fell quickly.

S: malty, biscuity, Northwest American hops, possibly Cascade or Williamette, some citrus, spicy, and little metallic.

T: very sweet, malty, spicy and peppery, though not much of the hop bite.

M: light, a little watery, but ok

D: easy and light, maybe too light

Overall: not a bad beer, but not that exciting either. It tastes a bit off to me, a decent pale ale but not the clean, crisp taste of hops on malt that the style calls for.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2007 19:39:19 | More by FightingEntropy

dippy

Massachusetts

2.58/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This is a beer that only a mother could love.

A hard pour rendered little head. Light brown/copper

Not much on the smell front. Faint hops.

Very mellow flavors. Tasted organic.

Good drinkability, but you wouldn't want to drink it.

I love oragnic foods. I buy them cook with them and even grow them. This beer seems to be capitolizing more on organic hype than acctually doing it for the love of organic/beer. If they loved their beer more thatn I would love drinking it more.

I won't buy this again, but I will continue to look for the Great organic beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2007 16:41:43 | More by dippy

Dogbrick

Ohio

2.68/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer is a clear copper/amber color with a medium thin and creamy white head with quick dissipation. Little lacing is evident. Mildly malty and hoppy aroma. Light-bodied and moderately malty with a light hops presence as well. Very little else going on in the flavor department. The finish is mildly hoppy with a touch of spice. This is a forgettable beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2007 17:55:59 | More by Dogbrick

danielharper

Michigan

3.38/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a reddish-orange color with a thin but foamy white head. Slightly hazy.

S: Hoppy, fruity. Hints of apples.

T: Nice hop flavor, strongly sweet. Perhaps a bit astringent.

M: Fairly thin, hops bitter the tongue.

D: Decent. A quaffer. A totally average beer for the most part.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2007 23:36:08 | More by danielharper

Durge

Connecticut

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

Iced tea color with a thin head and good lacing throughout. It has a crisp smell of oats and apple with some carmel and malt. It has a clean wheat flavor, some more malt and dry grass. It is a little thin but has a peppery carbonation that works alright. It's very passable but not memorable. Could drink plenty of them with no offending qualities, if that's what floats your boat.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2007 04:53:13 | More by Durge

Guardian

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Copper color, a bit of head

S- Very average, slight floral smell

T- Again....average...not good, but not bad

M- Dare I say it again? Average. Nothing remarkable...light feeling

D- Quite possible to drink a few of these, but the beer is so average that I would probably not buy a six-pack to do so.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2007 18:20:15 | More by Guardian

Drew966

Florida

3.28/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Stone Mill Organic Pale Ale pours a light copper color with a white head from a brown twelve ounce bottle. Biscuity malt is most noticeable in the aroma, just a touch of hops too. Well, the flavor is pleasant, but very mild. A touch of hops and a touch of malt. Well balanced, very clean, but somehow quite lacking. The flavors aren't bad, they just seem too muted, even for the style. Pleasant enough, and sessionable. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2007 01:24:19 | More by Drew966

drpimento

Wisconsin

2.5/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured with almost no head and no lace. What little head there was left quick time. Aroma was light and unremarkable. Light body and a bit overcarbonated. Nice deep clear amber color though. Slighty hoppy and quite fruity flavor. A bit of malt. Boring finish.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2007 00:00:50 | More by drpimento