Devil's Ale - SanTan Brewing Co.

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Sampled at 1702; March 2010
This arrives topped by a pale tan colored head that is just about half a finger in height. The beer is an amber color that shows a clear'ish copper hue to it when held up to the light. The aroma is somewhat hoppy smelling with a mix of grapefruit, light menthol, grassy pine and herbal notes. The finish of the nose has a touch of soap to it. If you really dig around you can find some notes of toasted grain and a hint of caramel maltiness.

The beer is nicely bitter, with pine like hop flavors from the beginning to the end of each sip. Actually, both of these become more prominent towards the finish. Some soap-like flavors and a body that is not quite big enough to stand up to the hop character are the most noticeable flaws in this brew. I find myself enjoying this less and less as I take each sip; thin, herbal, grassy and a way to subtle malt character that doesn't manage to play even the needed supporting role to the hops all sort of kill this for me. This isn't horrible, just way unbalanced.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2010 22:57:34 | More by Gueuzedude

mactrail

California

3.18/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Big, rich, and woody tasting. Nice copper color in the pint glass. Expansive nose of flowery hops is the best feature. Sharp and resiny taste. Hoppy bitterness is powerful. More of an IPA to my mind, but maybe there is some distinction that evades me. Rather astringent with that earthy and woody flavor joining up with some kind of acidity.

Not very drinkable, but the hop flavor is pleasing for a brief moment.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 21:59:17 | More by mactrail

drabmuh

Maryland

3.18/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Part of my Arizona trip, not really a fan of this beer...at all. Beer served in a shaker pint, beer is amber and mostly clear with an off white head.

Aroma is malt with hints of hops.

Beer sort of tastes like a wet blanket, has that malt...old feel to it. Maybe this is an older bottle. I'd give this beer a second chance on draft sometime but as it stands now this is not a repeat. Mediocre at best.

Serving type: can

12-31-2012 00:48:26 | More by drabmuh

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy orange-ish to yellow color with an off white head. In the aroma, citrus like hops. In the taste, orange citrus hops, yet lacking an ending flavor. A small hop bite and medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry pine like hop in the aftertaste. Big nose and start of the beer, but lacking an end.

Serving type: can

12-12-2011 19:16:24 | More by OWSLEY069

tylerzander

Arizona

3.38/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a slightly hazy light copper color with an off-white one finger head, larger bubbles which tighten up as the foam subsides, good retention and lacing

S - piney upfront with lemon and grapefruit aromas: typical American pale ale aroma hops, not to say that typical is bad by any means, with a light caramel malt nose as a backdrop for the hops to shine

T - despite the relatively strong aroma, the hop flavor is subdued, with just some shadows of citrusy bitterness and the maltiness is more upfront, with a slightly oxidized taste, wish I would have gotten to this sooner

M - prickly high level of carbonation, and while I tend to like a dry pale ale, this one treads the line on being too thin, and the higher level of carbonation seems to emphasize the thinness rather than offset it; a little degassing actually seems to help this beer out a lot, and enhances the malt body and character

D - not a bad pale ale, but (like most) one you would be best served to drink brewery fresh; up against the ubiquitous standard of Sierra Nevada pale ale, this would lose out, sadly

Serving type: can

11-26-2012 20:16:26 | More by tylerzander

yemenmocha

Arizona

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Copper color to me, not really amber. From the can it pours with a nice head of white creamy goodness. Nose had some pleasant candied aromas along with sweet pine. On the palate the malt comes through with a somewhat candied sweetness, grapefruit, and again the pine. Light bodied though, almost watery. Finishes with a piney aftertaste. In a way this is an IPA-light - some similar desirable flavors and aromas, but less bitterness, less alcohol, and lighter bodied.

Serving type: can

11-07-2010 05:01:27 | More by yemenmocha

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.55/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Served a bland sort of amber with a tan head - medium sized bubbles that don't stick much. Brew salts are notable in the aroma, with enough grassy hops to maybe suffice. Fairly herbal as well, with a touch of toasted grain and caramel sweetness. Not much to behold just yet - although we are at an establishment with no draft menu, where the waiter says "I have everything, so many taps..." and then can't even pull an IPA out of his ass. I ask for something hoppy, and get this...

Not the beer's fault. Fairly piney and menthol-like deep into the flavor. Pretty watery after all, as the malts just can't rise to the occasion. Too thin to handle the hops, which become unpleasantly acidic. Balance is way off and the brew salt/metallic note must be dealt with. I may give this a shot canned sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2011 04:14:48 | More by BretSikkink

Phelps

Arizona

3.58/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Fun fact: this beer was formerly known as Sun Devil Ale, but the fascists at my alma mater, Arizona State University, decided to crack down on SanTan and claimed the brewery was infringing on their copyright. Now known simply as Devil's Ale, this one was poured into a chilled glass from a can emblazoned with the saying "Craft beer for beer drinking."

The look is a perfectly clear pale orange-tinged dandelion. A 1.5 finger head of fluffy yellowish white sits atop, receding slowly to a hefty top layer of soapy film that grips the glass in jagged-edged sheets.

Smells dank. It's pretty hoppy for a simple pale ale. Notes of tangerine, orange blossom, honey and fresh fresh-cut grass are noticeable amidst a candy sweetness.

There's far more bitterness in the flavor than in the nose. Lots of orange peel, grass and pale malt. The substantial bitterness rolls in after the swallow, coating the mouth. Pretty standard.

A prickly medium carbonation makes the beer moderately fizzy as it moves about. Medium light body, just a bit watery. Clean, crisp.

An above-average pale ale and one of the better offerings from SanTan. I enjoyed it, though admittedly the experience was enhanced by watching the Sun Devils upset the University of Arizona in their own house. Victory never tasted so sweet.

Serving type: can

12-06-2010 23:17:58 | More by Phelps

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

hazy amber pour with a finger of head which quickly disappeared. smells of caramel, bread, spanish rice, and a citrusy orange/lemon scent. tastes slightly metallic with a nice grassy flavor, slight hint of bitterness builds a solid backbone, while subtle maltyness distracts your tastebuds - banana, smoked, dirt. light bodied leaning towards medium - fizzy carbonation but a bit syrupy to be light bodied.

overall, this is a bit bitter for an apa, but i do like 'em bitter, so i can't complain too much! a bit heavy on the malt and not so much hop profile. no sign of a best before date on the can, so i can't tell if it just wasn't fresh or if this is just how their style is. personally, i like my apa's / ipa's to be refreshing, and they usually are. this is just more of a gut filler.

Serving type: can

05-10-2012 05:59:31 | More by facundoCNB

Gatch

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a thick, fluffy, off-white head that slowly settles into some sticky lace. Amber in color with shades of copper.

S - Malt and hops. Something nasty that I can't detect.

T - Great balance of sweet malt and bitter hops. Neither overpowers. Fairly hoppy for a Pale Ale. A bit of alcohol. Some piney, bitter notes from the hops. Fruity sweetness.

M - Refreshing at first but it becomes cloying. The taste of old hops hangs around too long.

I'm sure it's much better from the tap.

Serving type: can

09-01-2011 08:58:56 | More by Gatch

denver10

Colorado

3.66/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours an orangey amber with a nice white head. Aroma was of some caramel malt, grapefruit, and orange. Flavor followed suit. Only mildly bitter.A medium bodied somehwat active mouthfeel. Overall, a solid APA. Not a standout for the style, but perfectly enjoyable.

Serving type: can

03-18-2013 03:16:41 | More by denver10

Jason

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can with no freshness date.

Brassy color has a good clarity, three fingers of head leaves behind a trail of lacing. Soft citric nose with a bigger caramel note. Snappy crispness with a creamy medium body. Citric hops and caramel malt battle it out but realize they are great together and meld for a bittersweet finish. Hint of toasted bread and pear-like fruitiness. The orange peel and piney hop flavor does seem to take the lead though as the dryness pulls towards the end.

Tasty, the hops surprise in the end with a broader stroke. A bit of a session ale as well.

Serving type: can

11-10-2010 03:30:47 | More by Jason

BeerZack

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Light amber color with smallish, but still a full covering of white bubbly head.
Smells nice and hoppy, floral, woodsy and citrus, with bit of caramalt coming out more as it warms.
Tastes pretty much like the aroma suggests. Hop forward, with a slight astringency that counterbalances the light, sweet caramalt backbone. Feels just a bit too thin for how agressive it is with the lingering astringency and prickly carbonation.
Overall, a nice pale ale that is as hoppy and bitter as some IPAs.

Serving type: can

09-09-2011 21:22:14 | More by BeerZack

swthomas55

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap in a sampler at the brewpub 4/8/11.
Lots of citrusy hops in the nose. I'm liking it already!
Clear amber liquid, topped with a lacy white head.
Definitely hop accented in the mouth, but with enough malt to back it up. Lots of flavor but not at all heavy, this one walks the balance line very well. The finish is hoppy with a slight coarseness in the lingering bitterness.
Nicely done, and eminently drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2011 04:29:34 | More by swthomas55

AEArider

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured an opaque copper with a beige soapy head that dwindled, some lacing. Smell is very earthy- woody, piney hops and toasted malt. Taste has a good amount of bite, hops are quite citrusy, and again, earthy. A bit dry, medium body feel. Nothing but good things from this brewery so far.

Serving type: can

04-11-2012 06:18:44 | More by AEArider

rrski198

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Amber in color with a little white head. Decent lacing.

S: Fresh american soapy, piney hops. Blurring the lines of and ipa and pa

T: Citrus and soapy hops. Big fresh american pa.

M: Slightly sweet seltzer water and biterness lingers. A little thin but overall, quite nice.

O: Nice pa from SanTan. I love american pa's and this doesn't disapoint.

Serving type: can

08-30-2011 17:31:25 | More by rrski198

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Devil's Ale
SanTan Brewing Co.

Pours an unfiltered copper color, soapy off white head with a yellow tint. Aroma of herbal, citrusy hops and caramel malts. In the taste, a nice hop bite with suggestions of orange, grapefruit and light pine. Bright citrus flavor, solid malt foundation with caramel and bread notes. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied, crisp with a medium level of carbonation, chalky finish. Overall, a pretty impressive pale ale, good hop character and always has a place in my fridge.

Serving type: can

01-03-2012 05:52:27 | More by Stinkypuss

Nugganooch

California

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from 03/18/12
Can to pint glass

First enjoyed this one at the Spring Training games in Peoria, AZ which was nice…even at $8 a cup.

A: Pours a clear crimsoned amber color. Within that copper to straw pale spectrum. Great big khaki color soaped head leaves a splattered mess of lace down the glass.

S: Smells of sweet pale malts and some faint danky hemp like herbs. A slight metallic aroma and that is not just the can I am talking about.

T: Taste starts off with a good dose of sweet pale malts and some decent hops. Light mixture of citrus and pine notes. A bit of spice and earthiness. Has an herbal candy sweetness overall with a real dry bitter finish. A little bit of a tart aftertaste but not bad at all. Reminding me a little of Dale’s Pale just not quite as polished flavor wise.

M: Mouthfeel is lighter and somewhat thin with a sticky coat of the tongue and drying finish.

D: Good array of herbal, pine, and citrus notes. Plenty of malt foundation. This is a decent can but does fall a bit short of being great. Could use a little refining IMO.
Still pretty nice on tap at the ballpark in the “Craft Beer” concession.

Serving type: can

03-20-2012 22:33:32 | More by Nugganooch

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured into a snifter. Amber colored with a half inch of white head and quickly faded to the edges.

S - First rye bread, then lighter wet malt smell.

T - Hoppy, very nice. malt backup that balances the bitterness well.

M - Bubbly, moderate carbonation with a medium and crisp body.

D - Not super great looking or amazing smell, but the taste makes up nicely. At 5.5% this is a great session beer with flavor.

Serving type: can

03-22-2011 00:46:03 | More by Fatehunter

beagle75

Iowa

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Draft service into a shaker pint glass at Rendezvous in Cottonwood, Arizona.

A: Clear, medium amber color with a heavy residue of white bubbles. Moderate lacing remains on the glass and a few streams of bubbles rise in the column from the bottom and sides.

S: Toasted bread and mild cooked fruit fit together amicably. Compared to the flavor, hops are difficult to pick out here. A certain level of complexity present leaves open the possibility of their nuanced collaboration.

T: Begins dry, with potent hop aromatics that are floral and earthy. Bready malt also stands out into the middle where yeast esters are detected. The finish is mildly bitter; floral and herbaceous flavors linger.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, slightly resinous on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: A mature and metered pale ale, this beer appears to be a hybrid of some American flair on a solid English foundation. As is, it would seem to be more at home in the English pale ale style. Either way, it ably marks its territory as a full-blown pale ale, rather than a small IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2012 22:45:39 | More by beagle75

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I think this is my first Arizona beer. Thanks stephenhawking for the nice local extra in a can!

Pours a clear orange almost amber with a 2.5 finger head.

Smells of caramel malt and a bit of citrus. A bit more malt than I expected from an APA.

A little bit of citrus followed by caramel and biscuit malt. Finishes with just a light bitterness. Nothing complex about this, but no off flavors either

Mouthfeel is a touch thin and carbonation level is medium.

Good beer. Lacks a tick in flavor, but it's a good drinkable beer. I could definitely see grabbing some of these for the golf course if they were readily available.

Serving type: can

10-25-2011 23:34:06 | More by jmarsh123

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.84/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

After a harrowing few days on my trip out here to Arizona, I settled down with one of these last night at Steve's Greenhouse Grill in PHoenix. This was what the bartender there recommended and it wasn't a bad choice at all. It's good to have a choice of local beers available and while this wouldn't stand up well against the higher-rated beers in this category, this was nicely brewed and went down pretty easily!

The pour to this was a deep copper, which was fitting for the Grand Canyon State. There was a good head to be seen and the top of the lacing stuck to the pint glass it was served in for quite a while. A good nose existed here as well with citrus, wet hops, and a bit of oil to be detected. No burn or excessive alcohol here and this faded out very nicely in the back. Just a bit of caramel gave some body to this and the balance was as good as could be for a beer that wasn't terribly strong.

I didn't even feel the alcohol in this and had I not needed to drive back to my hotel after my serving, I would have easily had another. While the oil and resin weren't that present and the heavier Pale Ale flavors like pine and lemon weren't to be found here, this reminded me of a good American Amber like those of the Troegs beers. Everything worked together well here and Arizona can be proud to have such a drinkable beer of this type brewed in its backyard!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 10:45:31 | More by JerzDevl2000

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Here's one of the better beers at Canfest 2010. . . Pours yellow and orange, good head. Aroma was mildly hoppy and that was about it.

Taste, a light bodied pale with adequate hops in the cascade and chinook or columbus vein I would guess. Bitterness subdued, I'd venture the ibu's to not be over 50. Lacks complexity in a good way, this one is straight forward, prolly carapils/crystal malt, c hops and done.

Very sessionable and desireable come warmer weather, this is a winner from SanTan in my book.

Serving type: can

05-24-2011 23:37:22 | More by Beerandraiderfan

aval89

Arizona

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Note: although listed as a amber, SanTan classifies is as a Pale Ale.

A: received it with a nice full finger head. Slowly settles to thin film.. Body is dark orange/copper tone.

S: mild caramel with some citrus notes.. Mild grapefruit with faint toasty malt smells.

T: has a rich caramel/biscuity base throughout. Towards the back grapefruit bitterness comes in with slight lemon zest & some pine characteristics. Finishes bitter with toasted malts & grapefruit flavors..

Mf: nice light medium body with great carbonation..

D: really easy to put these down.. Surprised at the drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2010 23:17:48 | More by aval89

arizcards

Arizona

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a sixer new year's eve from Total Wine for $7.49.

Beer poured amber with a white head that dissapated quickly.

Nose is strong floral hops which is very inviting.

Taste is well balanced between the caramel malts and the grapefruit hops.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and somewhat smooth.

Overall this is a solid beer, well balanced pale with enough hopping to make us hop heads happy. Definitely worthy of a shot!

Serving type: can

04-08-2011 01:09:12 | More by arizcards