Seven Gates Pale Ale - Spring House Brewing Company

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-golden with a nice thin white head. Slow moving bubbles.

S-smells more like a herbal/floral/hoppy lager, so more like a pilsner than a pale ale. Doesn't smell bad though.

T-tastes of grains and biscuits. Fairly hoppy and floral as well. Tastes like a good American pilsner.

M-medium carbonation with a dry finish

O-not much of a pale ale. Tastes way too much like a pilsner. Has that hoppy grainy feel to it. Not really to adjunct. Just very biscuity. It's a good drinker if you're not left with many options.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2012 17:10:39 | More by AdamBear

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap in the Taproom into a standard pint.

A - Pours light amber orange with a nice one finger tall white head leaving light streaks of lace down the glass.

S - Smells of biscuity pale malts and crisp citric hops. A touch of light spice creeps in at the very end of the glass. The nose is quite bready with a touch of light spice.

T - Starts off with some light citric hop bitterness quickly giving way to a mix of chewy malt and a bit of sweetness. The finish is pretty much the same, a mix of chewy malt and light bitterness, lingering on the pallet for some time.

M - Light body and flavor with moderate carbonation. The feel is slightly chewy with a touch of lingering hop bitterness.

O - In the long run this one is just OK but if you are at the taproom and are looking for something light to drink with some decent flavor you really can't go wrong with this one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2011 21:22:58 | More by orangesol

oline73

Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I had this on-tap at the taproom in Lancaster. Poured into a sample glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a half finger of off white head and decent retention.

Smell: Bready malt with some mildly fruity sweetness and some citrus notes.

Taste: As in the smell, bready malt is the dominant flavor. There is a fruity note and some yeast that reminds me of a German beer. The finish is bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with aggressive, fluffy head and a dry finish.

Overall: Light and quite easy to drink. Not very interesting and I don't think I would have another one.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2011 18:02:42 | More by oline73

therica

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Flannery's, Mercersburg PA

A bit of a disappointment.

A= light gold, only a modest head fading to rimming.

S= somewhat light, some hops and sweet malts evident, nothing remarkable.

T= watery finish after a somewhat disjointed modest-hops and sweet malts presentation that just didn't seem to come together.

M= a little watery, some malts and hints of hops bitters and florals.

O= overall a somewhat modest and weak offering.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2011 11:57:17 | More by therica

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pours an orange copper color with a white head. Nose brings some light citrus notes but there really isn't that much to it. Taste, again, is light citrus. A bit of pale malt is added in. Nice feel with light bitterness. A bit plain, but drinks quite well.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2010 21:08:50 | More by Thorpe429

JunkYardJake

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Cork & Cap in Lancaster.
Straw-orange in color with a good sized soapy head. Smell is of cracker malts and a mild floral hop bouquet. Taste is balanced nicely between bready and caramel malts and a floral/earthy hop flavor. I also noticed a little lemon zest on the finish. Mild bitterness and carbonation make it easy to drink and the balanced palate make it sessionable. Every once in awhile, it's nice to have a pale ale that doesn't strive to be an IPA. Check it out.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2010 00:14:19 | More by JunkYardJake

berpwillie

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

this was the first beer that really pushed me into craft brews. definitely my go to beer when i just want to relax and toss back a sixer or two, or three, or four... na mean? pours a copper orange cloudy color with average white fluffy head, good lacing, and average carbonation. floral hints in the smell with a lemon citrus buttered bread like taste. light bodied and a thin slick texture. average flavor duration with a light bitter bread flavor finish. delcious in a bottle but about 2o times better on tap. haven't tried one of Matts brews yet that wasn't fantastic.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2010 20:33:07 | More by berpwillie

Seanibus

California

3.73/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tasty and competent Pale Ale, which is a good thing in a crowded genre.

Pours clearish amber with dense fluffy head. Aroma is grainy, bready. The flavor is solid, bready with pleasant floral hops and a long citrus bitterness on the finish. Mouthfeel is smooth and a little clingy.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2010 23:42:22 | More by Seanibus

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a pale golden straw color with adequate fluffy white head, decent retention and lacing. Smell is of pale malts with hints of grass, light citrus. Taste is pale, grassy with a hint of citrus, slight off flavor akin to a light struck lager noted that holds this beer back big time. Decent light body, nice prickly carbonation. Ok brewin most aspects... the off flavor on a pale beer was just too much to overcome.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2010 15:47:47 | More by rfgetz

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was presented with relatively no head. There was a good happiness on the nose. Color was a bright copper with NE-quality clarity. Mouthfeel was medium with a lot of hops washing across my tongue. Finish was hoppy. Good for an APA. Not such a great review. I have better notes and will re-review later.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2009 20:41:48 | More by woodychandler

y2jrock60

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Light orange in color with a frothy head.

S- It smells really sweet with a light hop aroma.

T- Very sweet, malty, and hoppy. The beer had a hint of maple syrup. The flavor was very balanced and unique.

M- Medium-bodied, tasted great on tap.

D- I would recommend a try on tap, very unique, one of the best beers from the Lancaster Area.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2009 18:54:04 | More by y2jrock60

DIM

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a: This was a moderately cloudy, ruddy, amber color; pretty dark for an APA. It was wserved to me with a thin head.

s: As it warmed sweet aromas of caramel and brown sugar emerged. The hops smelled of pineapple and lemon.

t: Very full flavored for an APA! Leans to the sweet side a bit which is okay with me. The finish is somewhat dry and tastes of floral, mildly citric hops.

m: Very good body for the style, well carbonated.

d: This a great addition to the local scene. I'm glad I finally got to try it. This will be my small, hoppy beer of choice whenever I find it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2008 10:44:53 | More by DIM

Risser09

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served into a pint glass at Carr's Restaurant in Lancaster, PA - 2008 - Fridge temp

Appearance: Pours a transparent golden orange with a 1" off-white head. Good retention and no apparent lacing.

Smell: Minimal aroma of piney hops. Otherwise there isn't much to savor.

Taste: Pine, some grapefruit, burning bitterness. Malt background that ends piney and earthy.

Mouthfeel: Bitter with pine, medium body. Warming alcohol.

Drinkability: Bitter from start to finish. I expected bitter aroma and more grapefruit to make a more diverse beer. Decent brew. Needs some tweaking.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2008 11:40:06 | More by Risser09

HossMcGraw

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Outstanding!

Haven't reviewed a beer here in a year probably, but had to put in a good word for this one. Had 3 of these bad boys on tap at the Lancaster DipCo, and was blown away at the quality of this brew. Super complex fruity aroma with a nice hoppy undercurrent.

Flavor is dynamite. Ultra complex but still drinkable, this APA is loaded with notes of peach, lavender and honey, all with a solid malt backbone and a well balanced hop blast on the finish.

Might be a bit heavy for me as a sesher,but will definitely be getting this again in the near future. Best of all-It's made right here in The Lanc! Can't wait to see what else this great new brewery is gonna produce.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2008 02:59:18 | More by HossMcGraw

Durandal777

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

First beer from Spring House, in the tiny town of Conestoga, Pa., and it's a very solid effort.

Had it on tap at Lancaster Dispensing Co.

A: Nice pale ale color. Golden/amber, with a good, somewhat lacy head.

S: Really nice. A mix of citrus and hops that's very appealing.

T: Quite nicely balanced. The hops are there, but not in IPA strengths, which allows the malt to have some presence as well. A bit of citrus in there, too.

M: Great. Crisp and clean.

D: Not bad. I only had one, but I can imagine this being a reasonable choice for a session beer.

All in all, a good APA, and definitely got me excited to see what Spring House does next.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2008 02:14:37 | More by Durandal777

BravoTwo

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tried this beer at McCleary's Pub, on the recommendation of the bartender who knows I enjoy the hops.

A - Good solid amber color with nice light white head and good retention.

S - Nice citrusy hops smell. Very aromatic and inviting. Clean, unmuddled nose to this beer.

T - On the verge of greatness here. I was in the mood for very flavorful, nicely hopped beer and this one delivered. Clean hops taste with great crispness and nice bite without being over the top.

M - Good carbonation and a crisp, clean mouthfeel very appropriate for the style.

D - Again, very nicely done here. For those who enjoy the hops character, this beer is a really nice choice.

Almost reminiscent IMO of Victory's HopDevil. I had a HopDevil immediately after this beer and a lot of similiarities shone through. Great choice and a neat addition to the local scene.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2008 01:30:10 | More by BravoTwo

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap this evening at Bully's in Columbia, PA. I hadn't seen this ale before but noticed the unique tap pull and decided to give it a go on the bartender's recommendation.

It was delicious. I enjoyed the fruity, hop aroma. The bitterness seemed very well balanced by the malt with a citrus overtone and the medium plus carbonation was just right.

I was surprised to learn that it is made right here in Lancaster County in the small hamlet of Conestoga. I hope Matt the brewer (found his name on their website) keeps up the good work.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2008 06:04:17 | More by Tucquan

MaltyGoodness

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Several 16oz. drafts at Bully's in Columbia

Nice, light amber color with a small white head. Mild lacing on the glass.

Aroma is a nice balance of citrus and floral hops on top of a fresh, grainy malt base.

Tastes just as it smells. A crisp, grainy caramel malt base with a nice blend of citrus and floral hop flavors.

Medium-light body, medium carbonation.

Overall, a very refreshing APA with nice balance. I could have easily gone for a 3rd and 4th pint if the situatiuon would have allowed. Happy to see that these guys really hit the gorund running.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2008 03:26:33 | More by MaltyGoodness

SeamusDoyle

Pennsylvania

3.66/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice light golden hue nice tall egg white head with tons of sheet lacing. Aroma is a simple biscuit aroma with hints of caramel, and grassy herbal hops. Taste is a simple flavor as well, caramel malt with lots of herbal hops and a light citrus as well to round things out. Mouthfeel is medium in body, good carbonation, hoppy bite in the finish. Overall a nice pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 23:40:46 | More by SeamusDoyle

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass, color is gold, nice off white head that sits dense and laces very well.

Smell is grainy with feint hop bitterness, rather mild.

taste is grainy, slight adjunct flavor with malt, bitterness is clean and solid - very straightforward brew thats pretty big on hops.

Mouthfeel is crisp, solid carbonation a slightly strong bitterness but thirst quenching.

Overall, very tasty brew, straightforward flavors and solid hops, aroma is underdone and slightly grainy.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 01:16:05 | More by mvanaskie13

ChrisPratz

3.1/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Golden amber color with less then a fingers worth of head. Dissipates to a patchy veil of lace all around with some on the edges.

S: Nice floral and citrus aromas from the hops. Get some other sweet fruit flavors, some apple and maybe very faint cherry.

T: Nice malt flavor, tastes like its toasted every so slightly. Earthy flavors of grain and grass lead way to the light bitterness of the hops with some citrus tones mixed in there as well. Alcohol taste is very noticeable at the end.

M: Mild carbonation and left with a dry feeling in the mouth. Crisp and clean on the tongue.

O: Not a bad pale ale but it doesn't stand out very well either. Would be interested in trying on tap to compare.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 00:47:28 | More by ChrisPratz

FosterJM

California

2.85/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

1206th Review
Bottle to Pint
12 oz

Thanks to TroyG2352

App- super clear light orange. Very fizzy white head good cling. Looked good in the glass.

Smell- Really a strange smell to it. Had a very vegetal, malty and pretty off smell. Wasnt excited about tasting it.

Taste- Corn, malt. Had profile before. Dont like it. Band aid flavors between smell and flavors just make this one pretty in drinkable. I poured it.

Mouth- A light body with a light- medium carbonation. Fairly grainy and residual malts.

Drink- Pretty off on the nose and the taste. Just didnt like it

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 21:02:26 | More by FosterJM

cps98

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Been waiting to try this and the distributer finally got a couple cases in. A buddy and I split a case and it was not a disappointment.

A – Really nice orange yellow color, super clear. Pours with a nice 2 finger white head which dissipates rather quickly. There was some lacing present.

S – Light citrus of the hops and very light malt.

T – Had a really nice not overpowering hop bitterness. Very light on the malt.

M – Light to medium bodied and pretty smooth. Had decent carbonation just no head retention.

O – Overall a good drinking beer. Price was decent so I’d probably drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 16:50:00 | More by cps98

maximum12

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to stormking47 for tossing a bottle of this into a recent trade. I had no idea that Spring House had begun bottling any of its brews, & a pale ale seemed a good warm-up for the main event tonight.

Pour is pale orange, with a miniature whirlwind in the center. Swirl the beer & the tornado rotates, as if you're in the Science Museum. Cool. Smell is torrential pale malts, bit of wet grass & damp hops.

Seven Gates Pale walks a path well-worn by thousands before it. Pale malts, spent floral hops, bakery before dawn, fields right afterwards.

Routinely routine. This is an 84 MPH Klingenbeck fastball right down the middle of the style. Mediocre.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 03:06:01 | More by maximum12

powellmg

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours hazy and gold with a white, dense head. Earthy, vegetal hops aroma with a hint of orange. Taste is slightly metallic, sort of a basic bitterness without much complexity.

Overall, it's decent, but given the level of competition out there, it is just average for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 01:15:46 | More by powellmg