Phoenix Pale Ale - Sly Fox Brewing Company

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was thrilled when I saw this can sitting in as an extra on my Growling at the Moon package this month. I have loved really anything I have received from Sly fox, so I figured their pale ale was going to be top notch so I could not wait. Threw this one in the fridge and got a chance to sit down and enjoy it for the first time last night. Took the twelve-ounce can right out of the fridge and poured it into a Prima Pils footed glass.

Appearance - This one poured a very bright and very crystal clear, deep reddish amber. A really nice shade of orange amber with an awesome amount of clarity to it. Really nice carbonation could be seen in the chains of bubbles rippling up toward the surface. A very nice two finger high head of off white colored lace then gathered at the top of this one and proceeded to settle down after just a few minutes to a thin pillow like layer across the top for the rest of the session. Very nice side glass presentation then followed and really gave this a solid look for a pale ale.

Smell - The aroma was a full on replica of the classic west coast hoppy pale ale. A deep resin filled and very thick aroma of pine and citrus hops greeted you right up front. Very nice notes of orange and even some tangerines were easily found. There was a nice stick fresh pine quality to it as well, that was really quite nice. Some underlying maltiness could be found in there, way in the back as well, serving as a nice base to build it one.

Taste - The flavor picked up right where the smell had left off. This was a really tight and nicely balanced little pale ale. Rich fresh sticky pine hops dominated the opening flavors of this one, really setting you up for what was going to be coming down the pike next. SA nice floral bath of tangerines and pineapple flavored hops that opened the door to the sweeter and sugary side of this. Really quite nice. A good base of malted grain underneath providing a nice touch of balance as well and letting you know this was a rather nice little beer. The finish was long and drawn out, very dry with the hops dominating it. Long lasting bitter pine flavor made you reach for another sip time and again.

Mouthfeel - The feel was splendid and exactly what I would have expected out of this one. A very nice light bodied ale with more then adequate carbonation, even down to the very last drop. A nice deep-rooted smooth feel, with a crisp clean finish, very nice and refreshing.

Drinkability - Very high marks here, as I would have loved to have had another one when it was done. It was just tremendously easy to drink all around, and with low abv and great carbonation, you really could not do wrong.

Overall, this was very good. A very nice and tight pale ale that I would love to try on tap, or have a case of to enjoy at home .I would definitely look for this one if you are out looking for a solid pale ale offering. This was very good.

Serving type: can

02-23-2008 01:20:55 | More by mikesgroove

brentk56

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy copper color with a modest head that has decent retention and leaves some lacing down the glass

Smell: Strong aroma of biscuity malt along with NW hops; the two forces battle it out and create a delightful blend

Taste: Starts out with a biscuity malt flavor but the bitter elements kick in before the swallow; mid-palate, the biscuit gets very strong and some citrusy juice flavors arrive; the finish is very bitter with a touch of residual sweetness on the tip of the tongue

Mouthfeel: Medium to light bodied with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: There is a lot to like in this beer; I would prefer it to lose the final grainy bitterness and I wish the mouthfeel was fuller; otherwise, a very nice APA

Thanks, hoppedup, for the opportunity.

Serving type: can

09-12-2006 02:08:34 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Can: Poured a light copper color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some light lacing. Aroma of light citrus and bitter hops with light caramelized malt base. Taste is a drinkable mix of medium citrus and bitter hops with a balanced caramelized malt backbone. Body is about average with good carbonation. Good and easily drinkable though a further hop punch would have been even more enjoyable.

Serving type: can

06-11-2012 19:56:43 | More by Phyl21ca

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

There is a slight haze, but the cask was not cellared properly! Deep amber in color with a bright white head that holds extremely well and leaves a very good lace. There's a nice, slightly citrusy, hoppy aroma that's subtly backed by a lightly sweet maltiness. The body is medium-light with a very soft, fine and bright carbonation. The mouthfeel is quite smooth. The flavor is very well balanced between the light crystal malt and a gentle hop flavor. It's solidly bitter but extremely well-balanced! A gentle hoppiness also follows into the finish. An excellent session beer even at 5.25%. Quite enjoyable! Well worth trying.

Serving type: cask

09-13-2002 20:33:30 | More by NeroFiddled

metter98

New York

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear light copper amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin beige head that has good retention properties and never completely faded away.
S: There are light aromas of citrus and pine resin hops in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has light flavors of citrus and pine resin intermixed with notes of biscuit malts. A light amount of bitterness is also present, which lingers through the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is easy to drink and quite sessionable. It seems to be a bit more flavorful compared to other beers in the style.

Serving type: can

05-06-2012 12:00:43 | More by metter98

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear and caramel-tinged amber/orange hued, with a vibrant white sheet of froth above, slowly but surely dissapating into the thinnest of thin.

Aroma: nice and hoppy, apricot and pear, with plenty of orange and lemon zest, hints of spice, rather lively...

Taste: Neat hoppy tango on the tongue, fruity flavors continue, brief bitterness buzzes the palate...soft and sweet malt backbone, sturdy enough, but not assertive, lets the hops paly the predominant part.
Caramel hints ring in now and then from the malts, then green apple, sparkling crystal malts, some citrus...it's a nice American/English amalgam, really, and very drinkable, very tasty. Medium bodied, with a long, bitter, sweet, tasty finish.

Nice. I like it, my tongue likes it, and so does my belly.

Much thanks to Ed, the DarkOne, for bringing it over from Philly. My first SlyFox, at last!

Serving type: can

12-17-2006 11:00:52 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a dark golden/amber color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a moderate malt scent that boasts of pale and light crystal malts. It's crisp with a touch of sweet caramel. The hops are in front with a nice blast of citrus. The taste is decent as well. It has an unbalanced attack of hops and malt. The hops hit you in the beginning. They're bitter and citrusy. The malts are complimentary, but not enough to add proper balance. You only get a hint of the caramel malts. There is definately not enough body here also. Carapils malts would add the needed body. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is an above average APA. I'm not a huge fan, but I could see myself drinking a few of these.

Serving type: can

11-24-2007 22:14:39 | More by WesWes

Mora2000

Texas

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

Thanks to Exiled for sharing this beer.

The beer pours a clear amber color with a white head. The aroma is orange citrus with some pine notes. The flavor is orange hops with a nice caramel malt backbone. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A nicely hopped American Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2010 02:24:36 | More by Mora2000

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This pale ale pours out as a light amber color with a white head that settles quickly. The aroma is grainy and malty, not overly hoppy. The flavors are mild, that seems to be common in most of Sly Fox's releases. The taste is a little grainy and has some hops in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is watey and not very complex at all. There are better pale ales out there in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2011 01:53:38 | More by Knapp85

Gavage

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Orange / gold in color with a nice 1" inch head that produced some light lacing.

Smell: the aroma was very floral and some malt was also detectable.

Taste: the flavor is nice as the huge malt base is balanced with a strong floral hoppiness. Some citrus tones linger in the background, but they definitely round out the flavor.

Mouthfeel: smooth but it has a very nice strong bitter finish. This was medium bodied.

Drinkability: a very flavorful and hoppier than normal pale ale that is the ultimate in drinkability. Must have if on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2004 23:49:35 | More by Gavage

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a can after a chilly bike ride. It looks orange-red with a white head. That's certainly darker than I'd expect from a pale ale. This is really more of a hoppy red ale, but I digress.

At first, this reminds me of Dale's Pale Ale, but dialed back to a pale ale (not IPA like Dale's) IBU level. The flavor is rich with citrus rind, grapefruit, and pine. It's less juicy than Dale's, but still a darned tasty pale ale. Certainly worth trying.

Serving type: can

10-31-2008 00:14:07 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful color to it deep ruby caramel garnett, with a light khaki tan head forming thick. Fine speckled lacing forms unevenly but sticks around well. Aromatics offer up a nice pine and citrus combo with a bready caramel malt profile going on. Flavor is nice balanced between caramel drizzled dessert bread sweetness and reserved but bitter hop flavors including pince citrus and a mild tame earthiness. More hops in the finish of the flavor than the nose or the forefront of flavor. Mouthfeel is medium to lighter bodied drinking session APA, carbonation is soft and works well. I love the can presentation and this beer just arriving back into Pittsburgh has been so fresh and affordable for my craft brew budget.

Serving type: can

04-08-2010 23:05:57 | More by WVbeergeek

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can into a pint glass.

Pours a clear orange gold (with an amber sheen to it) with at least 2 fingers of foamy off-white head. A thin layer of creamy retention skims the surface, leaving behind some big, sturdy lacing behind. The aroma is a fresh, nose tickling bouquet of light floral hops, citrus notes, and a touch of underlying sweetness.

The taste is a moderate mix of tingling hop bitterness and a splash of citrus character that is balanced out with some sweet, and slightly bready, caramel malts. Finishes with a nice, crisp, bitter dryness. The mouthfeel is light bodied (but seems a bit fuller from the flavors) with a snappy carbonation and crisp feel.

A really solid APA that packs good flavor and even better drinkibility. Even with about 6 months on this, it still seemed incredibly fresh and tasty, probably a tribute to the canned packaging. Good stuff.

Serving type: can

09-03-2008 16:42:05 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear red/orange, medium sized white head forms, some nice lacing and good retention. Smell is grass, with some citrus and floral hops, little bit of caramel. Taste is malty, with some sweet caramel and citrus/floral hops. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation, nice and smooth, clean bitterness. Thanks DrJay!

Serving type: can

04-01-2006 01:22:46 | More by Viggo

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a bright, clear orange with a 1 finger creamy, light beige head that slowly recessed. Visible carbonation was very light.

S: fresh citrus hopping with light pine notes. The aroma was light-medium, and perfumy with a sweet and sour nature to it.

T: sweet toasted caramel malt, and fresh citrusy hops. Fresh lemons and a big fresh citrusy hop kiss highlights the flavor of this pale. There is a great wet citrusy fade with very soft floral notes being left on the tongue after the swallow. The flavor is very crisp and clean.

M: light, very slick and oily on the tongue. There is a bright lemony citrusy flavor and lacing left on the tongue after the swallow.

D: Drinkability is good. Nicely hopped per style and incredibly smooth going down.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2008 00:03:59 | More by beerthulhu

plaid75

New York

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

Poured a medium copper hue with a two finger white pillowy head. There was excellent retention and sticky lacing.

The smell featured a strong citrusy oily hop aroma, white hints of white pepper. A nice doughy malt was detected as well.

The taste was upfront spicy hop. It mellowed to a nice grapefruit flavor toward the end. Very good grain bill as well.

The mouthfeel was crisp and dry.

Overall a very drinkable and enjoyable APA. An excellent hop profile. Nice can too.

Serving type: can

09-28-2006 01:26:29 | More by plaid75

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear orange/amber with a fine, off-white head that showed some lacing and good retention. Toasty malt aroma with floral and citrus hops. Also a little earthiness and caramel as it warms. Medium to strong bitterness with solid sweetness and biscuity malt. There's lots of hop flavour - floral, citrus, and a hint of resin - and a little orange sweetness as well. Medium/light body with a dry finish and some creaminess. A nice pale ale and one that I wished I'd tried on tap at the brewpub. Perfect for a session.

Serving type: can

03-17-2006 03:38:02 | More by DrJay

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a clean deep copper color with a off white head. In the aroma, small grapefruity hop, and a small maltiness. In the taste, a small bitterness, but a malty cleanliness. A smooth and malty medium bodied mouthfeel, with a clean to small bitter aftertaste. A nice pale, bigger hops than expected, yet balanced, and quite fresh.

Serving type: can

06-23-2010 14:49:40 | More by OWSLEY069

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this courtesy of my Mom at Market Cross Pub and Brewery in Carlisle. It was a refreshing pale ale after an evening behind the mower. Served cold in an Imperial Pint

A - A brilliant copper like a slightly used penny w/ excellent clarity and a very thin tan head. The lacing is good and clings well -the bead is fine.

S - A pleasant floral citrusy hop scent w/ a nice malt, sweet character appropriate to the style

M - A fine spicines, light medium body w/ subtle biscuit notes and ample sweetness. The finish is clean and there are nice fruity tinges. The only drawback for me was the carbonation seemed a bit high

T - A moderately sweet citrus hop at first w/ a bit of spiciness and subtle pale malt sweetness w/ a touch of dry grainy flavor. The fruit/nut mix of yeast and malt is crisp but also is missing some depth in malt. The flavor is refreshing, just has to be tasted w/ hops as the focus and more english flavor than aggressive American since the malt has dry tinges and the alcohol is subtle in the taste. The citrus cascade flavor suits this and the fruitiness of the yeast and hops are tasty

D - A very good American Pale that has a quaffable quality, both crisp, refreshing and easy to drink while not lacking in flavor at all. A very standard, solid take on the style - well done
Better than average, certainly worth a try

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2008 17:29:08 | More by Slatetank

francisweizen

Australia

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Two Words: Sierra Nevada. This nice brew from the folks at sly fox is a dark gold, or light amber colour with a nice cap of white foam. The aromas are of zesty citrus hops (cascades?), and a light biscuity maltiness. The taste is of spicy pacnw hops up front, and some light biscuity malts in the middle. The finish is slightly dry, and begs you to take another sip of this brew. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and slightly yeasty and the drinkability is damn good. It's funny this beer has recieved so many lower reviews, from people who gave SNPA higher reviews!

Overall: The perfect brewpub SNPA clone!

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2004 23:07:11 | More by francisweizen

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 8/17/08. Can, best by 10/03/08. Pours a dirty orange with a small white head that dissipates. Aroma of English pale malts, slight toasted malts, flowery hops. Flavor of wheat, toasted malts with a bittering finish. Nice malt backbone in this one complimented by the sweet, fruity, flowery hops. Easy drinking.
7/4/7/4/14 (3.6/5)

Serving type: can

12-23-2008 17:49:08 | More by LilBeerDoctor

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz. can into shaker pint glass on 8/23/08. Thanks to Deuane for sharing.

A - Clear amber/orange body with one-finger off white bubbly head and moderate amount of carbonation.

S - Grassy and citrus hops paired with a caramel malt sweetness and a mild sweet fruity character.

T - Bready malt and mild grassy hops with a splash of citrus create the base of this pale ale's flavor profile. Finishes with a well-balanced blend of sweet malts and mild hop bitterness.

M - Light to medium body with a mild syrupy texture that's just a tad watery. Minimal hop bitterness on the palate.

D - Solid pale ale from Sly Fox that's easy to drink and flavorful with a nicely balanced hop and malt profile. Very representative the style.

Serving type: can

08-24-2008 19:01:17 | More by ffejherb

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a crystal clear amber/copper in color with some extremely light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a half finger tall light beige head that reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer with a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Significant lacing is observed.

S: This beer has a moderate strength aroma with some light hints of caramel malts and quite a bit of pine and citrus hops.

T: The beer starts out with a bit of caramel malt sweetness but then the hop flavors become apparent. There are flavors of pine and citrus hops and a mild amount of lingering hop bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: This is a pretty enjoyable beer and one that I could easily have a few during a session. I find the combination of the pine and citrus hops with the mild amounts of bitterness quite refreshing.

Serving type: can

05-05-2012 20:38:05 | More by dbrauneis

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz can poured into a regular pint glass. I've been on a sly fox kick lately. Fairly fresh.

A- Phoenix Pale Ale pours a shade less than deep amber with some orange spots once up to the light. Some foam comes up to a one inch height leaving some straks of white lace on the glass. Much darker than their pilsner in a can.

S- The usual pale ale smells with a bunch of crystal malt backed by some citrusy hop scents. I'm not sure which is more dominate leaving me to believe this is going to be a nicely balanced APA.

T- The citrus hop bite tells me that the hops in this beat out the malts in the taste. What the malts do give off is a nice bisquit flavor on top of more hops possibly cascade. Some spice and faint fruit can be detected if you try hard enough.

M- Incredibly smooth starting out but as time passes this becomes much more on the bitter side which is not a bad thing. This APA is on the medium build side of things. A low carbonation make this slighty crisp with a fairly dry finish. Quite inviting.

D- Another sessionable beer out of a can from sly fox, this would go great with the summertime heat. The mix of malts and hops work well while this APA does not go overboard with a bunch of different flavors. It's possible this could burn out your palette after a six pack with the bitterness.

I will come back to this in the summer sitting in a kiddie pool eating hot dogs like homer simpson, scaring off potential neighbors.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2009 21:09:16 | More by onix1agr

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer poured into the glass clear copper with a tannish frothy tall head which fell slowly to lace the glass.

The aroma was lightly piney and citrusy with a resinous hop character through the thick head. Behind the hop character was a caramel malt backbone.

The flavor was malty with a strong caramel character that worked well with the piney-citrus character of the hops. The hops seemed a bit woodsy and though the balance was just slightly in favor of malt, the hops were no slouch either.

The finish was just dry with a lasting caramel malt impression and hop character into the aftertaste. The body was medium with a nice carbonation level that led to a creamy mouthfeel. Best pale ale in a can!

12 ounce can. Thanks BeerBeing!

Serving type: can

07-23-2006 22:16:42 | More by GCBrewingCo