Purist Pale Ale - Appalachian Brewing Company

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got this from a variety pack the a friend of mine got from the brewery.
Appearance: The body was a transparent amber with a light tan large head which had thin lacing and good lacing.
Smell: The aroma was piney and earthy and spicy hops.
Taste: The taste was piney and earthy hops.
Mouthfeel: Rigid.
Drinkability: Great.
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 401 Buford Avenue, Gettysburg

11-20-2008 21:57:06 | More by treehugger02010

psugrad98

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Light copper in color with thick white head. Smells is grassy with agressive hop aroma, minimal malt aroma. Taste is smooth and moderatly carbonated with slight malt sweetness offset by aggressive hop kick. Taste is floral/grass like. Finishes smooth. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

07-22-2002 06:35:17 | More by psugrad98

adamette

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle purchased by my brother in Erie, PA and traded for by me for something else. "Bottled on" listing on label but no "month" was checked or marked. Oh well... Poured into my Great Lakes Brewing Company Christmas Ale goblet.

A Nice, generous off white (slightly brown) head that leaves modest lacing over a nice looking caramel opaque body. 3.5

S Light sweet malt to the nose, maybe some hops. Smells better and more inviting than other APA's that are more highly rated. 4.0

T/M/D Very nice in that there is some sweet light caramel malt and only muted hops, it is very smooth and drinks very easily. It is a very drinkable APA that is very on target with the style. Nothing more needs to be said, really. T/M4.0 but drinkability 5.0

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

09-17-2009 02:02:51 | More by adamette

merlin48

Kentucky

4.15/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

An interesting departure from the pale ales I've been enjoying as session ales recently. This 12 oz bottle, courtesy of woodychandler, pours a clear, medium amber body with a one finger beige head that hangs around several minutes. Lots of clingy patch lace sticks to the glass.

Aroma has spicy hops, toffee and caramel malty notes, and a pleasant metallic note reminiscent of some of the finer English ales. Very nice accent of fresh baked sourdough bread adds additional complexity to the fine bouquet.

Mouthfeel is well carbonated atop a medium body.

Taste reveals a well balanced blend of spicy hops with an orange accent, that marry well with malty toffee notes and the fresh baked, sourdough malt breadiness. The metallic presence is muted, but adds a nice English style dimension to this APA. Very tasty and well balanced.

Very unusual character for an APA, but it works quite well for my palate. The low abv makes this an excellent choice for a session ale. Try to find a fresh bottle of this one and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

08-14-2005 00:21:16 | More by merlin48

tkepx182

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The light amber color has a nice clearity to it. It was a nice looking Pale Ale

S: The predominate smell is that of the hops

M: A little rough on the tongue but had a nice finish to the beer

T: The hops flavoring is a little over powering. This is not surprising but is a good lager none the less

O: While ABC has some better beers this one is not bad, rather enjoyed it when compared to some of the other Pale Ales that I had haved

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

09-08-2011 01:28:10 | More by tkepx182

pezoids

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served as part of a sampler tray at their brewery, this one poured out a bright and clear light amber color with a small white head of foam. Slight citrus aroma. Light in body, but flavorful for a pale ale. Finishes with a nice grapefruity tang and a nice grassy, somewhat floral hop bite. Clean tasting. Very good.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

11-24-2003 04:41:34 | More by pezoids

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

golden amber with a smooth cap of white that graced the top for a few moments before settling back down. light aroma, citrus hops, lemon, orange, nice hints of tangerine peel and a wonerfully well balanced profile. smooth, clean and very light delivery lets the flavor explore the palate and really gives a cool and resfreshing taste. clean an concise

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

08-20-2011 01:50:27 | More by mikesgroove

monkeybutler

Vermont

3.98/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is clear amber with little carbonation and head, and no lacing.

Aroma is a nice balanced mix of malt and hop aromatics.

Taste is the same: very well balanced malt/hop flavors.

The mouthfeel is a bit watery but completely unobtrusive, which is really what you want in a pale ale.

It's very drinkable. It's not the best pale ale out there, but it doesn't have many faults.

It's basically what I would expect from a smallish brewery making an american pale ale.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

02-26-2006 03:57:52 | More by monkeybutler

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This arrived with a medium head which was egg-shell white in color with lots of CO2 bubbles in evidence. It had a good malty nose underlain with hops. I experienced a medium mouthfeel witha mildly hoppy taste on the palate. The finish was a blend of malt sweet and hop bitter with the hops getting the upper hand at the extreme finish. This is a good APA and a good acndidate for a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

07-26-2005 15:31:38 | More by woodychandler

Phatz

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Poured clear gold amber with an off-white head and little spotty lacing.

Smell: It was nicely hopped for an APA. The nose is pine and sappy sweet with a bit of floral element.

Taste: Plenty of bitterness in the taste. Not huge in any characteristics but lead by bitterness and a balance of dry and sweet. and balanced with a touch of malt. There is some suggestions of the diacetyl flavors often found in the style but it is not overbearing.. The dry aftertaste lingers.

Mouthfeel: This beer is medium / light in the mouth.

Drinkability: I see this as a beer to drink a pitcher of when eating wings and playing pool with the buddies.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

[EDIT - I recently had this beer on cask at the general Sutter in Litiz PA and it was actually helped substantially by the cask conditioning. All notes stay the same but appearance and mouthfeel are bumped up to 4.5s so cask is the way to drink this beer.]

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

11-02-2007 19:51:20 | More by Phatz

Jarod

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

In a glass this beer has an appearance of a light copper pale in a way. Not an aggressive head, and does not stay. The aroma is malty and hints of a earthyness-grass and hops. Good and clean. The taste reminds you of the aroma with a extra umph on the hop side. Refreshing and thirst quenching.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

11-13-2002 13:51:08 | More by Jarod

sulldaddy

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I got this bottle from DeadGuyAle. Even though I am from the area originally I havent reviewed the beer on BA.

I am sampling at room temp and using a snifter.
The beer pours clear copper/amber in color and I get an offwhite frothy head to foam up about 1 cm, this fades rather quickly to an edge layer. The aroma is light with some piney hop scents and a faint caramel hit. First sip reveals a beer with light carbonation and average body. The flavor is well balanced with sweet caramel to start off which quickly moves to a slightly sour and piney hop bite. The finish is a little drying and makes me want to take another sip.
I am pleasantly surprised with this brew and enjoyed it more than I expected at the opening of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

04-26-2004 02:48:59 | More by sulldaddy

JohnnyM2002

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass at 45 degrees.

It pours a nice rusty-golden color with a nice lingering head. Smells of hops and grapefruit. Very drinkable pale ale - mild hoppy bitterness and a nice floral aftertaste. Enjoyed it more when first poured..became thinner as it sat there.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

08-03-2006 02:16:10 | More by JohnnyM2002

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My 1st notes on this (on tap) where a bit lacking; Poured a cloudy, medium amber color. Nothing to prominent in the tastes or smells.

I then had this on Cask and tasted on 5/19/06. Much better than my last sample. Aromas of pine, citurs and caramel. Tastes of caramel with very light citrus.

My numbers will reflect the Cask version!

Serving type: cask
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

11-20-2008 16:19:12 | More by hopdog

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.9/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got this brew from Miamifan1354, Thanks Jay!

12oz bottle served in a standard pint glass.

L - hazy gold/amber color with a thin off-white head that left some lacing.

S - faint floral hop and somewhat earthy aroma.

T - a touch of bitterness upfront balanced out with malt sweetness finishing with light bitterness.

F - medium bodied with mild carbonation.

D - easy to drink with tame abv.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

12-06-2008 22:47:39 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

merc7186

New York

3.88/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap at the Harrisburg brewpub poured into a 5oz sampler glass.

A: Light Amber Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: German Malts, Floral, Earthy

T: German Malts, Floral, Mildly Grainy

M: Average Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Semi Bitter, Mildly Drying

Overall, it stays true to a classic English Style Pale Ale, mildly lighter but drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

06-19-2012 01:10:37 | More by merc7186

maddogruss

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this in a variety pack.

A: Pours a hazy, orange-amber body with a one-finger, white head with nice retention and decent lacing until the finish.

S: A nice, hoppy smell that was quite floral. There was some malty, citrus undertones.

T: A faint, cascade hop taste with a slight citrus and sweet malt undertones. There was a slight, grapefruit aftertaste. I felt that there could have been a bit more of a malty balance to the hopm taste (which is ironic, because I felt that the draft version could hae used some more hops to balance).

M: A pretty light bodied beer with ok retention that was ok for the style.

D: A pretty decent mouthfeel and taste combination. The relatively light mouthfeel makes this beer more drinkable.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

10-30-2008 02:09:29 | More by maddogruss

Polifemo

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The aroma of this beer is very intense, with an emphasis on resiny hops alongside the usual grapefruit. That resiny aroma borders on harsh. The carbonation is gentle. There is a surprise at tasting: the mouthfeel is more rich than a usual APA and bitterness does not match the intense aroma. The emphasis must be on late hop additions in order to produce a beer that makes more of an aroma impact than a bitterness impact. The bitterness does not fully cut through the fairly candyish crystal malt thickness, making for a beer that many would consider unbalanced for the style. It is an unusual and interesting experience nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

11-07-2009 12:06:44 | More by Polifemo

Brent

Kentucky

3.85/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Color was a deep amber and the hopping level a bit below what I would expect of an APA - my take on this beer is more of a well-hopped amber ale. Nicely roasted malt flavor with hops bittering taking center stage from the start - no particular hops varietal seemed pronounced but the bittering was well moderated. A very drinkable beer, and a good session candidate.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

05-17-2010 13:09:59 | More by Brent

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Purchased as a variety pack at the ABC brewery in Harrisburg, PA.

Bottle reminds me of West Virginia for some reason. Anyhow, a nice finger and half foam head lays on top of my beer. Dissipats fairly quick and leaves behind minimal trace of lace. Beer is a combination of copper with golden highlites.

A nice hope smell hits me in the face with some traces of fruity esters. i wanna say orange or some combination thereof.

Taste is that of malts and hops. There isnt much malt but just enough to know its there. The hops are there but once again not too much, just enough to cleanse my palate. I can also taste a hint of the fruity esters and it taste more like grapefruit now that i have it in my mouth.

The beer goes down smooth and leaves nothing as a hint of aftertaste which i like. It has a sort of watery feeling as it goes down and leaves my mouth. I think there might be a tad too much of watery feeling in the mouth. It is a good beer and i would definitely have this at a bar and as a six pack or variety pack again.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

02-27-2008 00:35:02 | More by Dodo2step

Tone

Missouri

3.83/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, copper color with a lighter gold along the bottom of the edge. 1/3 inch head of a white color. Good retention and decent lacing. Smells of hops, sweet malt, slight yeast, hint of alcohol, and slight citrus. Fits the style of an American Pale Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp with an average carbonation level. Tastes of floral hops, sweet malt, slight pine, and a hint of citrus. Overall, a rather average pale ale.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

01-11-2010 02:39:42 | More by Tone

L4t3rg4t3r

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I agree with what some of the other reviewers have said, the beer is well balanced and drinkable, where it falls a little short is in the the smell department. It does not exude much of an aroma, so it can be difficult to gage what it is that you will find when you taste it. However, this is a minor complaint as the brew is quite well-balanced, tasty, and easy to drink. Again, as other reviewers have commented, it is a good session beer and is a good example of a Pale Ale.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 401 Buford Avenue, Gettysburg

03-04-2007 03:11:22 | More by L4t3rg4t3r

Beerbluesbiology

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark copper/ light brownish slightly translucent body with minimal head and some lacing. Smell: Slightly metallic with yeast light hops. Taste: First: Dry with a twang of hops, full yeast character and slight bitterness at the end. Overall, a nice pale ale, definately stands up to Sierra Nevada or other major Pale Ale producers. "Purely" an enjoyable beer!

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 401 Buford Avenue, Gettysburg

11-15-2010 01:42:26 | More by Beerbluesbiology

canoehornpoint

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This started out better than it finished so the drinkability suffered. It poured from a bottle with a cool label a light amber with little head. Has a roasted malty burnt hop nose. Started with a burnt caramel then earthy citrus hop taste. Mouthfeel was medium with some lasting aftertastes effecting most of the mouth. This reminded me of Sam Adams Boston Lager with an Ale yeast and maybe a touch of some citrus hop somewhere. not bad, nothing to write home about

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg

04-18-2004 02:00:11 | More by canoehornpoint

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clean copper/ amber color with an off white head. In the aroma, a grapefruity hop sweetness. In the taste, small grapefruity hops and a small maltiness. A bitter medium mouthfeel, with a sweet hoppiness in the aftertaste. A nice hop presence and a great balance, nice and simple.

Serving type: bottle
@ Appalachian Brewing Company, 401 Buford Avenue, Gettysburg

07-06-2008 20:01:45 | More by OWSLEY069