Shift Pale Lager - New Belgium Brewing

Zorro

California

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear Golden colored beer with a small white colored head.

Smell is cracker malt with some scorched sugars in there. Strong noble hop scent spicy and soapy. Distinct odor of peach in this.

Starts out slightly malty with a herbal hop after taste. Hop asserts it authority but not in a harsh way. Slight peach flavor. Herbal funk with a slight burned sugar taste.

Mouthfeel is good and full for a lager.

Overall a good lager. It does have that New Belgium signature burnt sugar trace in it.

Serving type: can

04-08-2012 02:01:44 | More by Zorro

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear copper color. Good bubbling, lacing and foam retention. Very good looking pale lager.

Very light fruity aroma mixed with pale toasted malt pilsner malt. Clean, ghostly earthen hop aromas.

Toasty mlats, earthy, a little musty hops. Finish is toasty and a little tinny, and earthy hops. So very easy to drink this beer. Going on my session list!

Serving type: can

04-08-2012 00:25:22 | More by scruffwhor

longbongsilver

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Saw this at the store recently. I wondered when they first announced it what their purpose was in doing a pale lager -- which is is probably the beer style that comes with the least expectations as far as taste. According to my Try Anything Once rule, grab it. What the hell, I like their other stuff.

First of all, it's not only a pale lager, but a canned pale lager. I poured some just to be able to see it, but all else I describe comes straight from the can. The pour for appearance evaluation purposes revealed the typical yellow, but a big creamy head more akin to a kolsch. Scent is vastly more citrusy than typical for this style, meanwhile the malt character firmly plays background. The balance of this is IPA style, though the hops themselves are obviously not that strength.

Taste is melon-like, plus a slight cracker backing. The citrus really comes through, almost as if to smack you upside the head with "I am not a typical pale lager!!" flavor. That said, the finish is lawnmower brew clean.

It's a damn good beer. I'd even say it's the best pale lager I've ever had, though that's probably because it tastes like anything but. If taking a pedestrian style and showing what it can achieve with the proper effort was their aim, then they succeeded, and I only have one suggestion: a high gravity variant called Overdrive.

Serving type: can

04-07-2012 05:30:50 | More by longbongsilver

sommersb

Tennessee

2.35/5  rDev -35.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Tasted On: 04-06-2012
Freshness: Best by 09-09-12
Packaging: 16 oz. can
Glassware: New Belgium globe
Purchased: 4-pack from Midtown, Nashville

A: Clear, dark golden color, with a white head of 2 fingers. Very good lacing and good head retention.

S: Floral and grassy hop aromas, plus some sort of unpleasant vegetable odor.

T: Low bitterness, but the taste is marred by the same vegetable or skunked element as noted in the smell. Seems to be less evident as the beer warms up, thankfully.

M: Medium bodied with hi carbonation. The aftertastes are moderately bitter but also have the off-flavors present.

O: I was looking forward to trying this beer, but now I regret that I have 3 more in the fridge. I can't recommend this one.

Serving type: can

04-07-2012 03:56:05 | More by sommersb

gatornation

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

from a pint can BB 090212

A- pours a clear dark golden yellow color with a fresh white head and collar with minimal lacing

S- was pale malts with baked bread a sweet citrus smell

T- pale malts and floral citrus hops a butter bread and sweet grain taste

M- medium carbonation with a crisp floral hop palate

O- very drinkable smooth and creamy PA

Serving type: can

04-06-2012 22:31:33 | More by gatornation

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16 oz can, best before Sept 9, 2012.

It pours very nice with a 1 finger head of foam and lots of cool lacing. The colour is anything but pale...24k gold, I reckon.

The smell is of lemon and grassy hops with a bit of toasted malt.

The taste is hoppy for the style(American Pale Lager) with nice lemon flavour and just a touch of grass; the toasted malt is a bit stronger in the taste than it was in the smell.

I'm trying to figure out if I need to have this in my regular rotation once the weather gets more predictable. At $8 something a 4 pack for Shift, Schlitz 70s formula and Olympia 95% Malt are about as good though different and a lot cheaper.

Serving type: can

04-06-2012 22:19:55 | More by Bitterbill

Kromes

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: A crystal clear light gold color with a thin soapy white head and a little bit of lacing on the glass.

S: Biscuit malts and a fruity peach aroma with some peppery and citrus hop.

T: More biscuit malts with a nice citrus fruit flavor finished off with a tame grassy hop.

M: Light with what I would say is less than average carbonation for the style. Makes it very drinkable.

O: A tough style to rate. May not be the best beer ever, but within the pale lager category, this one is excellent. This is definitely a summer beer that has good flavor and is still light and refreshing. Has all the right qualities.

Serving type: can

04-06-2012 21:18:56 | More by Kromes

Viciousknishs

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a deep golden color with a half a finger cap of off white head. Pour retention.

S- clean pale malt aromas up front with a nice slightly elevated hop presence of citrus and pine.

T- nice burst of lemon zest citrusy hops up front. The hops soon fall off and leave a clean crisp pale malt flavor with some toasty characteristics and a good amount of bitterness.

MF- smooth crisp mouthfeel with a light medium body. Average carbonation.

D- very drinkable. A solid session brew.

Serving type: can

04-06-2012 02:12:11 | More by Viciousknishs

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

There's something about certain lagers, American, that is distasteful for me. It's like a stale grain, or odd sweetness. I don't really know how to describe it--but it's in all macros and most AAL styles.

Here we have NB making a lager...a pale lager. But that staleness tastes remains. However, the yeast and hops do well to calm this off taste (for me) down quite a bit. It's there up front, but the hops clear it up and give the brew a nice zing on the end.

It's light in feel and carbonated. I'd have it again on certain moods, or if it's really hot outside.

Serving type: can

04-05-2012 04:03:18 | More by Mebuzzard

irrgalaxy

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

New 16 oz. can from the New Belgium line.

Light gold color and good head. Smell is crisp, clean with hints of ocean. Surprising amount of hops for a lager, but well-balanced. Medium palate.

Excited for future outdoor events of all kinds, but mostly praying this appears at the ballpark at some point. For backpacking, I'll still go with Dale's Pale Ale for a smaller size, but can't wait to bring a four-pack of these to my next car-camping trip.

Serving type: can

04-05-2012 01:48:30 | More by irrgalaxy

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pint can picked up tonight at Bier Thirty for about $2... Poured into my slim tulip glass... 3 finger white head... nice lacing and retention..

Nose is clean as expected.. a nice shot of light pale malts help deliver some minor hoppiness.... a bit of citrus... and something that I associate with Summit.. garlic? Damn I hate saying that.

Flavor shows plenty of pale malt....minor toast ... very very clean.... hops are more soapy.. odd but still decent.. a bit of lemon and hints of onion on the finish..

Medium/light body... nice carbonation... great drinkability.

I am very curious to see how NB works this into their stable.. Shift is a pretty much perfect beer to take camping, rafting, hotspringing, etc.

all 3.5

Serving type: can

04-04-2012 05:54:32 | More by JohnGalt1

cradke

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Very yellow golden, not much head but some decent carbonation.

Smell: Straw with some citrus hops.

Taste: Some decent hops with some straw. Pleasant.

Mouthfeel: Some decent carbonation that plays with the intentionally thin style.

Overall. I'm quite conflicted about this. If their goal was the ideal tailgating beer, they hit this out of the park! I can really see myself taking this camping, grilling, tailgating, "bike rides" anytime I need a solid beer that is going to taste good for several cans, and might be ok if it warms up a bit. On the other hand, the beer didn't really impress on the whole scale of things. I wish they could have shoved a bit more ABV into it or made it a bit more flavorful.

Serving type: can

04-04-2012 02:14:03 | More by cradke

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz Can

Appearance - Clear yellow/amber colour with a large size fizzy/frothy off white coloured head. There is a low amount of carbonation and there is some good lacing. The head lasted for over 5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Malts, caramel, noble hops, grass, bread/grains

Taste & Mouth - There is an above average amount of carbonation and I can taste caramel, floral hops, and some herbal grassy/hay/straw notes. There is also a bit of corn, bread, and a hint of lemon. It ends with crisp herbal aftertaste.

Overall - While this isn't my favourite taste to find in a beer, for the style is very well done. Those who enjoy straw/hay/herbal flavours mixed with noble hops will surely enjoy.

Serving type: can

04-01-2012 23:43:08 | More by spinrsx

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Easily the best of the style. This stuff is amazing. Redefines the style entirely.

A: Clean, clear, and just as it should be.

S/T: Crisp malt, light citrus, very inviting. This is what Bud Light and others of its ilk try to smell/taste like. Maybe they did back in their heyday.

M: Easy and enjoyable to drink. I could have three more tall cans of this stuff without blinking.

O: An exceptional beer that you must try. Well done New Belgium!

Serving type: can

04-01-2012 01:06:07 | More by Gatch

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.23/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

16 oz can poured into a New Belgium globe.
5% ABV, 02 SEP 12 printed on bottom.

A - Pouring out a shimmering goldenrod color with vibrant clarity, Shift is capped by a well formed and well retained, faintly off-white head. Rings of open lace circle the glass like delicate chains.

S - Bright, crisp, and simply inviting, Shift has a delightfully delicate aroma of pale and pils malt supporting citrusy hops. Notes of earth punctuate the light lemon zest.

T - Thin lemongrass citrus washes over the tongue briefly before the maltiness takes over with a pale grainy flavor that eventually gives way to a little soapiness across the finish.

M - Light-bodied and easy drinking, this pale lager has a well-balanced level of carbonation to bring crispness and refreshment without being overbearing. Despite it's wonderful drinkability, Shift still seems to remain a little thin feeling. The dry, faintly bitter hops could be adding to that effect but easily drinkable it remains.

O - Hellooo tailgating beer! Well constructed and flavorful, Shift offers a simple but tasty marriage of malt and hops for a summer beer that will refresh wonderfully. Appealing to all masses, the triple hops brewed crowd will shift gears with this great gateway beer while craft drinkers will reach for it's clean lager characteristics and smooth flavor.

Serving type: can

03-31-2012 18:10:53 | More by BeerFMAndy

zachary80

Indiana

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz can poured into a pint. 02 Sep 12

Golden body with a slight amber hint. Large creamy white head, average retention, thick lacing.

Aroma is similar to a brown or amber, more malt than hop character.

Flavor is almost all malt, there is a somewhat bitter finish for a lager but the hops aren't prominent.

Smooth body, a little heavier than expected.

Overall the beer is better than average but not great. A little heavier than expected but nothing that makes it exceptional.

Serving type: can

03-31-2012 00:11:25 | More by zachary80

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from can into a New Belgium globe. Poured golden yellow with a half finger purewhite head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, wheat, fruit, metallic, and citrus hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, wheat, fruit, metallic, citrus hop, skunk, skunk hop, and earth. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. While the flavor on this one was quite complex as far as things going on, it just didn’t fire on all cylinders for my palate. However, there was a definite metallic characteristic going on in this one. Not sure if it was a part of the brew or from the can itself, but this wasn’t overly appealing. Worth trying if you are curious, but I wouldn’t go out of my way personally.

Serving type: can

03-30-2012 10:50:38 | More by thagr81us

Megahertz

Missouri

4.28/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

16 oz Can

A: Deep gold, crystal clear, massive white head falls into a thin film. Significant lacing suggesting malt content. Looks like a real beer.

S: Faint graininess with very subltle hint of german-type hops. Smells like a real beer.

T: This is a real beer. Restrained malt sweetness with extremely subtle toasted bread note, very light honey-like sweetness, no flaws noted. Seems very 'lively'. Bitterness is assertive for the style, but within reasonable limits. No major hop flavor. Finish is extremely dry.

M: Crisp, light bodied.

OI: Excellent example of the style, one of the best I've had. If macros could make this, the world would be a better place.

Serving type: can

03-27-2012 20:19:05 | More by Megahertz

benjiski

Kansas

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on can at the Burger Stand.

A- light in color as is expected. Pale golden color with modest carbonation.

S- definitely has a larger than expected hops character, although not out of balance at all. Maltiness comes through after the brief hop smell.

T- hops disappear quickly and the maltiness takes over almost completely.

M- smooth and definitely easy to pair with a variety of foods. nothing out of whack just not super exciting.

O- overall quite a nice beer. reminds me of most other New Belgium brews, i.e. better than average but nothing world class. quite a sessionable beer (16 oz.) although i don't understand tall cans. i would rather have two 12 oz cans. i like that the brew is 5%abv though. hops were nice but not present enough for my liking. probably won't be returning to this beer unless offered for free as i feel that it is somewhat easy to forget. i also don't like the serving type.

Serving type: can

03-27-2012 06:53:48 | More by benjiski

Jason

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz tall-boy can with a freshness date on the bottom.

LOOK: Healthy looking froth, bright golden color show a perfect clarity

SMELL: Bread crust, ripe peaches, biscuity, herbal, passion fruit, spice, clean

TASTE: Very smooth, medium body, crisp snap, biscuity, malt sweetness, herbal, spicy, mild fruitiness, dried grass, clean drying finish

Does this mean that 2013 will be year of the lager and New Belgium is just ahead of the curve on this one? The did get it right with opting for tall-boy size and at 5.0% it is still within the "sessionable" range. Very well balanced and great use of hops here which makes this one of the most interesting pale lagers on the market today.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 01:20:10 | More by Jason