Poleeko Gold Pale Ale - Anderson Valley Brewing Company

dennarb

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +17%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a great session beer! It pours with a nice golden yellow color with a half inch white lacy head. It retains the head for the next 20 minutes or half hour, however long it takes you to enjoy this little guy. The aroma is bright and spicy with a little touch of Evergreen forest. Initial taste is exceptionally clean and bright. The hops come forward quickly. But the balance Created by the malts prevents the hops from getting too aggressive. The taste remains bright and cheerful An exceptionally thirst quenching.
Overall this is a beautifully balanced beer. I recommended Poleeko Gold Ale very highly, especially as a summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 14:52:38 | More by dennarb

mastodonj

Colorado

4.58/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've never been disappointed by anything from Anderson Valley so I bought a six of this although I'd never had it.
They came through again.

Nice light amber slightly cloudy, loads of lacing.

Smell is exceptional at first, some malt, vanilla and biscuit but the entire aroma is way better than that sounds. Lots of reviewers think this is choppy and citrus. I'm used to extremely hoppy Colorado and California ales with lots of citrus hop flavors so this does not seem that hoppy to me.

Flavor follows the smell but with a nearly perfect bitterness on the back end.

Mouthfeel is excellent and has the creaminess I've come to expect from AV.

Immensely drinkable.

You won't be disappointed with this fine pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 23:55:37 | More by mastodonj

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Looks of a clear bright yellow somewhat hazy with a 1/4 inch of head that settles to a thick lace ring. Smells of biscuit malts, some pale malts, and a touch of herbal hops. Taste is pretty hoppy with a mild bit of piney hops, biscuit malts, and a bit of sweeter malts in the finish. Mouth feel is very light to medium bodied but not as crisp as I expected it to be.

Overall I have a good feeling the bottle I got was pretty old at least six months but as it is it's a fairly decent pale ale. Still worth trying if you never had it.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 01:51:25 | More by DrDemento456

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle. Apparently, 'Poleeko', in Boontling, just refers to the town of Philo, California. Meh.

This beer pours a clear, medium golden amber hue, with three fingers of aggressively foamy, puffy, and somewhat rocky eggshell white head, which leaves some decent broken spider web lace around the glass as it slowly ebbs out of existence.

It smells of biscuity, grainy pale malt, lemon, orange and sweet Texas grapefruit, a slight field honey sweetness, some mild leafy herbs, and a strong grassy hoppiness. The taste is bready, almost pastry-like grainy malt, orange cream, lemon/honey dressing, and a complex grassy, herbal, and leafy hop bitterness.

The carbonation swirls about to a certain extent, but is generally unobtrusive, the body a sugary medium weight, and fairly smooth by the same measure. It finishes well off-dry, the honey, pale malt, and fruitiness blending splendidly with the biscuit and latent hop edginess.

Now this, this is an APA - hoppy, you bet your ass - but incredibly well complemented by a robust maltiness. Lots going on, and it all works - boy could I go for another one of these at the moment.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 00:45:11 | More by biboergosum

TheSixthRing

California

3.54/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a hazy, golden hue with a white finger width head. Sub-par retention, leaving a firm film of microbubbles on the surface. Fair lacing with good stick.

Smell - Powerful whiffs of honey hit the nostrils right off the bat. Slight lemon.Touches on bread.

Taste - Follows the nose. Predominant honey flavors throughout. Malts come across as grainy. Hearty bread. Hints of floral hop. Slight berry fruitiness. Moderate grassy and lemon zest bitterness, hitting mid-taste and riding out into the finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium body. Moderate carbonation. Almost silky going down, before a dry finish.

Overall - An amazing display of honey in this brew. Why every reviewer doesn't mention this (or why this isn't a descriptor on the label) is beyond me. This doesn't drink like any pale ale I've ever had, in fact I'd liken it closer to an Oktoberfest in terms of flavor. Yeah, definitely.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 05:45:12 | More by TheSixthRing

mooseo

Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into pint glass.

A - Slightly murky yellow gold with a large creamy white head.

S - Grassy and floral, sweet bready malt, and a touch of herbal spice.

T - Bready malt, grassy hops, lemon citrus, and sweet honey. Has a nice hop bite. Finishes earthy and spicy with lots of toasted grains.

M - Light-medium body, smooth and crisp. Clean, somewhat dry finish.

O - A very drinkable, satisfying pale ale. Good balance. Nice blend of grassy hops and toasted malt. There is also a distinct, soft mineral-like flavor that tends to linger, and I've noticed it in several Anderson Valley brews. Pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 00:51:36 | More by mooseo

SerialHiker

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: Classic deep golden color…just off white head that forms thick then settles in nicely…(3.5/5)

Smell: Nice pale malt aroma…sweet and crisp with some citrus hop finish…(3/5)

Taste: Light with a nice balance of malt and citrus hops…definitely some lemon in there…classic pale ale feel with a slight citrus kick…(3.5/5)

Mouthfeel: Light and crisp…very little carbonation…malty in the middle, lemony bitterness in the end…(3.25/5)

Overall: There’s nothing flashy here, but what they did, they did well…a nice balance of malt, citrus hops and piney hops…additional lemon zest separates this ale from others and really does make it very drinkable…(3.25/5)

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 03:56:26 | More by SerialHiker

palma

New York

4.3/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Unbelievable lacing. Thick froth on side of the glass.

Aroma is west coast hops. Hay. Grassy weeds.

Taste is excellent. Bready. Light bright bitterness. Toast in the aftertaste. Light and crisp with a nice oily lingering finish.

Good mouth feel. Slick. Enjoyable.

An excellent pale ale. Seek this one out.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2012 04:00:17 | More by palma

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is hazy light yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high bright white head that has good retention properties and consistently left a thin head covering the surface and some bits of lacing down the edges of the glass.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of floral hops in the nose along with some hints of citrus.
T: Like the smell, the taste is dominated by flavors of floral hops and has some hints of honey and citrus. It has a slight amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and slightly, clean crisp and dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a very unique beer that seems like a hybrid between an APA and a blonde ale, but in a good way. It is extremely drinkable and packed with an interesting blend of hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 01:13:55 | More by metter98

BOSMECH

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got this in a bottle and poured into a glass.

A Is a golden hay straw color with a small head.

S The smell is great for a IPA hoppy and a light citrus smell.

T Taste is hoppy but not over bearing like some IPA's.

M Overall very smooth for a IPA and the hop after taste is great.

O This is a good American IPA that I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 21:53:58 | More by BOSMECH

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Anderson Valley continues to excel in craft brewing. Poleeko pours a "brilliant golden" color as the bottle describes, with excellent head retention. There is a big hop character that last all the way down with a grainy character to the taste and smell too. Finishes nice and clean with a hopped out residue lingering. Not the biggest stand-out beer in the AV line, but a solid work nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 17:45:24 | More by TheRealBigC

Drinkerofales

California

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The Poleeko pours clear, very light golden straw. A large head leaves huge amounts of very tight lacing and dissipates slowly.

Smell is crisp, clean malts, with a hint of lemony hops.

Taste follows nicely, but the flavors come out very clean, with light malts, and citrussy hops, which are there enough to taste, but light enough to not be too bitter.

Feel is extremely light, like a cloud, and gladly not fizzy. Very drinkable.

Nice delicious brew, a nice clean pale ale, flavors are well balanced. A nice alternative to drinking something big, especially during summer.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 19:11:09 | More by Drinkerofales

mdcrouser

Missouri

3.48/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I carried this upstairs from the basement beer fridge and popped the cap, only to find it overflowing with pent up carbonation.

Rolled gold with fluffy white head, leaving lots of lace behind.

Malts and some muted sweetness on the nose - not much that I'm finding that stands out though.

Bitter florals and greenery - almost like the green sweetness that accomopanies fresh spinach. That's followed by malt sweetness that pops on the tongue, more than expected.

The mouth is good, carrying the malts and carbonation through.

Take it or leave it - there's likely a good reason why this beer was on discount for $1.99 for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 02:28:54 | More by mdcrouser

Hoppsbabo

United Kingdom (England)

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

APPEARANCE: Translucent golden straw with a big craggy creamy head. Looks unfiltered.

SMELL: Malt & raw honey.

TASTE: Raw honey and malt with some spiciness. Bitter but enough sweetness to even it off. Lucozade barley type flavour with citrus and tea leaves. Soft, light and summery. Citrusy, flowery hops and bitterness in the afteraste.

OVERALL: Has a delicate quality for a 5% ABV beer, so ideal for summer. Initially not very complex, but opens up further down. Beer gets better than this but I think it would be a crime to rate it any lower than 3.85.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 05:34:51 | More by Hoppsbabo

benclimbs

California

3.08/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Wow, as I read my previous review for the in-bottle form of this brew I feel like I'm drinking a totally different beer.

look and smell are the same - solid for a pale ale, very dry and grassy nose but good none the less

taste is overly mineraly and metallic - not sure if it's from the can (I was told this is impossible) or if it's just an off batch.

The mouthfeel and carbonation taste off as well, very watery and just not as nice as I would have hoped for...just a so/so pale in a can.

Serving type: can

06-05-2012 23:50:41 | More by benclimbs

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a FFF shaped glass.

A: Poured a clear, tangerine color, with a one finger nearly solid white head that stuck around for a while.

S: Very understated, with a slight citrus and more than slight yeast component. Candy sugar made an appearance as well.

T: Fresh, not too hoppy, somewhat biscuity, and a bit spicy and bitter on the end. Good, but a bit bland.

M: I got a bit of creaminess, but not too much, no booze detected, and lots of lacing left on the glass.

O: This was drinkable, and I polished off a bottle in no time, however, this was infinitely forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 01:12:51 | More by Chaney

kojevergas

California

2.78/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on-draught into a nonical pint glass at L.A. Live's Yardhouse in Downtown Los Angeles, California. It was overpriced there (as are most beers). Reviewed from notes. Expectations were average.

A: Pours a one finger head of fair cream and thickness, and bad retention. Colour is a light nontransparent orange-copper.

Sm: Apple, heavy pine, citrus esters, and clean malts. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Some sourness and funk. Green apple tang sourness. Clean malts form the foundation. A bit too apple-y. No citrus comes through. No yeast or alcohol. Bretts. Badly balanced all around. Some hints of butterscotch/vanilla. Built decently but strangely.

Mf: Smooth and wet. A bit thin. Light on the palate. Adequately carbonated.

Dr: Very drinkable. A bit boring. The bretts help, but there's nothing unique or special here. I wouldn't have it again.

C

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2012 00:03:53 | More by kojevergas

barnzy78

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -17%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle, pours golden-orange with a nice fluffy white head holds good retention and leaves good lacing on the glass. Aromas are fresh, crisp, grassy, and smells much like a pilsner. Tastes are similar to aromas: crisp, biscuity, pilsner-like, grassy, sweet & fruity towards the finish, zesty, then intensely dry. Mouth is thin-to-medium and overly carbonated. Overall, I did enjoy this offering, but it seemed more like a pilsner than an APA to me. Still not bad though.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 14:55:49 | More by barnzy78

Everydayoff

Thailand

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass.

A:
One and a half finger white crown with good retention, it stands awhile before gradually fading to some long lasting foamy film and patch on the top along with plenty of lacing sticks on the glass-side. The showcase is slight hazy under a shade of orange copper.

S:
The nose senses floral, pine, orange citrusy yet lemony hop, fresh hay and some earthy note.

T:
Biscuity malt acts as a backer and pathfinder pioneering the passage for hop to shine a sparkle of bitterness and citrus that continually develops sip by sip. Beneath that biscuity malt flavor, there is a grain residing inside assisting in drying up the palate. Also beneath all that mix up, there is a hint of grass and mineral water.

M:
Medium-bodied, smooth and refreshing with lively crisp from active carbonation, finish is dry and clean.

O:
The drinkability is high by the well balance hop character between a note of bitterness and zesty citrus fruit yet with a gleam of malt ranging by biscuity, grassy and grainy.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 08:02:29 | More by Everydayoff

McStagger

California

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours an ever so slightly hazed golden honeyed hue. Near three fingers of slight off white head. Lacing is moderate. Carbonation is also moderated. Fairly large bubbles.

S: Clean, slightly toasted malt bill. Some stone fruit notes and a touch of floral essence on the nose. Mild..almost noble hop like spiciness.

T: Clean, crackery and fresh malts in the forefront. Fruity mid palate, with a bit of soapiness(?) and good balance of bitter on the finish. The hops seem to favor fruit (citrus, grapefruit, apricot) and grass or straw like notes. Hops are present without being the star of the show. A fine balancing act between the hops and malt.

M: Slightly more carbonated than many of the APA's I've had. Maybe a touch lean in the mouthfeel. But, not necessarily a bad thing.

O: I'm a fan. Beer has a lot of flavor for as refreshing as it is. Could hit this one up equally on the beach or the slopes.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 10:23:39 | More by McStagger

rarbring

Sweden

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A hazy amber brew with an off-white head leaving good lacing and some curtains.

Smelling citric, lemon and lime. Some malt.

Starting with white bread, lemon juice, and some peel.

Medium low carbonation, soft, medium body and a dry finish.

A good solid APA.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2012 20:11:24 | More by rarbring

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Slightly hazy golden yellow color with one-and-a-half finger white, foamy/frothy head that lasted several minutes. Nice lacing.

S: Fruity and floral hops. Toasted malt.

T: Moderate sweetness and moderate to high bitterness. Floral and fruity hops like the nose. Sort of a bitter bite. Nice toasted malt flavor.

M: Medium bodied with lively carbonation. Crisp and refreshing.

O: Pretty good pale ale. It looks really good, and the nose and taste are unique.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 02:02:18 | More by SolipsismalCat

tony223366

California

3.43/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Very light coppery color. Tan/yellow orange. Huge head with fantastic retention. Huge and rocky. Head is white. Clarity is fantastic. Not much action from the carbonation.

S: Aroma is mostly hops. Not too bright but solid. Hops are mostly piney. Malts show up as grains and bready. Very average.

T: Glad to see that the flavors are much better than the nose. I'm actually getting mostly citrus up front. THat turns into the bready, grainy malts. The finish is clean and fruity. Just lightly bitter flavors aren't stunning but well balanced.

M: Just shy of medium body. Very lightly astringent. Medium carbonation.

O: A solid pale ale, but far from my favorite. Just slightly above average.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 03:08:07 | More by tony223366

Blueribbon666

Ohio

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes.
Pours a hazy light orange color into dimpled mug with a good finger's worth of head that dissipates quickly but carbonation appears good. Smells of crisp hops and a bit of citrus.
Taste/Mouthfeel, good balance in the mouthfeel, carbonation is good keeping it from being flat or heavy. Good crisp hop balance without being over the top with a clean orange rind like citrusy bitter finish.
Overall another solid entry from Anderson and one of the better more balanced APA's I have head. Would recommend and get again when I have a taste for APA.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 13:27:02 | More by Blueribbon666

WoodBrew

Illinois

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The Anderson Valley Poleeko Gold Pale Ale is a decent american style pale ale. The color was a clear yeloow with foamy white head that laced. The smell includes some tart citrus like tangerine. The taste was powered with decent bittering hops that came with some citrus tones. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall a sessionable beer that was good.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 01:32:22 | More by WoodBrew