MO - Maine Beer Company

macrosmatic

Florida

4.36/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to KalH for this bottle. Reviewed from notes. Poured from 16.9 oz. bottle into a TBBC pint glass.

A: Bright gold in color with mild haze, and a huge fluffy white head atop significant visible carbonation.

S: Resinous pine, citrus pith, grassy, a bit of spice hops, and a base of cracker malt.

T: Resin, grass, bitter citrus with some tropical fruits and melon. A more sizeable cracker malt presence then expected. Moderate bitterness into the hang.

M: Light bubbly body, just a bit of alcohol warmth.

O: Very, very well done. Yet another offering from MBC that impresses me.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 23:22:59 | More by macrosmatic

Amalak

New York

4.19/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A. A caramel orange color, a bit hazy but see-through for the most part. There are some bubbles coming up. A white head with some limited lacing.

S. Very hoppy scent, some citrus.

T/M. It has a nice pale ale hoppiness to it, with a citrus undertone. Perhaps a peach or a mango flavor in there as well. Carbonated and medium bodied. A bit dry.

O. It has something of a similar feel as a Heady Topper, but more reserved. Very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 22:57:08 | More by Amalak

UCLABrewN84

California

3.85/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to Chris for sharing this one at Ritual Brewing Company in Redlands, CA.

Bottled 3/19/13.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy orange-tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Thick rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus zest, and floral aromas. Taste is much the same with citrus zest and grapefruit flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with some very nice citrus aromas and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 04:54:06 | More by UCLABrewN84

harrymel

Washington

3.61/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Bottled 16APR13 (best by mid July)

Nice honey colored ale with a solid, persistent quilt of soapy whites atop. Nose is pretty simple, some resin, some pine, some grapfruit pith, and light english malting. Taste follows suite with some decent bitterness, a good resiny, piney, PNW-ey character and a sweet tea malt backbone. Tastes more English aggressive than APA to me, but I dig. Medium bodied with fluffy carb and an off dry finish. Not sure what the price is on this, but on tap at average prices, I'd probably slam a good several annually (with one night probably being pretty top heavy)

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 04:42:35 | More by harrymel

utopiajane

New York

3.78/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured cloudy lemony orange with a frothy head of soft foam that would not go away. Fell to some crags and great lace. Nose was pine, sweet citrus, tangerine, candy sugar, toffee malt, and a little pepper. A little soap too. Taste was juicy citrus. Grapefruit rinds and pithy lemon, a tad astringent, and peppery. Nutty toasted malt and finished with lots of floral, dry and bitter and somewhat thin. It was worth trying and I liked it but not as much as everyone else.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 11:49:49 | More by utopiajane

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Bottled on 04/16/13. Poured in to tulip.

A - Cloudy golden orange with one finger of cream coloured head.

S - Fresh tropical fruit, pine and citrus. Specific notes of mango, tangerine, grapefruit and pineapple with a touch of caramel sweetness.

T - Very balanced with a good bitterness and a big honey malt sweetness. Pine, grapefruit, peach and tangerine flavours.

M - Medium body. Sticky. Moderate carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 17:37:30 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Greywulfken

New York

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: slightly hazy pale amber in a pint; bigas-you-want-it head of dense ivory foam; laced the inside of the glass and retained a scummy looking pile of head all the way down

S: lots of citrusy-style hops - grapefruit-ish and floral predominantly, but with herbal and earthy notes as well

T: a hop-dominated drink - very crisp and moderately bitter, with subtle malt backbone; pine creeps through into the grapefruit hops; slight musky aftertaste

M: moderate carbonation and medium body; bitter grapefruit-like aftertaste; smooth with a drying finish

O: a well-done APA; a workingman's beer - nothing to fancy, just well-made, suitable for bars, BBQs and boating, and all forms of outdoor action.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 00:45:10 | More by Greywulfken

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.74/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Pours an unfiltered yellow to orange. Thick frothy head is at least 2 fingers deep. Lots of lacing.

S: Citrus - grapefruit, fresh earthy hops, inviting.

T: Really nicely balanced and flavored pale ale. A touch of malts, but dominated by a nice fresh hop flavor although not over the top.

M: Carbonation is very fine and frothy. Light enough for summer and just a tad strong for session but easily could enjoy more than one.

O: Excellent.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2013 23:34:32 | More by Oakenator

BobaFret

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A - Pours a semi-opaque light orange with a creamy two-finger head. Very nice; a fine looking beer that makes me want to drink it.

S - Citrus and hops with a bit of pine/dank, mmm. Smells like many IPA's.

T - A nice mix of grapefruit and hopiness. Tastes like their could be citra hops in it (apparently not). Nicely balanced; none of the flavors are overpowering. All of the flavors linger after a sip as well.

M - Light body and smooth.

O - This is a fantastic, well-crafted citrusy APA. With IPA's and DIPA's being "all the rage" right now, this should not be overlooked.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 01:35:47 | More by BobaFret

Damian

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Drank from a 1 pint .9 fl. oz. bottle purchased at Liquor World, Cambridge, MA
Drink within 90 days of stamped born on date. 052113
Served in a pint glass

Slightly hazed, straw yellow appearance. The liquid as capped by a billowing, three-finger crown of ecru foam. With such a substantial head, I was surprised at the tiny amount of lacing.

The aroma was simply astounding. Super hoppy with a plethora of exotic tropical fruit notes. Mango and pineapple came through strongest. Lots of passion fruit. Hints of peaches and nectarines were also noticeable. The fruity hops lent a pleasant sweetness.

The flavor profile was quite simplistic and radically different from the aroma. Like the nose, it was also quite hoppy, but that is where the similarities ended. The hops came across as much more dry and bitter. Pithy grapefruit rind dominated. Lots of pininess. The finish was super bitter with lingering notes of pine resin. I usually frown on overloading hoppy beers with malts, but this definitely could have used a bit more balance.

The mouthfeel was thinner bodied with a very fine and mellow carbonation. The liquid almost felt a bit flat.

After smelling MO, I was really excited for what was about to follow. Unfortunately, both the flavor profile and the mouthfeel were quite disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 03:32:01 | More by Damian

rdilauro

Connecticut

4.63/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Outstanding and brilliant color. Stood back an minute or so just to look at the color!
Aroma was typical of a good IPA, the grapefruit, citrus overtones was present but not overdone. The first sip was so very smooth. The bitterness was there, but this was a bigger softer ale which balanced the bitterness.

The aftertaste lingered and lingered and lingered. That to me was the best. If I can get a beer
to last this long with the aftertaste, oh BOY!

Loved this one will have MO again

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 18:36:15 | More by rdilauro

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.99/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tap: Poured a light hazy amber color ale with a small foamy head with good retention. Aroma consists of citrus notes with some floral hoppy notes also perceptible. Taste is also dominated by some citrus notes with some floral hoppy notes and some citrus notes with lightly sweet non-descript malt base. Body is about average with good carbonation. I really like the take on this one with nice floral aroma notes and limited bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2013 01:50:50 | More by Phyl21ca

Treebs

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

Recently acquired in a BIF from Cuzco. 500ml bottle served in a Hill Farmstead win glass. Bottled 4/16/13.

A: Pours a semi hazy golden yellow color with some orange highlights. A thick and bubbly head forms on the pour. The retention is off the charts (similar to my bottle lunch). It creates a crater filled pillow of head and thick, sticky lace. Just a beautiful looking beer.

S: Sweet cracker malts mixed with some stone fruit and sweet grass. Lightly floral as well.

T: Lightly lemony with some grassy undertones. Some stone fruit with some white bread malts. Nicely sweetened on the finished with a very mild bitterness that just lingers around.

M: Bubbly and light. The drinkability is off the charts. Lightly bodied with a medium-high carbonation level. Slightly swet finish.

O: A wonderfully light and flavorful pale ale that has exceptional drinkability. I wish I had access to this as I would work it into my summer rotation of Daisy Cutter and Zombie Dust.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 01:47:05 | More by Treebs

CowsandBeer

Kansas

4.34/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Received in a trade from jbaker67. Thanks!

Poured into a pint glass. Drank on a warm May evening after an exhausting day.

Appearance: Pours a beautiful 3 finger off white head. Eventually a nice thick cap remained with some big bubbles. Ridiculous lacing. Straw colored (though it kept getting darker with each pour), hazy body thought that is to be anticipated since this is bottle conditioned.

Smell: Orange, pineapple, and piney hopes. A sweet, grainy malt.

Taste: More of the same tropical fruit hops, citrus, and a more bitter, piney hoppiness. Simple, sweet malt that lets the hops shine. A very light heat. Malty aftertaste that lingers.

Mouthfeel: Light but nice body. Carbonation on this makes it a really easy drinker.

Overall: Drinkability is great on this one. A nice, light APA to drink as the day cools off. The nose smells like a fruit salad and the citrus hops are a real thirst quencher. However, the hops aren't too heavy handed and the malt backs them up quite nicely. This is one to go after this summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 04:19:57 | More by CowsandBeer

BeerBuckeye

Ohio

4.46/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a pale orange, almost yellow color with very puffy, 3 finger, white head. Very nice.

S - Very citrusy. Orange peel, zest, and grapefruit notes. Slight bit of spiciness shines through. Very bright.

T - Incredibly full taste. Very citrusy. Lots of that grapefruit and orange, a hint of pineapple. FInishes with a bitter, piney hop bite. Excellent.

M - Clean and crisp, very full mouthfeel.

Overall - A spectacular brew. One of the best APAs there out, very nice to be able to try one.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 00:16:55 | More by BeerBuckeye

dar482

New York

4.65/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Fresh, bottled a month ago, 4/10/13. Bottle conditioned in a cloudly light orange. It has a 2 finger fluffy head.

The aroma has huge orange and tangerine, definitely some tropical fruits like passionfruit and a bit of pine.

The flavor follows, but with huge grapefruit bitterness, on the level of an IPA. There’s a light biscuit malt that’s not sweet, so it really makes this beer refreshing. The finish is bitter, grapefruit peel, but not too dry.

This beer teeters on being an IPA with its bitterness and huge hops. Like their other beers, this beer will not knock your socks off, but perfection of craft they have conquered is amazing.

If you want something in the style, try Southern Tier Live. Also a juicy, hoppy, fruity bottle conditioned pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 08:36:31 | More by dar482

GuinnessAtRogerWilco

New Jersey

4.56/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

I've had this beer before and it's one of my favourites. Some are calling Maine Beer the Russian River of the East and while I've only ever had Pliny The Elder from RRB, I can understand why some would make that connection. Wish Maine Beer would send more of their brews to NJ.
500ml bottle poured into a Sam Adams 'perfect pint' glass.

AP: Hazy gold with a 1" white sea foam head that dissipated down to 1/4".
AR: Tropical fruits (pineapple and mango), citrus (tangerine, lemon, orange and a bit of grapefruit) and a whisper of pine.
T: Practically identical to the nose with the fruit flavours of the hops being quite lush and juicy with a bit of cereal grains/cracker and a grassy element as well.
M: Crisp on the tongue with moderate carbonation, the moist juicy feel turns to a lip smacking palate cleansing dry finish.
OV: A rather exceptionally flavourful beer where you can taste each little nuance throughout the enjoyment of it. A superb effort from Maine Beer. Please send more beer to NJ, thanks!

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 05:48:32 | More by GuinnessAtRogerWilco

fmccormi

New York

4.01/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Straight pour from a 500ml / 16.9oz / 1pt 0.9oz pry-off bottle to my DFH IPA glass; bottling date of April 16, 2013 printed in black ink on the side of the label (“041613 13”) with a notice to drink within 90 days of bottling. It’s been 17 days, so freshness is pretty awesome.

Appearance (4.5): Now this beer gives off quite an active pour: four good fingers of very fine foam that dies down slowly, leaving thick, wide, splotchy collars all down the glass; the head also leaves a raised little plateau in the middle of the glass—just excellent. The body is a pale, honey-golden color with orange highlights and just a slight chill haze.

Smell (4.25): Really excellent, sticky citrus notes: mango, some pineapple, and fresh orange juice. Mixes with some mildly dank, mildly catty aromas—overally, characteristically American, in a great way. There are some warm, bready, slightly biscuity malt tones, which are overall nice, blonde, and dry.

Taste (3.75): The hop flavor is surprisingly tame, it seems, but what’s there is still really nice. Some lemony bitterness and flavor, mixed with a really clean, grassy bitterness that characterizes the finish. There’s also a light, almost watered-down pineapple flavor that pairs well with that dry, warm, fresh-baked breadiness. Crackery, crisp, grassy, slightly fruity, and it finishes nicely dry. This is well put-together and well-crafted, but much subtler than I was expecting.

Mouthfeel (4.5): The carbonation is very fine but still on the aggressive side, with a nice foaming action on the way down and prickling very finely all over. The body is almost medium-weight with a slightly oily feel but still finishing very dry. MBC really does the body well for these pale beers.

Overall (4.0): This is a very solid pale ale, though I admit I was expecting something much more lush and juicy—but what’s in the glass is crisp, grassy, dry, refreshing, and very enjoyable. The aroma is fantastic, and to be honest that’s what I was expecting from the palate, but at least with this bottle that’s not the case. But y’know what? Still pretty tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 03:34:15 | More by fmccormi

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.44/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

bottle: 1/12/13

Presently, this is the #13 ranked Pale Ale here on BA. Competitive category... this had better be good.

Served in an Olde Hickory shaped-glass.

A: Poured an apricot color, quite hazy, and with nice half finger or so head on top.

S: POW fruit! Mango upfront, with a good bit of leafy hops to boot. Orange peel might be in there as well, but I wouldn't count on it or anything.

T: There's something about the Pale Ale as opposed to the IPA that really moves me. This strikes a very fine balance between orange juice and beer... mostly beer. Excellent all around hop-wise, and infinitely drinkable.

M: Bubbly and playful in the carbonation sense, with the most ridiculous lacing my eyes have ever seen.

O: Awesome Pale Ale for sure. I've yet to experience a bad beer by Maine Brewing Co.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 04:28:20 | More by Chaney

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

On tap. Pours a burnt golden orange in the glass with a ½ finger of bright-white head. This stay smooth and creamy looking, leaving back a robust smattering of lacing behind. Smells fresh and floral with a little dankness and pine mixed in. Lot of juicy tropical fruit notes. Taste has a zesty grapefruit bitterness with a resinous finish. Sticky notes of fruit, herbal flavors and neutral malt sweetness do a tremendous job of balancing and adding extra flavor to this. The mouthfeel is medium with a firm and sharp feel in the mouth which is undercut by just the right amount of creaminess. This was really nice. An APA with a good bit of aggressive to it yet was still extremely well balanced, with those tropical passion fruit flavors in particular really standing out. Well worth checking out.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2013 12:39:49 | More by Kegatron

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.09/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Prime 16 served in a ¾ pint glass. Why is a 6% APA not in a full pint? Hmm…

A: Very lightly hazed pale amber body, with a finger of dense, pillowy white head. Terrific retention and lace. Excellent.

S: Floral hops dominate, with some light fruity and honey notes as well. Fairly light, very fresh. Enjoyable.

T: Follows the nose at first, with bright floral hoppiness dominating the front and middle; toward the finish the honeyed malt comes into play with a bit of biscuity sweetness ahead of a cleanly bitter aftertaste. Hop-forward but still balanced. Simple and very tasty.

M: Light-bodied and highly carbonated. A bit too thin and bubbly, but not bad for the style.

O: Very good APA, and well-worth the $3.50 price at happy hour - even for a 12oz glass. It's nowhere near amazing enough to justify the price of bottles, though. If this came in a $10 sixpack I’d be all over it.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2013 22:12:41 | More by woosterbill

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.68/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Maine Beer Company - MO

Look - Pours a cloudy honey with a glorious soapy head. Lacing abound.

Smell - Dank citrus hops, spices, snappy malts. Literally mouth-watering.

Taste - Smooth, lightly carbonated dry malt followed by a tasty hop blast. Has some bite. Light and crisp as hell.

Mouthfeel - Clean, dry, and not boozy at all. Quite drinkable.

Overall - What a great brew, thoroughly enjoyed and would 100% recommend. This would be absolutely amazing for a Summer cookout or something, or whenever you want to feel like you are at one.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 11:04:39 | More by JMScowcroft

AltBock

Ohio

4.26/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

16.9oz bottle with a pain and simple classic egg shell white label with the name of the beer in the front. Directly to the left is a stamped born on date. My bottle was born on 1/12/13. They ask you to drink their beer within 90 days. I drank mine on 3/21/13. Nothing really else on the label except for a brief description of the beer and the Government warning.

When poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass, MO was a nice looking golden lemon color. This beer was hazy. So hazy that I could only make the brief silhouette of my fingers on the other side of the glass. On top of this hazy lemon brew was a massive 1 inch fluffy head of cotton white head of foam. It had semi fast retention that left behind a white film and numerous sticky white streaks of lace around the glass. Beautiful appearance!

The aroma was a little citrusy in the beginning. This is where I found bitter grapefruit, lemon, and crispy citrus hops. Directly behind the citrus elements was the mild aroma of pine. When the pine left, that's when the aroma finished up with a little grass and toasted malts. Not the most potent aroma, but this is the type of aroma you want to find in a beer like this.

The taste was crispy and lightly citrusy. Like the aroma, it was the citrus elements that kicked off the taste. I got plenty of bitter grapefruit, lemon, a hint of orange, and some crispy peppery citrus hops. There was some pine after the citrus elements, but they were a little more stronger in the aroma than the taste. After the subtle pine, the taste finishes up with a unique grassy toasted malt mix.

The mouthfeel was light bodied with medium carbonation and a crispy yet dry citrusy aftertaste. The aftertaste featured more grapefruit, lemon, citrus hops, and grass. This dry aftertaste will linger on in your mouth for about a minute or two.

I have to give this beer high drinkability marks because its light bodied, easily drinkable, and filled with great flavors. I got this beer in a trade so I'm not quite sure of the price. Would I drink it again? I sure would! This is my second Maine Beer Co. beer and I've been very impressed with both of them. The ones I had make me want to try their other offerings.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 23:16:52 | More by AltBock

safaricook

Netherlands

3.74/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured this into a small white wine glass at the Collonade hotel in Boston, room 544. Bought at the Bauer wine and spirit at Newbury street just a few blocks away. Label says it should be drunk fresh and mine was bottled just 20 days ago.

Poured a finger of fine white foam that shows great stability and leaves thick lacing.
Body is a pale orange with quite some carbonation visible. 4.0

Smell is changing in back and forth from fresh citric hops to something I fail to place. Something much more mellow maybe tangerine. 3.75

Taste is citric hops mainly, with bitterness in the aftertaste. In my opinion not enough of a balancing malty backbone. 3.75

Fine tickling carbonation makes it quite refreshing. Body is a bit thin. Refreshing but not much more. Foam feels rough. 3.25

I like the beer and its the fresh hops. This is what this beer is about. Like many other american beers it focuses too much on the great hops this country produces and forgets about balance or modesty. Learn from the Belgiums! 3.75

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 16:04:00 | More by safaricook

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A - Cloudy tangerine body, thick white fluffy cap that has excellent retention and lace.

S/T - Tangerine, orange peel, pale, grainy malt sweetness. Some pine/pineapple in the finish. Medium body finishes crisp, clean and dry. Nice depth of hop flavor with little lingering bitterness.

O - Great APA, just wish it didn't cost so much or else I'd be drinking this throughout the summer.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 14:11:45 | More by garuda