8th Street Ale - Four Peaks Brewing Company

BucannonXC5

California

2.98/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Hotel glass (~1/3 pint)
From: A Chevron in Tempe, Ariz.
Price: $8.99 for mixed 6-pack
Purchased: May 15, 2013
Consumed: May 15, 2013
Misc.: N/A

Poured a caramel, copper, dark urine-like clear color with 1-2 fingers of khaki-white head. Plenty of foamy layered lacing on the sides. Pretty good retention on the top.

Smelled honey malts up front. Also wheat, hay and grass with a touch of lemon coming through. Honey heavy for the most part though. Faint sugary floral hops come in late.

Tasted like a lighter version than the smell. Honey, wheat, grass with bitterness on the tongue after. Fairly bland.

Light body. Creamy texture. Average-to-soft carbonation. Abrupt, watery finish.

Nothing special about this beer. Pretty average all around.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 06:32:33 | More by BucannonXC5

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up at the Total Wine a few miles down the Interstate from where I'm staying out here in Arizona. The Kilt LIfter seemed to be more popular but I was in the mood for something hoppier, but this barely fit that bill. With only 21 IBU's, this was a lot more easygoing than I thought but it wasn't a bad beer and a session brew is what I needed out here given how far from everything this place is and that I haven't met anyone anyone near my age at this hotel yet.

The pour to this was a fairly dark copper with enough head present and some lacing to be seen as well. Not much of an aroma to this and what stuck out in the nose and taste was the caramel. Very little hops here and they leaned towards the floral side. The mouthfeel was not that heavy and a bit watery, and the aftertaste was just a hint metallic. This was really easy to down and it's not that I didn't like this, it was just unmemorable with nothing stading out about it.

I bought a full six-pack of this and thankfully, I won't have any trouble getting rid of this before I have to head back east on Thursday morning. Session beers don't get any more obvious than this and as hard as this was to like, it was as hard to dislike. Fits the style well and I almost thought this was a Vienna Lager because of the maltiness that was present thorughout from start to finish. Not a bad start for anyone like me who hasn't had a beer from the Grand Canyon State in ages.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 08:23:08 | More by JerzDevl2000

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a fluted pint glass, color is copper, nice of white head.

Smell biscuit, toast, light caramel malt flavors, hint of mild hops, maybe grass.

Taste is pretty neutral, some lighter caramel notes, light toast, some mild bitter flavors.

Mouthfeel is where the hops display themselves, some drying bitterness with nice caramel and toasted malt notes.

Overall, its an easy drinking ale, nice toast and malt notes - would to stop by the brewery again for it on tap.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 00:45:25 | More by mvanaskie13

JohnnyJam

Arizona

2.15/5  rDev -40.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pint glass on tap. I will try it again.

A: Golden color. There is no head and no lacing.

S: There is a sweet smell that may be caramel but there is also something else. It is not metal but a platic smell. This is the most notable: plastic.

T: Weak and not very interesting. Tastes mostly of soap.

M: I can drink it but I wouldn't say that it is easy to drink.

O: This is the third time I tried this beer. Note to self: NOT again. More to dislike than to like.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2012 21:28:38 | More by JohnnyJam

mfavoino

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass on 9/20/12.

Appearance: Cloudy, light amber with two fingers of head that dissipated quickly to a rim around the glass.

Smell: Subtle fruitiness mixes with a prevalent caramel malt backbone.

Taste: Sweet malty caramel combines with some light fruit flavors and grass. Finishes with a soft hop bite.

Mouthfeel: Very light body with medium carbonation.

Overall: Not bursting with flavor by any means, but true to the EPA style that definitely leans toward the maltier side when compared to APAs.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 03:02:18 | More by mfavoino

Dave1999

Virginia

3.28/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a transparent amber with a white foamy head.

The smell was very muted but was a little sweet.

The taste was a little sweet and malty with a bit of a hoppy bitter taste.

The mouth feel was pretty smooth with low to medium carbonation.

The beer was ok crisp and refreshing but nothing all that great.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 18:46:41 | More by Dave1999

etop8222

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

In the process of tasting 9 new beers and so far this one rates an 8 out of 10. I was really surprised at the great tase since I normally prefer a hoppy beer or a very dark stout. I woul definately buy this by the case if it were available here in Pennsylvania. It is so smooth with an almost light body. I could almost classify this as a pilsner but with more flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 20:58:21 | More by etop8222

AEArider

Arizona

3.93/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a deep gold, soapy head, fine lacing. Smells zesty and citrusy. . . fresh. Taste is well balanced and smooth, with a bit of bite on the tail end. Mouthfeel is excellent, creamier than expected, and prods you to pop another open. An overall well example of the style, and just very enjoyable to drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 07:27:23 | More by AEArider

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got a bottle at AJ's. This reminds me of Tree Fort Ale from Michigan, which is also a very bright take on the English pale ale. The flavor and aroma are a mix of lemony hops and toasty, bready malts. It's not necessarily clean, like there's a gentle creamy undertone, with the yeast playing a small complement to the malts. A tasty session beer, worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 13:23:27 | More by tempest

Wowcoolman

California

3.58/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My bottle says 4.5%, sessionable even by English-style standards. Poors a light amber with ample, slightly aggressive head. Lemony esters detectable in the nose with subtle biscuit and woodsy hops in the background. Very dry on the palette, hops add gently bitterness, citrus-lemon flavors are reminiscent of a hefeweizen. Lacing holds up nicely with carbonation giving the beer much fullness in the mouth. Very enjoyable for it's weight class. Featured hops are Golding and Fuggle- this isn't your West Coast pale ale, still full of flavor. 21 IBUs. Text on the bottle suggests you shouldn't drink this beer alone. Guess I blew it. Tasty nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:09:59 | More by Wowcoolman

downhilldrift

Arizona

3.93/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Overall a good all-purpose beer. On the lighter side, and not too much to it. Tastes great. I have it at Four Peaks Brewery all the time, and matches well with a lot of the things on their menu. Not really hoppy, either. This beer has a great smell to it and goes down extremely smoothly.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2011 08:31:07 | More by downhilldrift

Kranders

Massachusetts

2.53/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pretty light pouring beer, and really there wasn't a lot too it. It was overly sweet but lacked a lot of body to the beer, which is a little surprising. Very little detectable hops, and just a bland beer overall. A little too light and a little too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 15:32:53 | More by Kranders

mactrail

California

3.2/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Light bodied as expected. Some odd flavors. Slight sourness. A touch of spoiled fruit. But nice spicy hop aroma is the best feature. Hops are floral and bitterness is restrained. Less bitter than some Pale Ales of the British persuasion and way less bitter than the American competition.

A light quaff with a spicy touch of hops. More drinkable than some but not very interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2011 05:25:49 | More by mactrail

aval89

Arizona

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: clear dark golden color.. 1 finger head.

S: nice fruitiness with good caramel base.

T: malty sweetness upfront.. then some grassiness with some light bitterness. I also get some fruitiness with a pstands each flavor that stands out..

Mf: light medium body with creamy feel..

O: a good session brew that has enough flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 02:30:38 | More by aval89

jdense

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle handcarried to meeting point in SoCal by Raoul Duke, Center Fielder, St. Louis Browns, early August 2011, consumed after UCLA victory over Beavers 9.24.11, poured into Full Sail shaker pint glass.

3/4 finger white head, medium-slow dissipation with retained head climbing up side of glass. Amber clear body, plethora of streams of uprising carbonation. Taste is caramel forward, a bit grassy, some breadiness. Taste mirrors nose, fairly caramely, lacking a bit in balance, though for a EPA pretty close to style, hops really subsumed by the malt. Medium mouthfeel, soft, acceptable effervescence. Nothing remarkable, though the bready notes helped drinkability. Frankly, I'd rather have a Mirror Pond.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 01:03:59 | More by jdense

ccrida

Oregon

2.58/5  rDev -28.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On draught at FBC, 8th Street Ale is bronze with a thin white collar that leaves very light, scattered lace.

Smell is weak, orange marmalade, a little plastic.

Taste is weak, some malt, phenolic, a hint of esters.

Mouthfeel is light bodied, dry.

Drinkability is okay. It's mild and generic. It's also utterly forgettable. The plasticy phenols are the most distinguishing factor, and are not appropriate for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 23:07:05 | More by ccrida

Redfoot19

Mexico

3.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This should be what most advertised beer taste like. The Four peaks 8th street is a solid beer, that wont disappoint a beer advocate.
Has a nice color, smells good too. The taste is the best aspect, very flavorful. I may not pick it out of the whole bunch first, but I still pick up a 6 pack for parties. If you like dark beers, or average beers, 8th street shouldn't appeal to all.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 19:01:00 | More by Redfoot19

Allpe45

Arizona

3.7/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Dispensed via hand pump at the brewery
Appears golden orange, hazy, with a tiny white head, less than 1 finger. The head vanishes quickly, leaving no lacing. Smell is somewhat muted, hard to smell it over the aromas wafting through the restaurant. Smells like fresh floral hops and bready malts, hints of citrus. Tastes especially like bready/biscuity malts and bittering hops up front, very malt forward pale ale, english style for sure. Some caramel and more bread in the middle, then a subtle hop bitterness in the finish that lingers for quite a while. Medium-light bodied with very low carbonation. Extremely smooth mouthfeel, sticky bitter lingering dryness coats the mouth. Tastes more like an ESB than a pale ale in my opinion, extremely balanced. Still nice to have a low abv English style on cask.

Serving type: cask

06-18-2011 02:12:59 | More by Allpe45

KevinBrewer

California

4.33/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Clear pale amber with a moderate white head that dissipates quickly leaving minimal lacing.

N- Toasted grain with a beery twang and a blanket of flowers. Also some caramel, spice, soft fruity accents, and a hint of citrus.

T- Crisp toasted grain sweetened with a little caramel and balanced with an exceptionally smooth hop bitterness. Fruity and floral hops add another dimension to the malt, and some juicy citrus quenches the thirst, enticing you to take the next drink.

M- Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, and a fairly sweet finish.

D- Overall, an exceptional session ale. Very full flavored and thirst quenching at the same time. 4.5%ABV makes this a beer to buy by the case.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2011 04:30:15 | More by KevinBrewer

snpub540

California

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a dryhopped cask version at the Tempe location.

Pale golden hue, with some amber highlights in it. Nice off white head that was about 2 fingers in height. Left very clingy lacing on the glass.

Aroma was nicely balanced between floral hops and bready and caramel notes.

Taste was a supper smooth balance between the bready sweetness upfront and the crisp floral bitter hop finish.

The cask gave a super creamy body that was just about the best part of this beer. Easy drinking and quite enjoyable I must say.

Serving type: cask

05-02-2011 06:54:51 | More by snpub540

swthomas55

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +34.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had it on tap at the brewery in Tempe, this was my introduction to 4 Peaks. I thought it was an excellent example of English pale ale. The aroma is a beautiful blend of pale malt and English hops (my nose said Goldings), acting as an invitation to drink. The beauty of the aroma carries through to the flavor and mouth feel. The balance of malt, hop flavor, sweet and bitter is excellent. To my taste, it would be hard to improve on this one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 02:39:33 | More by swthomas55

rowew

Colorado

3.1/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: 12 oz longneck, label has a picture of the brewery and the 8th street sign. Described as a classic English Pale Ale. No date or ABV information.

Appearance: Pale amber in color, big bubbly head fades quickly and leaves a bit of lace.

Smell: Bready malt, just a bit of floral hops.

Taste: Pretty basic stuff here .. classic pale ale flavors, bready malt with just a hint of hops.

Overall impression: This isn't too exciting .. but it's drinkable. Solid beer that I wouldn't mind having a few of.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 01:28:32 | More by rowew

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A solid EPA from the desert. Pours a shiny copper, clear with a 1 finger head that is mostly white with some faint hazelnut mixed around.

Aroma isn't all that powerful, but doesn't have anything bad. Earthy or herbal hops and medium sweetness come through.

Nice balance. The hops through around the sweetness. Caramel and browned biscuit provide a nice backbone. Soft tropical fruit is detected but is overpowered by a not-all-that-powerful earthiness. herbal undertones on the finish.

Very nice drinking, well balanced and light on the abv

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 08:04:43 | More by Mebuzzard

mmciz

Oregon

3.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I've been drinking this beer for four years now from taps and bottles - it's always been my favorite of the everyday options from Tempe's Four Peaks Brewing Company - but never sat down and analyzed it closely. Bought a 12 ounce bottle from Sun Devil Liquor in Mesa and poured into a tall Pilsner glass next to a slice of crusty French bread. It's a very traditional English-style ale without a lot of complexity but also without any real flaws.

A: Amber with a nice warm glow. Thin head with a bright little glisten.

S: The old world hops give this a muted, lightly-floral scent. Not unlike some of the old-fashioned perfumes you might remember your grandmother wearing.

T: Pretty much a straightforward English-style pale ale. Very well balanced with a nice touch of crabapple-like bitterness from the hops and a natural sweetness.

M: Warm and sleek.

D: There's a nice blend of familiar and complex here - the sort of beer you could do a session with -- especially since it's only 4.5% abv.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 21:17:15 | More by mmciz

DPFRD

Arizona

3.6/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Light coppery color, ok head.

S- Meek citrus engulfed in an even malty aroma.

T- Very tame, Not really hoppy and well balanced non intrusive grain profile... average pale ale.

M: medium bodied.

D: Good for seshing on. Personally, I think it's a little bland compared to Four Peaks other concoctions, still a good brew though.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2010 08:57:58 | More by DPFRD