Pale 31 - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

rfgetz

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A. bright orangy yellow, full fluffy white head, good lacing

S. appetizing whiffs of sweet clover like hops and malt, slight lemon

T. excellent balance of floral hops and sweet malts, hints of lemon

M. light bodied, good carbonation, refreshing, semi dry

D. fantastic refreshing brew, perfect flavor profile

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 23:17:38 | More by rfgetz

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Juicy citrus aroma.

Juicy from the firm semi-sweet foundation on. Juicy fruits gush through your teeth, leading to a tasty mild bitter bite at the swallow. Light citrus aftertaste tingles briefly.

Soft all purpose mouthfeel.

Superb drinkability.

A great example of west coast pale ale.

Serving type: cask

11-23-2009 06:26:58 | More by RonfromJersey

microbrew52

California

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours bright yellow with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great. It has a light pale and malty scent along with mild hop aroma and a light oak barrel presence. The aroma is quite complex and highly enticing. The taste is decent. It has a thin pale and bisquit malt flavor that goes down easy and finishes bitter with a nice hoppy aftertaste. The barrel taste really covers up the simple, yet refreshing pale malt flavor. The mouthfeel is good. It is a medium/full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a fine pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2009 04:11:00 | More by microbrew52

kpoole25

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a really good example of an American pale ale that goes for balance rather than power. Very drinkable. 12 oz bottle to glass. Dark yellow to orange color, soap suds head. Smell is pine and citrus hops. Taste is well balanced between malt and hops, not too bitter, finishes quite dry and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2010 23:18:28 | More by kpoole25

Bfarr

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark straw colored with thin white head with poor retention. Fruity sweet aroma. Delicate hops with nice sweet apple balance with a hint of pepper. Slight bitter linger with perhaps some pilsner aftertaste. Good carbonation that's not overdone and very smooth and drinkable with a light fuzziness.

This is a great drinking pale ale. Not too much hops but enought to keep a nice balance. Great mouthfeel and definitely a no brainer six pack purchase.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 01:08:43 | More by Bfarr

emmasdad

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Seeing this one on tap next to Union Jack and Double Jack, I didn't have a whole lot of interest in trying this one. After trying it, I was very pleasantly surprised. Poured a nice light golden color with a big white head. Great citrusy hoppy aromas lead nicely to a perfectly balanced palate. An excellent pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2010 03:29:52 | More by emmasdad

Dlish

California

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

First off can't believe I have not reviewed this beer yet. Its pretty much go to 6pack and is a great session beer to get the night started. Being i've had a keg of this for my birthday I might be a bit bias.

A- nice golden color, its the American beer color you think of. Golden crisp, with a white head that thinly laces the edge.

S- Smells hops, and it being they use the three C's Cascade, Centenniall and chinook. Although the hops are very faint, to be fair this beer is cooler than normal. The malt profile is hint in the background.

T- The hops really come through in the taste. Nice herby balance, that is refreshing. The clean bitterness flows great into the light and sweet malt profile. This beer could almost be a pale/honey blond beer with how sweet but warm the malt profile is. This beer does not try to be in your face, (nor are most firestone beers) its perfection is in how clean and crisp it is, which is the American pale ale style.

M- Because of the sweet crisp style, it makes this beer incredibly easy to drink. That and its low alcohol content lets you polish off a 6 pack and not even worry about it.

D- I love this beer, I think I already made that clear. It might be a hometown pride, but personally I just think its because its that good.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 02:55:12 | More by Dlish

McStagger

California

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brewed on 6/20.

A: Pours a transparent yellow. Excellent clarity. Two fingers off white head with moderate dissipation and moderate retention. Fairly active carbonation.

S: Prevalent, without being overwhelming hop scent. Grapefruit, pine cone, bit of soapiness. Undertone of crisp breadiness in the malt. This isn't doughy, like many malts have a tendency to lean towards. Borderline cracker like.

T: Lean, light bodied entrance with a crisp, citrus like explosion of awesome citric hops and then a complete dryness. Borderline chalky/aspirin on the finish. Very small hint of fruitiness at the end to remind me this is an ale. I doubt I could tell tasting it blind.

M: Light bodied and crisp with a long, dry finish.

O: Truly a session beer for the hop inclined. Not even 5% alcohol and an ass kicking amount of flavor and balance. Goes good with fried chicken, too!

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 07:13:13 | More by McStagger

wcudwight

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Oh man....thanks BeerRun13 and NC Lotto BIF for introducing me to a very fine APA, that I otherwise would know nothing about. Isn't that what BIFs are all about anyway.
Pours a golden/copper color with a nice sticky beige 2 finger head that retains well. Spiderweb lacing.
Floral and candy aroma. Sweet smelling.
Mmmm! Bannana, nice citrus and floral hops but balanced out nicely by a sweet malt backbone. Good hop finish. Unexpected hop burps. This beer is nicely hopped with out being a hop bomb. Not over the top citrus hops like many IPA's outhere.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied.
Drinkability. Everyone should put this on there want list right now!!! It's that drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2006 01:54:01 | More by wcudwight

cerveza5150

California

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a burnt golden brown color with tiny bubbles of carbonation. The head formation is nice, but the retention turns kinda soapy.

Smells of spicy hops with some earthy undertones.

The taste is great - refreshing, hoppy, and just slightly sweet. You need to like hops to enjoy this, but I'll take this and it's relatively low ABV (4.6%) any day over swill at the local 5 and dime.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2006 01:39:57 | More by cerveza5150

techdiver

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a clear gold with modest head that dissipates quickly.

Typical hoppy nose, nothing special.

Well balanced, nothing overwhelming; just a modest APA.

Good carbonation, refreshing, and very mellow.

Great drinkability, it's gone before you know it. After the disappointment of the Double Barrel, this is an improvement.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2007 19:46:03 | More by techdiver

GClarkage

California

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

5/18/08- Purchased at Piazza's in San Mateo, CA.

Presentation- 12oz bottle with no freshness info. Poured into a random pint glass.

Appearance- Light golden in color with a 3/4 inch head. Lightly frothy and holds at a slight rim. Light lacing remains.

Smell- Very hoppy with grapefruit rind nose and a touch of pine. A slight toasted malt is hidden, but barely peeks through.

Taste- This one could easily pass an an IPA. It's got a very large grapefruit hop bite and a bit of pine needle flavor as well. Malt is lightly sweet and caramel flavored. Malt comes through more as you get deep into the beer.

Mouthfeel- A tad overcarbonated. Crisp, sweet and bitter lasting aftertaste.

Drinkability- I really enjoyed this IPA...errr, pale ale. Definitely recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2008 15:39:01 | More by GClarkage

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Modest start to the head. Leaves some streak and spotty lace.

Excellent hop aroma; half floral and half peppery.

Good malt start but it quickly devolved into a hop bomb. This borders on an IPA in terms of bitterness. Good body with a high carbonation level.

If you like bitter beers, this could be a new favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 01:48:26 | More by smcolw

zymurgy4all

New York

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a deep golden color, has a decent head, and nice lacing. The aroma is a wonderful bouquet of citrusy hops. The flavor is citrusy as well, and is remarkably pleasant. This is a great example of the American Pale Ale style. There is a little bit of crystal malt flavor that completes this ale. If you like APA style, this is worth going out of your way for. Great beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2007 23:14:09 | More by zymurgy4all

dickroop

Maryland

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Scored a sixer of this west-coast stuff at State Line Liquor - had never heard of it before!

Its color could almost pass for Miller High Life - straw with not much head. The give-aways are that it's hazy, not see-thru and the lacing is promising. The smell is also promising - a little sweet, lots of phenolic hops with some citrus and floral notes, against a faintly earthy backdrop. Mmmm.

Taste does not disappoint. Malt sweetness is very muted, and bitterness appears at the back sides of the tongue right away, gentle but persuasive. There's a topnote of malt, faintly bready or biscuity, but the finish is dry and clean. Mmmm, again.

The mouthfeel is light, there's some chewiness, and some really nice zing that comes from ?? somewhere. Drinkability? This brew is Super-Sessionable! With a 4.8 ABV, this ale is for sustained enjoyment. What a treat. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2009 21:55:54 | More by dickroop

mrpunan

California

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

In my quest for truly hoppy session beers, I tried Pale 31 early on and wasn't impressed. But I have returned to it, and found it to be a most excellent sessioner.

a- crystal clear golden light amber. Considering the dry hopping, i wouldn't have been surprised to see haze, but it is clear as a bell, making it look a lot like you are drinking a BMC. Your non-beer-nerd buddies will leave you alone on game day when you are all drinking from clear plastic cups.

s- pretty faint, again considering dry hopping. But it does smell good, like a distant IPA. Plenty of fresh c-hops and more muted pale malts.

t- very bitter for 4.6% (or is it 4.8%? bottle and website differ) and very hoppy. Malts are barely perceptible but there. This is pretty much hop juice, and it gets a lot tastier on the 2nd bottle. I've noticed this with other low ABV high hop beers, no idea why. But with the low abv, 2 is usually called for. Once I got the flavor, with the fantastic aftertaste of citrus hop oil, I have been craving it. Got another 6 today.

m- reminds me of natural cider, very fine bubbles. leaves a coating of hop oil after it goes down, yum.

d- off the charts. a hop head's session delight.

one thing i noticed: this beer really needs to be fresh. maybe the lower abv doesn't do as much to keep the hop flavor fresh compared to 7% IPAs, but if you get can't get this on tap, look at the neck carefully and you'll see the bottled-on date. My latest 6 was bottled a month ago, but my prior one was 2.5 months before i drank it, and the younger beer is much hoppier.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2010 03:08:59 | More by mrpunan

grittybrews

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a clear orange-amber into a pint glass with a finger of fluffy white head that slowly receded to a thin film. Mild floral aroma of pine and orange citrus.

Moderate carbonation and a light, creamy, almost resiny mouthfeel. Citrus up front with a nice honey caramel malt backbone. Gentle hoppy finish with just a hint of bitterness.

Not flashy, but another well-crafted brew from Firestone Walker. Balanced and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 04:42:57 | More by grittybrews

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured out as a hazy yellow color with a white foamy head on top. The retention and lacing were very good on this beer. The smell of the beer gives off a massive fresh citrus hop aroma. The smell of the beer seems very fresh, bright and lively. The taste of the beer is bitter with a good balance of malt and hops. There are fruity notes in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel of the beer is medium bodied with a solid carbonation and a clean crisp finish to it. Overall this one is very good, it pushes the boundaries of being an APA and IPA, this beer could go either way I think. It's very good though regardless.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2012 02:12:00 | More by Knapp85

apintofknowledge

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a golden, apple-juice color, slightly hazy with a 1/2" off-white head. The aroma was exceptional... I could smell it as soon as I opened the bottle, and it just got better when I poured it in my glass... aromas of pine and citrus, a wonderfully fresh and hoppy smell. The taste is relatively mellow and smooth... it may smell like a hop-bomb, but it's actually a very balanced beer... definitely a Pale Ale and not an IPA or a typically overly bitter West Coast Pale Ale (yes, a generalization, but often true in my opinion). While mellow, the taste is actually quite full and rich... it's initially mildly sweet with a grassy flavor, followed by a malty middle with hints of lemon peel. The finish lingers with a mild bitterness, earthy, woody and root-like flavors. A beer that's very drinkable, and can simply be enjoyed... but take some time to notice the subtle complexities of this well-crafted brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2005 03:32:39 | More by apintofknowledge

blackie

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

appearance: The pour into my pint glass produces a .25" white head that soon recedes to a thin layer and a ring around the glass. The beer is a deep golden color with a small amount of yeast suspended throughout.

smell: The smell is up there with Alpha King, in my opinion. A great balance of beautiful, fresh, green, piney hops and caramel sweetness. Also some aromas of candied tropical fruits.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is on the high end of the medium range, and the body toward the light end of the medium range.

taste: Delicious. Definately hop balanced. The bitterness is moderate, and there's a flavor of steeped/boiled hop matter. The malt lends just about the right amount of sweetness, as well as some fruity notes. Finishes dryly.

drinkability: aromatic, tasty, and easy to drink

Received from Zorro in BCG BIF. Bottled on date of 10/11/05 is printed on the bottle. Underrated, I think.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2006 03:57:55 | More by blackie

Callenak

California

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a nice, clean copper with a decent white head.

S - Smells great. Not overtly hoppy, but a definite American hop presence.

T - A great example of an APA. My only complaint would be it's to balanced, I love hops, but I know this isn't an IPA. A good caramel, malt backbone to this beer. Less bitter and more sweet than say SNPA, but a nice relief from it too. If firestone were to take this recipe and up the hops to make an IPA out of it, it would be amazing. Much better than the Nectar Ales IPA, which I already enjoy.

For the style, this beer is great. Highly enjoyable and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2006 21:14:20 | More by Callenak

Halcyondays

California

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz. bottle, single, purchased from the Hi-Times Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa,

A: Pours a macro pale yellow, with a white head that's a tad on the thin side, but has good retention and leaves some nice beer lacing.

S: Light smell of hops and malt, some oak.

T: Very crisp hop bite attacks first with some citrus and tropical fruits, maybe a bit of tangerine. Toffee and sourdough bread come in as the malt backbone, with a very nice vanilla note to end the beer, a gem.

M: Crisp, light and smooth, good carbonation, very refreshing.

D: This is a really good pale, up there with Anchor and Alpha King, possibly the best made in CA.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2008 22:21:29 | More by Halcyondays

smakawhat

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out of the cask into a nonic tumbler at Church Key as part of the official Firestone Walker DC Launch Party.

Looks with a soupy but creamy off white head sitting on a nice cloud gorgeous twenty four carat body. Almost pale amber. Super lacing on the drink while finishing. Looks so delicious.

Bouquet seems to be a real soft floral hop, with a soft malt body. Small hint of crisp, but no buttery sensation that you would want to get from a cask.

Taste is wet, but also a great white dense bread feeling with a hint of sweet clove spice. Texture is an orange juice quality and chewy palate coating.

Overall out of the cask it's a little different, but it's quite tasty and super sessionable as well. This almost feels like a mix somewhere between an on tap and cask Ale, sort of a middle ground between both worlds.

Serving type: cask

04-05-2011 03:39:03 | More by smakawhat

output01x

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. capped bottle (Bottled On 01/10/12) into a pint glass.

A moderate pour yields a 1- off white head that slowly recedes after a couple minutes to a thin, messy dusting and thing foam ring. The body is a clear orange gold with a decent amount of slow-rising carbonation bubbles. Thin lacing clings to nearly every available surface.

Light and sweet citrus hops aromas bring notes of mandarin oranges and tangerines. A strong caramel malt presence does a great job of balancing the nose.

Like the nose, each sip starts with sweet orange-like citrus flavors. Notes of peaches and tangerines give this Pale Ale a rather unique flavor. Swallowing the beer releases a floral hops flavor that combines well with the citrus flavors. As these fade, a slight grassy bitterness sets in that compliments the rest of the flavors.

The light body is easy-drinking and certainly refreshing. The carbonation is only slightly fizzy, making this beer crisp and easy-swallowed.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 03:59:53 | More by output01x

DocJitsu

California

4.23/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've had this beer many times, both on tap and in the bottle. It has never tasted the same each time. Fortunately, this time (out of the tap), it suited my taste better than any other. It pours a beautiful golden color with a distinct citrus bouquet. No head at all, but this is likely the bar tender's choice in the way she poured to fit as much beer in the pint as possible. An easily discernible citrus up front with an alternating citrus and less present pine at the finish. A well-balanced grain and hop concoction. An excellent example of a pale ale. A competitor for Sierra Nevada as a go to, quintessential American pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 14:47:24 | More by DocJitsu