HPA - Butcher's Brewing

vince4953529

California

2.7/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I found a few bottles while in Hi-Time. Never heard of this brewery before. I passed by this a few times, finally decided to give it a chance, taking risk trying a new beer from an unknown brewery.
Self-proclaimed to be Hawaiian-style, I did not know what to expect just as to a South Dakota - style beer.

Color was deep copper with little to medium head. The smell was faint malt.

The taste was dominated by tea-like, buiscuity malt, and then a watery finish. I did not taste any hop bite whatsoever. It was rather watery for a 5.6% abv brew.
Mouthfeel was thin.
Overall not too impressed. 22 oz bomber became a chore to finish not because of offensive taste but the malted water taste gets old quick.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 23:05:53 | More by vince4953529

Offa

California

2.99/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is a decent, basic but enjoyable American pale ale.

Dark gold, it has a medium off-white head steadily shrinking to a thin foamy top, a little lace.

Aroma is grain, hay, grass, hint of soap.

Taste is sweet hay, honey, bitter-sharp green grass, pepper. It's a fairly good, basic, drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 20:14:28 | More by Offa

frozenjogurt

California

3.5/5  rDev +23.2%

10-01-2012 06:05:27 | More by frozenjogurt

srandycarter

California

2.83/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - Fairly clear light apricot, nice thick near white half inch head. lots of cling.

S - Hops are there, but not much sweet malt. Also, a sort of tinny, macro lager smell.

T - Mix a macro with a decent micro pale, and this is what you get. Picture it. I know you can.

M - Light body, good carb, finishes with a little malt and tin.

D - Good to try, won't again.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 21:39:04 | More by srandycarter

DoubleJ

California

2.4/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Damn, and I thought that I was purchasing a Hawaiian product. I should have read the lable more carefully before I purchased the bomber. You know what time it is:

Lighter colored, toasted orange with shiny yellow hues. With a thick, meaty head that gives off solid lace, this looks like it should be an appetizing ale. The aroma casts doubt of that. It's erratic, unpolished, and offers a decent passionfruit note, a so-so diacetyl aroma, and dissapointing graininess.

A moral vicotry is granted to Hawaiian Pale Ale, because the taste isn't completely foul. Oddly, it does actually have a little flavor of Hawaii, that passionfruit flavor sticks out pleasantly. Similar in the way that Wailua Wheat has that addition of fruit. The rest of the journey is sub-par. There is a slight caramel flavor, moderate diacetyl coming in the way, and a bland bitterness. The body is lighter medium, with carbonation being modest, and an aftertaste than leaves a sharp bitterness and subtle fruitiness.

That was dissapointing. How does a beer that calls itself a Hawaiian Pale Ale come out of Wisconsin? Oh, you thought I was talking about the beer's characteristics....

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 05:00:20 | More by DoubleJ

notchucknorris

California

2.48/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Picked up a can of this at Bottlecraft a little while back. Says it was canned in Wisconsin but apparently the brewery is right here in SD. Weird...

A: Slight hazy golden color with an extremely thin tan head.

S: Sort of a strange smell here. Lots of bready and cardboard like malt with a hint of yeast and faint tropical fruit notes.

T: When it's really cold, it's easy drinking enough, but this just isn't good. Tons of breadiness and little hop flavor. Apparently there's Belgian yeast in this but I couldn't find it anywhere. The finish brings a strange and almost metallic bitterness that got old pretty quick. Can't say I'd recommend this one.

Serving type: can

03-07-2012 07:27:55 | More by notchucknorris

mactrail

California

2.98/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Rather striking at first taste, as in "what is this stuff?" There is a peculiar bitter and woody flavor that is I hope is hop-induced. Reminds me of a very hoppy Pilsener that got aged in a wooden water tank. Odd color-- golden with a brownish tinge, but quite clear and attractive. The nose, which is rather perfumey, again like a Pilsener or Kolsch, is rather nice.

Quite bitter and eventually fairly unpleasant. Only 36 IBU, the brewery claims, and made with Belgian ale yeast, which may be what adds the odd flavor. I just don't get a good feeling from it, as in what else is going on in the chemistry?

Label says "Irvine, CA." Apparently contract brewed by or at Bayhawk Ales. It will be interesting to see if Butchers gets it together to brew on their own, and what else they make. 22 oz bottle from Sprouts (formerly Henry's) market in San Diego.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 06:02:51 | More by mactrail