Michelob Pale Ale - Anheuser-Busch

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

2.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Closer to amberish orange than orangish amber. Variously sized bubbles zip up to a beige colored crown that has a decent look about it. The foam is impressively persistent and is doing a more than credible job when it comes to lace. No problems here.

Michelob Pale Ale doesn't smell like a pale ale of any sort. The absence of any citrusiness and a preponderance of noble hops makes it smell like a German pilsener. It also lacks power. So far... not impressed.

This is not an especially good effort. The only thing the brewers did right was to add an adequate amount of hops. This is probably the most bitter A-B beer that I've ever had. Gently grassy, faintly lemony hops (probably Saaz... possibly Tettnang) dominate the simple flavor profile.

Unfortunately, the hops don't completely cover the husky graininess of the malt. MPA is more like a full-bodied German pilsner cut with a generous portion of Budweiser. I swear that I could have identified this as an A-B product if blinded. Thankfully, the alpha acids scrub away most of the underlying nastiness. Increasingly so as the ounces pass.

A more full mouthfeel would have been better, but what has been provided is decent. Another slight negative is that the carbonation favors harsh over soft and smooth.

For my money, when it comes to beer with 'Michelob' on the label, Michelob Porter wins the gold, Michelob Bavarian Style Wheat wins the silver and Michelob Pale Ale wins the bronze. At least they're trying to brew good beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2008 13:52:57 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

2.88/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The third in the lineup that I tried the night before the wedding. While I have to admit this was not the greatest of pale ales, it was by no means terrible and I really think they may be trying to go in the right direction here. Served cold right out of the fridge and poured into a pilsner glass, this one was consumed on 10/09/2008.

The pour was rather no descript. Very light amber in color, nearly that straw yellow we have all come to fear and loath, but there was some semblance of orange showing up in there. A modest amount of carbonation could be seen streaming up from the bottom of the glass, and this only went so far as to showcase the little bit of had there was on the top.

The aroma was very light. Almost effortless. There was the slightest bit of a light citrus hop nose, but that faded quickly and left behind only the slightest touch of light grain across the nose. The flavor was more f the same. Quick, clean, and crisp, with virtually no aftertaste. A bit disappointing. Now you like a pale ale light, but this was just a little too much for me if I am being honest. Hardly a speck of flavor, it was almost too light to even be effective in a style. Super light body with decent carbonation led to this one being session able, but the flavor was too little for me to want to go back to it again.

Overall it was ok, nothing really special going on here at all, in fact I do not think I would revisit this one as there was just not enough life in it to keep me interested for any length of time.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2008 00:46:06 | More by mikesgroove

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.18/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a clear, orange-copper body topped with a thin, whitish head.

Smell: Mild, lightly sweetish aroma smelling of basic pale malts, Noble hops, and hints of citrus.

Taste: Common, sweetish pale maltiness with merely a minor presence of caramel. Spicy hops, a secondary touch of citrus, and a balancing bitterness. Finishes drying, clean, and crisp.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Though it's by no means great, it still remains an acceptable, even sufficient little pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2009 14:52:30 | More by ChainGangGuy

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.05/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Again, I'm impressed that the brewery can make decent craft-ish beers. This begins with a pronounced mix of piney and citrus hops with some herbal, spicy character. The hops stand out so well because the of the timid malt base. Here, the beer falls somewhere between cracker-like and grainy, though fully attenuated for maximum hoppiness. All this evident equally in the nose and taste. The body, typically of these Michelob craft beers, fall quite short and make the beer somewhat grainy and thin. Hops take on a metalic bite in the throat without any meaningfull maltiness. Still not bad, just average.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2008 13:46:04 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

2.63/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

How bout those Lions!Well this gem actually had a very nice pour and appearance,a light clear golden with a one finger head that settled nicely leaving a ring of lace behind.No aromas really uhm maybe some toasted grain but not much goin on,where are the hops?It says dry hopped but I dont get em a decent toasted grain finish and lightly sweet but no hops.Well a classic pale ale hell no a mindless easy drinking beer sure,I'll pass next time.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2005 20:36:23 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +24.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Noble hops abound in Michelob Pale Ale (namely Saaz) in both the flavor and the aroma.

It pours a crystal-clear amber body beneath a frothy head of white that slowly receeds to a thin, creamy surface covering. Some nice, wide, creamy, and craggy rings of lace are left behind throughout most of the glass.

The nose is bright and fresh and spicy, floral, and grassy! There are also some biscuity notes of malt but they take second chair at best.

The mouthfeel is smooth and lightly crisp with a medium body and restrained carbonation. (I think I'd like to see more zest here, but on the other hand its soft mouthfeel is kind of like an English pale ale. But the hop flavors and aromas leave it more like a pilsner. And along that line of thinking, the malt is more American in style with it's limited-caramel character. Quite the hybrid I'd say!!!)

The flavor again delivers lots of noble hops, very gently resiny, and floral, grassy, and spicy in character (I'm thinking Saaz, Mt. Hood, Ultra, Crystal). It's a very nice blend... ... very round and soft without losing the slightly rough edge of the spicy Saaz. But the hops are also nicely nestled in amidst the gently biscuity malt, which leaves it even more rounded; and then it's balanced by a sublime bitterness that stands off in the shadows until it's needed to help dry things out in the finish.

There's great finesse to this ale. It's kind of quirky in its choice of hops and carbonation level, but it's all pulled together nicely. It lacks the hop power of a more full-throttle Pacific Northwest American pale ale, and also the raw, base drinkability of its forebear British cousins, but the gleam that the German-type hops adds suggests that there's been just enough polish to make this one a star!

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2006 14:11:25 | More by NeroFiddled

WesWes

New York

3.08/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The beer pours a golden color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is average. It has a pale malt scent with a slight hop bitterness. It has a skunky kind of aroma to it as well as being quite dry. The taste is average as well. It has a grainy pale malt flavor with a dry and skunky aftertaste. The dry hopping does little to entice me here. The hops are very suttle and appear in the finish. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is an average pale ale. I really wish if these macro brewers were going to brew quality beers they would use a little more hops and open the malt selection up to more than just the basic pale base grain, god knows they can afford it.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2004 02:44:55 | More by WesWes

zeff80

Missouri

3.23/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Born on date of 06 Sept. 07

A - Poured out a ornage/golden color with a good deal of carbonation. It had a bubbly, white, one-finger head that left some soapy lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of some grass (very faint) and grain adjuncts.

T - It tasted quite sweet. There were also grain flavors and some citrus. It had a slight bitter hop kick.

M- It was realtively crisp and sharp. A light to medium-bodied beer.

D - Not bad for a Pale Ale from a BMC. Still it doesn't compare to a real pale ale from most any micro.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2008 04:30:19 | More by zeff80

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.48/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle Code 09051 VA30; Sampled May 2009
A solid pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces a frothy, four-finger thick, lightly tan colored head. The beer is a brilliantly clear, burnished copper hue that has some large bubbles rising up through it. The aroma has a metallic, cheap beer, hop note to it that is really not all that appealing. Underneath this there is a faint citrus component as well as a crystal malt note that contributes some toasted grain notes as well as a touch of caramelized malt sugars. The citrus notes pick up a bit of a boost after some time, and it seems to lose that objectionable up front note as well. The nose is not bad, but certainly didn't start off on the right note.

My first sip is dry up front with a touch of sweetness towards the middle. Subsequent sips have a touch more crystal malt sweetness, but this remains on the dry side of the spectrum. There is a touch of a hop bite to the finish, as well as a nice herbal hop presence. Citrus hop notes are here, if somewhat muted, and contribute notes similar to orange oil and some grapefruit notes. A touch of biscuit like maltiness is noticeable here at times and the body is nice and light enough to be easily within style. There is a touch of metallic hop character in the finish here, but it is not always noticeable.

Not bad, but I was hoping for more, the beer just doesn't deliver the hop character that I really like in a good Pale Ale. Having said that this is more of an old school American Pale Ale; ten years ago this would have been a decently hoppy version of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2009 16:00:18 | More by Gueuzedude

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours an effervescent bronze/amber with 2+ fingers of cream colored head. Average head retention & above average lacing

S: Whisper of citric & leafy hops

T: Herbal & citric hops with breadyness up front. Leafy hops & some crackery notes as this warms. Finishes crisp with lemony hops & slight grainyness

MF: Medium bodied, with alright balance& low carbonation, more hops & or malt please.

Drinks pretty good, just a little too dumbed down to recommend heartily. Would certainly do in a pinch

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2007 23:44:29 | More by russpowell

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.65/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light golden brown color with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of caramelized malts, a good amount of grassy hops and some citrus.

T: The taste is decently balanced with a burst of hops up front that is quickly followed by the sweetness of caramel and citrus, also a touch of smokiness. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean and dry.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, I was a bit skeptical toward this beer but was pleasantly surprised to find that it is a pretty solid beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2009 01:42:23 | More by TheManiacalOne

Halcyondays

California

2.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a medium amber, with a nice finger of white head, some lace.

S: Light piney hops, some malt.

T: Much sweeter than expected, nice caramel notes, light earthy finish from the hops. Taste seems watered down though, it's not vibrant.

M: Light-bodied for the style. Really weird finish, it gets really thin and ends with a big burst of carbonation, not fun.

D: This is on the lower end of the spectrum for pale ales, there's really nothing to recommend it except for the fact that it's cheap.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2009 16:49:55 | More by Halcyondays

jwc215

New Jersey

2.73/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. twist-off capped bottle, "born on 18 Oct 07":

Pours golden with a thin white head that slowly fades away.

The smell is of lightly fruity, floral notes. A touch of sour and bready yeast come through.

The taste is floral and herbal - lightly fruity with hay-like and grainy/grassy notes. Odd for a Pale Ale - English or American - but, not surprizing because they used all German hops - Doesn't fit style and out-of-style doesn't hit the mark because it is so restrained and bland. Sweetish, abrupt finish.

Light-bodied, a touch fizzy. Crisp.

This misses the mark. Not undrinkable, but having one left me looking for something more. Subdued and out-of-whack for the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2007 15:33:18 | More by jwc215

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance is a pale copper with a nice sized off white head leaes sporadic specks of lacing all around my chalice. Aroma has a very mild grassy citrus hop note for being dry hopped not nearly enough hops in the nose, a very safe hop profile especially when your not used to even presenting hops that are detectable in your beers. Flavor is a bit watery with mild biscuit malts that give off minimal sweetness and a very light hop presence mild citrus and light grassy tones coming my way some mild fruitiness and really light bitterness as well. Mouthfeel is lighter bodied with a moderate carbonation that doesn't really scream pale ale. Drinkability is decent some flavors not expected from an AB products like hops but overall a very weak pale that doesn't express what a true pale ale is all about.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2006 23:38:04 | More by WVbeergeek

Wasatch

Utah

3.53/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very nice clean/clear dark golden orange color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger creamy off-white head, with some sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, slight hop, with some citrus. The taste is malty, slight hoppyness, and slight citrus. Medium body, the finish is dry and slightly bitter. Drinkable, this surprised me quite a bit, not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2008 01:45:21 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

2.88/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a four-finger light cream head that slowly fades to a thin layer leaving a good lace. Clear amber color. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Hoppy nose. Flavor is almost a sweet honey then hoppy, with a dry finish and slight lingering hop bitterness. $1.75 for a 12oz bottle from Barb's Beer Emporium Concord, NH.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2008 23:22:09 | More by jdhilt

Jason

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz brown bottle with no "Born On Date" or real freshness date.

Crystal clear pale copper color with a bubbly white lace that does stick to the glass here and there. Faint citric zest and a little biscuity malt in the nose. More than enough crispness to go around, real smooth with a medium body. Hop bitterness showcases that slight "rough around the edges" tone which is slowly covered by a light citric oil and spice flavor. Clean and grainy with some dry bread and toasted biscuit. Ghost-like warmth from the alcohol has a barely noticeable fruity ester. Finishes dry with a lingering hop bitterness.

Decent, not your traditional English Pale Ale. Perhaps they were going for the trend in English brewing where American hops are all the rage?

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2008 00:51:49 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.33/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This brew came as a box of 20 variety pack, (only $14.99 @ BJs, not a bad deal) Comes with "born on dating" (nice) and says its
"all malt", which I guess means no adjuncts, another good thing. This is a confused brew, sorrt of a "cross dresser"" tastes more like a crisp German lager then an "American pale ale" Pours typical clear lightish amber, with a fine bubble, off white head, that leaves some slight lacing. Nose is citrusy, lemon/lime. More crisp lime and gin on the palate, grassy and refreshing. I like it as a pilsner, but as a pale ale, I dont buy it.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2006 03:31:17 | More by Billolick

Zorro

California

3.15/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Clear copper colored ale with a tall tan colored head. Got to be honest AB DOES usually do quite well with the looks of beers.

Smell is quite herbal but not malty or fruity. And that is about all, not a very complex scent.

Taste starts out mildly sweet and quite herbal; hop bitterness is quite strong in the finish. And that is about it, clean dry herbal ale.

Mouthfeel is good.

Decent drinkability this is a beer that is basically a dry hop soda, not bad, but could be more just by using a British Pale ale yeast instead of a super neutral yeast strain like the one used here. A good gateway beer but not a great Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2008 20:53:42 | More by Zorro

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.55/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Murky copper color, a little bit of off white head to it. Aroma does in fact reveal hops! An AB first!

Taste, obvious Cascade hops, an enjoyable level of complimentary bitterness typical from this hop. Wow. Good job guys. Slick crystal and caramel malt, doesn't seem like they cut any corners, this is a 100% barley malt beer. Mild fruity sweetness.

Might not be the most traditional english pale ale, but here in the states, it should play well, but its kind of in that purgatory of seeming expensive to BMC types, and being owned as a BMC, a turnoff to beer nerds. I would recommend it to one who likes beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 15:56:50 | More by Beerandraiderfan

DoubleJ

California

3.13/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Another beer in the Michelob family, in an attempt to attract beer geeks and folks who are interested in something more interesting than light beer. On to the beer:

Clean body with a bunch of carbonation bubbles racing to the top, paleish orange color. Good looking head, it's holding up pretty well so far. Quite clean to the nose, faint buttery and citric notes. To taste....like an English/American mix. The buttery diacetyl is pleasant, with a sharp, but low flavored bitterness. Slight hop leaf note, and dull pine. Good mouthfeel...lightly carbonated, somewhat creamy. Diacteyl sticks to the palate in the aftertaste.

The bitterness is good, but provides little flavor. Stick with the porter or dunkelweiss is you're looking for a Michelob craft offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2009 06:46:28 | More by DoubleJ

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a medium orange with some ferric oxide highlights, lightly dull overall with a fair clarity. The head was a bit soapy and washy, dirty white in color and short in retention failing to lace. Visible carbonation was medium-strong and fairly rapid in rise. A washy head and lack of lacing earns this just average regards.

S: Dried oranges were the most dominant on the start. When agitated dried lemon peels and straw come out, but were still very light and reserved per style and seem more suited and fitted at not offending their macro-audience. Maybe they don't know about the secret "triple hops brewed" process or the brewer just fell asleep or forgot about the late hop addition for aromatic purposes, or maybe they just skimped out intentionally.

T: Thankfully there is some redemption with the flavor after a rather slow start. Dry toasted grains were highlighted by some bitterness believe it or not of dry flowery citrus with some grain sweetness to balance things out a bit. There was a bit of powdery malt presence, almost like residual dme left over in the process. Overall per style, moderately hopped, per brewery fairly decent considering past attempts, with a good show of bitterness and malty residuals trying to make a statement, though may fall short by the more discriminating craft palate.

M: Slight crispness, dry toasted and powdery malt feel on the tongue with some warming citrus. Medium bodied with a lemony malt finish and fade.

D: Decent drinkability, would I go out and buy again, no, would it suffice when at a sponsored owned venue such as a ballpark or stadium where no other but A-B products were sold...probably. While I wouldn't drink the hell out of it, I would drink enough to quench my thirst for beer.

End Musings: A fair attempt at expanding their styles and horizon, but they still seem to be like most BMC's (Big Macro Consortiums) and want to play it a bit adventures but a bit safe at the same time with their product falling somewhere in that purgatory of craft drinkers and macro drinkers. All in all some may automatically dismiss this by name (brewery)or by fear of being ostracized by the craft beer drinking community but there are lesser examples from craft breweries. Worthy a single purchase to get your macro drinking friends to try something that resembles something other then a American adjunct. It's a start in a different direction and an overall moderate attempt.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 22:51:54 | More by beerthulhu

plaid75

New York

3.43/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a medium copper hue with a one finger pillowy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a mild citrus hop and a mild floral hop. Light honey sweetness as well.

The taste was mildly fruity with a mild wildflower honey sweetness. Decent doughy malt as well.

The mouthfeel was average.

Overall a tasty beer. Not you typical APA however, as it needs a stronger hop profile. Very drinkable nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2006 03:55:00 | More by plaid75

Brad007

Vermont

3.65/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light copper color with ample carbonation and a thin, one-finger head. Seems normal here.

Aroma is lightly hoppy with a light hint of biscuit malt and some sweetness on the nose. If this is supposed to be dry-hopped, I cannot tell as dry hopping usually affects the aroma the most.

Taste starts out with light hop bitterness and then fades, becoming dominated by the biscuit malt. So far, so good.

Mouthfeel is a light bitterness followed by an emphasis on the biscuit malt. Seems kind of thin at first but is just passable enough for the style. No weird off-flavors or anything.

I would say that this is a decent pale ale that would be a good introduction to the style for someone who is accustomed to lagers. Not as bitter and has a good focus on the malt. Seems to fail on the dry-hopping part but otherwise, worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2008 03:08:37 | More by Brad007

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a mug. Color was a clear amber orange. A nice layer of head, but it fades down quickly, leaving little lacing.

Well the smell definitely is of floral hops. Not to many malts going on. A low level of pale malts. Taste is of grassy hops, a lot more than I expected.

Carbonation level is pretty good, leaving the mouthfeel a little bitter and dry, but overall not to bad.

Overall this is a decent beer for the price. Nothing too amazing for a pale ale, but at a buck a bottle what would you expect.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2008 08:13:05 | More by mothman