Alpine Ale - Alpine Beer Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A good drinking beer, sessionable and moderately hoppy.
Looks-unfiltered dark yellow, with a lsting one-eighth of an inch of white head, very lacey.
Aroma-a little hoppy, a little funky.
Carbonation is right here. A tad toasty an citrus, but short of the citrus of Great Lakes Burning River, the benchmark for me for ehe style.
Thanks Steven Rich for bringing back from the Brewers' conference.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 01:56:10 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.22/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Shimmering harvest gold with a dash of juicy orange. A few steady streams of bubbles make their way though a sparse cloud of fine particulates to join the wonderful looking alabaster head... that is one of the thickest, creamiest and stickiest that I've seen on an APA in quite some time. An impressive array of lace makes the score an easy call.

There are few things in this world as deliciously aromatic as Cascade and Centennial hops when utilized by talented brewers. Kudos to Alpine for giving this ale a tremendously bright, tremendously hoppy nose that is full to bursting with sweet, snappy citrus zest.

The flavor is excellent as well, even if it commits two (minor, borderline nitpicky) sins. First of all, there's a tad too much caramel malt flavor for me. I like APAs that use nothing but pale malt so that the glory of the hops can be displayed to maximum effect. Second, there isn't quite enough resiny hoppiness. Yes, I'm well aware that this beer isn't meant to be to be an IPA.

As far as the brewery's claim of balance, I'd say that they're correct in that assertion. It might favor hops a bit, but that's all to the better. Sweet grapefruit and orange are the dominant hop-derived flavors with a trace amount of resiny pine noted on the finish. This is a hophead's session beer if I've tasted one.

The body/mouthfeel is medium to slightly more full for the style thanks to the rounded edges smoothness of the malt. While it doesn't quite reach IPA territory, it is bigger than the average pale ale. An understated amount of carbonation keeps things moving along without making a nuisance of itself.

I can't believe it took me this long to drink another Alpine beer after tasting the magnificence that is Pure Hoppiness. Alpine Ale is disappearing shockingly quickly and is one of the more compulsively drinkable APAs in recent memory. Even though the taste scores are identical, I do believe I prefer this beer to Stone Pale Ale and to AleSmith X (among the San Diego County contingent). High praise indeed.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2006 14:54:17 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks for the cool extra in the recent math bif. another alpine i had never had an was thrilled to be able to knock off the list. served cold and poured into two pint glasses, this one was consumed on 09/11/2010.

really nice pour with a bright golden body and a really nice head of white that reaches about two fingers up the glass before settling back down and producing a light amount of lace on the side of the glass.

aroma is sweet up front with light touches of floral hops that seem to be muted, with only a light citrus touch that comes to the surface. flavor mirrors this as well as the sweet malty base seems to dominate and even provide a bit of a light fruit touch to an otherwise nominal flavor. light dry finish with a touch of bitterness.

overall it was ok, but really was not terribly crazy about this one. i have had much better from alpine.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2010 16:19:41 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Alpine Ale pours a clear, light golden color with a thin white foam.

S: The aroma is citrus hops and sweet, bready malt. I was expecting a bit more from an Alpine beer, but it's alright.

T: The taste is quite balanced. The beer has nice citrus and pine hop components, and a sweet malt character that takes over dominates most of the sip. The finish is crisp and bitter.

M: The body is medium and there is a moderate level of carbonation. Definitely fitting for the beer.

D: This is pretty much what I expect from a pale ale. A nice malt component and some hops to balance things out without being overly bitter. A solid beer, but it's a bit pricey for an APA bomber.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2009 07:16:30 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a hazy orange with a nice head. Aroma was of citrus hops and a bit of pale malt. The taste was quite similar, with citrus hops as well as generic citrus flavor. Moderate mouthfeel with good carbonation. All around, a very drinkable and very, very well-made pale ale. When it comes to Alpine and hops, I'd expect nothing less.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2010 22:32:02 | More by Thorpe429

UCLABrewN84

California

1.3/5  rDev -64.4%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

Pours a super clear pale orange color with a small 1 inch white head that fades to a small cap. Spotty ring lacing on the drink down. Smell is of herbal hops and dirty socks. I think there is something seriously wrong with this bottle. Taste is of bitter herbal hops and a musty funky nastiness. Beyond awful. Surprisingly well carbonated with a crisp and clean feel. Ok, there has to be something very very wrong with this particular bottle. I had my wife confirm to make sure my nose/palate weren't off. First thing she said: "Smells like dirty gym socks". Disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 05:53:34 | More by UCLABrewN84

Halcyondays

California

3.6/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bomber, suprised to see this show up in Orange County at Hi-Times,

A: Pours goldenrod/very light amber, with a solid white head and some nice lacing into an Imperial Pint glass.

S: To be honest, I'm not getting much, some faint hop notes, but challenged in this aspect.

T: The flavour comes back to redeem the beer. Nice complex malt notes, with a moderate West Coast hopping. Sweet pine, and some orange and lemon. Very similar to SNPA for my palate, good flavours.

M: Medium-bodied, soft carbonation, very smooth.

D: A pretty standard pale ale here, but a good one. Any fan of the classic APA will enjoy this beer IMO.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2009 19:12:45 | More by Halcyondays

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 04/22/11 notes. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

a - Pours a very transparent golden yellow color with one finger of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of citrus hops, fruity malts, and pine hops. More hops than I was expecting.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, fruity malts, caramel malts, pine hops.

m - Medium body and low to moderate carbonation.

o - Overall a very nice APA, with a lot of hops. Would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2011 02:12:04 | More by mdfb79

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to hopdog for sharing this...
Appears a light gold with a small white head and scattered lacing. Tiny carbonation and white lacing and a small collar.
Smell is of light citrusy hops with mixed malts. Not a whole lot jumping out.
Taste is about the same impact of the aroma. Some light citrus and grassy hops and a light malt backbone that seems to balance it out but doesn't really bring it into an upper echelon.
Mouthfeel is balanced but grainy. Medium bodied brew which I'm trying to analyze too much and not getting much inspiration.
Drinkability is ok. I probably wouldn't run to this one again. Maybe it's just me but this seemed very average, even for an American Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2005 21:07:54 | More by weeare138

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Crystal clear copper. Thin, bubbly dirty white head. Not much for retention, but lace is left behind in moderate amounts. Really nice bright citric tones on the nose. Like grapefruit and lemon. And a little caramel underneath it as well. This is a nice tasting APA. Nicely balanced and highly drinkable. The caramel malts provide a nice little base for the hops to work. Hops are fairly bright in their presence. Citrus and grapefruit come to mind. Lemon rind and cracked black pepper. A nice subdued bitterness lingers. Mouthfeel is crisp and lively. Medium body. This one reminds me of the SNPA, which is not a bad thing. I believe this would pair nicely with grilled salmon steaks with olive oil and coarsely cracked pepper. Or crab cakes. Or chicken quesadillas. Or...

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2007 03:20:20 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Draft at the brewpub.

Pours a clear golden yellow color with a 1.5 finger white foam head. Good retention, slow fading into a lasting ring.  Soapy lacing costs the glass.

Light floral hop aroma with subtle citrus and sweet malt.  Kind of average with delicate hops and biscuity malt.

Medium bodied with a nice balance of fresh spicy hops and pale malts. Delicate floral hops with hints of biscuit, bread and graham cracker.  Nothing extraordinary but it's a good sessionable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 20:37:59 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours out looking like a pale ale, mild to average color yellow, 3/5" head on the top, white in color, average retention, average, somewhat inconsistent lace on it.

The aroma is minimally hoppy, if you're looking for the hop bomb aromas that many of their ipa's have, you're going to be a little bit disappointed. It still smells nice, but its really a background smell that shares its place with a grainy aroma that is clean, not heavy.

Same with the taste, clean, not heavy, mildly hoppy, probably appropriate for style, but about the most minimalistic pale ale for Alpine. Comes out a little more English style-esque with the breadiness of the malts, almost a Sorachi ace like lemonness. You start to pick up on a little too much toffee and caramel to a lesser extent, making the minor hop vibe fade away a little too early.

Its a little expensive to pay around $6 for a bomber of this.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 18:00:23 | More by Beerandraiderfan

DoubleJ

California

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

All this typing has made my thirsty. And with the additional typing that I will do for this review, I am sure that it will make the beer even more refreshing. 22 ounce bottle bought at Holday Wine Cellar, on to the beer:

A pale, washed out orange in color that is translucent and bubbly in the bosy. The head is rich (an inch thick) and letting the lace fly. Nose is subtle. It has the good and a little that could be dropped from the arsenal; honey biscuit malt, notes of orange, also a veggie note that hits a wrong chord.

While the overall flavor is relatively light, the beer is refreshing and easy to drink. First comes a gentle wave of clean pine. Out from the base comes that honey biscuit malt to sweeten the bill. With the success Alpine has with their IPA's, one would expect a more juicy, tasty hop bill, but in Alpine Ale it never comes. Feels light bodied and quite clean in the mouth with refreshing carbonation.

It won't make Alpine famous, but it will quench any thirst for those who want something that's light by San Diego standards.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 04:50:38 | More by DoubleJ

glid02

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at Blue Palms in Hollywood, CA.

Pours a clear bronze color with a one-finger white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving light lacing.

Smells of pale malts with a slight bready quality and light citrus hops.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Bready pale malt flavors up front are joined midway through the sip by light grapefruit flavors. The ending has a solid bitterness.

Mouthfeel is good. It's a bit on the thin side with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall this is a good APA but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2009 01:19:03 | More by glid02

Gusler

Arizona

4.13/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Draught @ Alpine Brewery and O’Brien’s San Diego
The beer appears a golden amber color with the head small to moderate in size, the consistency creamy with the lace forming a nice curtain to conceal the glass. Nose has a brisk citrus like crispness with a pleasing light hop floral tone, start is sweet and pleasantly malt laden, top is middling in feel. Finis has a purposeful acidity, the hops upfront and spicy, the aftertaste dry and a fine drinking beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2004 20:51:50 | More by Gusler

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The label admonished me to "Drink Alpine Ale or Go to Bed!"

I got two-plus fingers of French Vanilla-colored head with good retention when poured into a Sam Adams Boston Lager glass. Color was a deep golden-yellow, not quite amber, with NE-quality clarity. Nose was both citrusy and slightly sweet at once. Mouthfeel was medium with a Goldilocks-like taste - not too bitter, not too sweet, just right, at least according to the label. I am less of an APA drinker than I am an IPA fan, but there was nothing wrong with this beer, per se. It was just a bit too mild for my taste. Finish continued the now-epic battle between sweet and bitter. It was too early to go to bed.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2010 14:56:14 | More by woodychandler

HopHead84

California

3.45/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

11/26/10

Thanks Arthur.

A: Dark golden orange with a small head.

S: Hop bouquet is reminiscent of noble hops, almost German pilsner-like. Notes of lemon and fresh cut grass are apparent. Some floral aromatics. Not a typical pale ale. Light caramel.

T: Flavor also has pilsner characteristics, with lemon and earth. Caramel malt is light. There's a hint of pepper-like spiciness. Bitterness is low, but there isn't much sweetness either. Not much fruit, maybe a little orange.

M: Dry, crisp, clean. Lower medium body with moderate carbonation.

Overall: An oddity for this brewery. Not bad, but an atypical pale ale that is destroyed by hoppy birthday (same category) and put to shame by their other fine hoppy offerings. Anyway, thanks for the opportunity, friend...reminds me more of a German Pils than a Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 08:50:43 | More by HopHead84

kojevergas

California

4.15/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

22 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a Uinta pilsner glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Purchased at Alpine Brewery a few days ago. Reviewed live. Expectations are high; I'm loving Alpine more and more.

Served after a period of rest once removed from the refrigerator. Poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Paired with hard pretzels.

A: Pours a four finger head of smooth rolling foam, nice cream, great thickness, and great retention. Good lacing. Colour is a clear vibrant yellow. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Pale malts, caramel, munich malts, background floral hopping, hints of yeast, and full barley. An average strength aroma.

T: Clean pale and munich malts. Full bodied barley. Some underlying cream. I like the creamy finish. Straw. It's quite nicely balanced, albeit simple. True to its label, it's not too sweet or too bitter. Clean, fresh, and refreshing. It's indeed a solid everyday beer, with more complexity than you'd expect from a beer in the style. I can't see anyone not liking this. Would be a great introduction to beer for anyone who claims not to like it. This is about as palatable as a beer can get. Naturally, it's neither complex nor subtle - but the mastery is in the balance. Surprisingly well layered for a Pale Ale. I'm impressed. Still, it's not fantastic. No yeast or alcohol comes through. It's not pushing any boundaries, but what it does, it does very well.

Mf: Light, lively, wet, and smooth. Suits the flavours very well. Clean and refreshing. Perfect thickness. Angelically soft. Ideal for the style. Lightly buttery. Creamy on the end of the third act and in the finish - which I love.

Dr: Incredibly drinkable and enjoyable. I like it more and more the more I drink. It's practically perfect for the style. Rarely does such simplicity yield such good results. Alpine didn't get showy with it; there's a ballsiness to sticking to basics. I'd definitely get this again, ideally on draft. There's nothing new here, but it's just so damn good within the style. Anyone would love this beer. I can't think of a better Pale Ale.

High A-

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 06:02:35 | More by kojevergas

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours amber with a very nice head that sticks around aas aa cap and leaves some spotty lacing. Smells grainy, and perhaps even a bit soapy, but relatively clean otherwise with light citrusy hops and a bit of light breadiness. Definitely on the maltier side, but quite dry and a bit grainy as far as the taste goes. The hops taste earthier than they smelled and there is a small amount of lingering bitterness that cuts through the biscuity malt a bit. Fairly tasty, and quite dry while maintaining a bit of juiciness. Smooth and dry in the mouth with the slightest hint of graininess coming through. Very tasty and quite a nice session beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2008 00:54:03 | More by Georgiabeer

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Big chill hazed hue of pale gold with a moderate capping of sticky white froth. Great lacing all over the place with thickly set cob webbing sheets.

Aroma is set in a simple balanced tone of toasted citrus. One part orange peel, one part grapefruit peel, two and one half parts toasted grain, a dash of dry grass, a pinch of pine, and half part hop cone. Delightfully clean with a smidgeon of resin always underneath the main recipe.

Taste is quite nice. First thing to notice is it'll make for one fantastic drinkin' pale. Supurb balance of hops and toasted malt all throughout each sip and/or gulp. Flavors aren't overly intense but definately encourageable within the style of an APA. Great perks of citric toned hops bring in a slight parching front of grapefruit. Quickly balanced by one finely set toasty backing of malts and firmly fluffy grainyness. Clean styled bitterness with a wonderful light drying toasty edge and grassy spice ends the fun after each sip and/or gulp for a long, long stay on the palate and memory.

Feel is wonderfully clean and balanced within a solid medium body, if not more. Finishes with fluff and toasty parched citric hops and grasses that never leave the palate. Bitterness is pleasantly easy but always there within its own balance and respectful tone.

Drinkability is bar none, awesome! So clean and balanced with the perfect bitterness and tones to its character. Wow, this stuff is the shit. I absolutely loved this beer. I could drink it all day. Alpine rocks dudes! One of the best Pales I've had. Yum! Seek and drink!

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2005 02:44:23 | More by tavernjef

mactrail

California

2.94/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Pours a regular amber color with a sub-par head in the Duvel tulip. Spritzy enough on the tongue. Light bodied with a slightly soapy mouthfeel.

Some flavors of dark biscuits and an aroma of those cheap creme sandwich cookies. A fragrant hint of malt followed by some hoppy bitterness. Flavor just flattens out. Bitter aftertaste without much else.

It's hard to find much fault with this, but overall it's a plain and not very pleasing quaff. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Bine & Vine on Adams Ave.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 04:39:29 | More by mactrail

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks goes out to whitebricke for sending me this one as an extra in a past trade! Wow, he actually supplied all of the beers for my opening night tick-a-thon, thanks man! Third and final brew of my drinking session during the first night of my staying at my new place. After a little more than a growler to the face, this seemed like a good idea to call it quits. Served from bottle into a Bell's tulip. Poured yellow-orange with a one finger white head that subsided to half a finger slowly. Mainatined phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, floral, spices, grain, wheat, and nutmeg. The flavor was of sweet malt, floral, grain, wheat, grain hop, and nutmeg. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. The flavors on this one just didn't really 'pop' for me like I would have liked. Would have loved to have seen a little more of a citrus profile going on in this one, but you can't win them all. The aroma was surprisingly like a Saison, which I found odd as well. Still not too bad though, I just wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 17:48:02 | More by thagr81us

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.93/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer is clear and golden colored with an inch of pure white head that leaves a significant amount of sticky lacing on the glass. The aroma is malt forward, with a bit of hops and citrus. It actually smells like a lager. Good flavor, dominated by a slightly sweet malt bill. A light helping of bitter hops presents itself near the finish. Light bodied and pretty easy to drink. Overall, this was a decent beer, but nowhere near the quality of my favorite beers from Alpine. Light and refreshing with a nice, simple flavor. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 00:38:46 | More by Huhzubendah

largadeer

California

4.18/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Clear golden-amber with a dense layer of foam upon it. The torrent of rising carbonation is keeping the head going for longer than it's going to take me to finish this glass. A great looking beer for sure.

Smell: An even mix of zesty citrus hops and dry bready malts. Undertones of butterscotch or toffee. Clean and nicely balanced without being too one-dimensional.

Taste & mouthfeel: Semi-dry biscuit-like malts appear first, followed by a slight buttery slickness and finally fruity, oily hops (orange and lemon). Medium-bodied with a full flavor that doesn't linger on the palate too long. The finish is almost dry, but for a hint of caramel beneath the mild hop bitterness. This strikes me as an APA with an English influence.

Notes: Great stuff, this one exceeded my expectations.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2008 20:01:19 | More by largadeer

gford217

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Georgiabeer at the Brick Store.

Pours a light, clear golden with a decent white head.

The aroma is light with citrus and floral hop hints and a solid bready malt smell in the background. There are also some toasted grains in there as well.

The taste has the same lemony hop taste as the aroma suggested as well as the bready malts and toasted grains. Interestingly, the overall taste seemed almost buttery which was not what I was expecting.

The mouthfeel is crisp and clean and it's a very refreshing brew overall.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2009 17:55:42 | More by gford217