Extra Pale Ale - Flying Fish Brewing Company

garuda

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A - Gold, clear, white head has some retention and lacing.

S/T/M - Light herbal hops on the nose, taste has cereal grain sweetness with some herbal, lemon hops. Strange sweetness as it warms, though, with some bubblegum (?) Light/medium body, medium carbonation level stays smooth across the palate, finishing mostly clean.

O - Average, a little bland, some off-flavor sweetness. I had one, that's good enough for me.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2013 17:11:11 | More by garuda

claspada

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a slightly hazy, dull golden-hued color with a scant, white head that recedes to leave not much of anything.

Aromas begin with some crackery, lightly toasted white breadiness with some light emerging citrus, grassy and spicy hops. I cannot tell any of the varieties as they hop presence is quite faint.

The tastes begin with the same pale bready maltiness with some slight caramel sweetness. Moderate fruity hops, mostly green fruits like pear and apple with some spicy and floral hops adding a medium-to-low amount of bitterness.

The mouthfeel is medium-light bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is has a gentle bitterness with a clean pale malt flavor.

Overall you could do a lot worse for a sessionable pale ale but also a lot better as well. Nothing strikingly off here but not a complex enough flavor profile to make me want to purchase this in a 6-pack form outside of the bar where I found this among the macro-swill.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2013 15:12:27 | More by claspada

mdfb79

New York

3.29/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

From 03/09/13 notes. Had on tap at BIggie's in Hoboken, NY. 16 oz. pint glass.

a - Pours a somehwhat clear golden-orange color with two inches of bright white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of pale malts, light lemon, and citrus hops, and some bready malts. Not bad but pretty bland nose; not much too it.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, lemon, fruity malts, floral hops, bready malts, pale and toasted malts. A little more citrus and more going on than the nose; a slight step up.

m - Light to medium body and moderate carbonation. Pretty easy to drink beer.

o - Overall a pretty average APA. Nose doesn't have much going on, though the taste is a little bit better. An easy to drink lighter pale ale; better alternative than the BMC beers but nothing very special.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 15:46:56 | More by mdfb79

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at a seafood place in NJ. Clear dark yellow with a small white head.

Smell is basic pale hops, bready, light citrus, some pine, cut grass.

Taste is a mix of pine and citrus both on subdued levels..Well balanced pale ale. Herbal hop qualities shine.

Light body, went well with dinner.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2012 17:49:23 | More by TheMultiYeast

AlfaMale

Virginia

2.8/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Almost looks like a wheat beer, but the bubbles just keep on coming even though the head dissipates quickly. A bit sweet with very weak hop flavor and a bitter aftertaste. It almost reminds me of a Rolling Rock by taste. I'd be hard pressed to classify this as and ale by taste.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2012 23:11:57 | More by AlfaMale

MONKandTUCK

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on draught at Hathaway's Diner on Rt 130.

A - It shares a striking semblance with BMC standard fare. It has a slightly darker hue, due to lack of adjuncts and more malt body, and it's not quite as effervescent. This was poured into a tall sexy glass. I felt class drinking from it... even though I was in a diner in Jersey. With a bold continuous head it would get perfect marks for appearance. I wonder if suds aren't to blame.

S - There was lots of malt and some uninspiring hops. The aroma wasn't wonderful, like in an IPA or RIS. However it was pronounced enough to suggest the beer has character. It certainly wasn't unpleasant.

T - Lots of pale malt, a little sweet and some crackery dryness. This is a pretty basic beer, but not grainy or trying like a Pilsner. The hops were also more restrained than in a normal Pale Ale, but the bitterness distinguished this as a craft ale. The flavor was subdued, but again enough to add to the taste of the beer. Some citrusy notes, but a PtE clone it is not.

M - Comparable to a Yuengling: more body than a Pilsner but more restrained than your favorite Okotberfest. Just enough to be a session beer: neither grainy and unbearable, not heavy and taxing. Really refreshing, but also satisfying.

O - This is a true Missionary beer. For the BMC drinkers who thing Yuengling and Sam Adams are specialty beers, and that anything craft if "heavy" or "hoppy", this beer really opens up the world of possibilities.

If you're looking for a Pliny the Elder or 90 minute IPA in the form of something that you can pound back all night keep walking. However, if you're mature enough to appreciate a beer for drinkability and refinement, here's a go-to ale.

Could improvements be made? Sure, some more interesting malts and hallmark American hop varietals would boost this beer to another level. But it's already doing quite well.

Really, I think this beer should be considered a Blonde Ale so the Craft Beer community would examine it in a different light.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2011 01:57:02 | More by MONKandTUCK

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

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

On-tap, served in a pint

A copper colored body with just a touch of haze and a frothy, off-white cap that sat a good two fingers. Good retention and some spider web lacing.

The nose is mostly hoppy (grapefruit and lemons), with a sweet cereal-like graininess on the back end. Pretty simple.

The hops are sharp and biting and really cut through the malty sweetness. Grapefruit, lemons, oranges and a grassy/earthy flavor from the hops while the malts lend a lightly sweet caramel.

Light bodied, crisp, dry and lightly bitter in the finish.

Overall, this is a nice example of the style. There aren't too many extra pale ales out there and this hit the spot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2011 17:58:42 | More by ColForbinBC

DrewSnyc667

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Citizens Bank Park, pretty decent selection there

A - Tawny copper, very bright, small head with little retention. Not a whole lot of lacing either

S - Sweet and spicy, hop present upfront, sweet sugary malts balance the nose

T - Sweet and refreshing. Has a nice hoppy finish but not overly done like other american pale ales, very very balanced

M - A Tad sweet and sticky, especially if you out in the sun, leaves a bit to much aftertaste on the tongue

O - A nice balanced pale ale, certainly something I'd get again

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2011 13:51:14 | More by DrewSnyc667

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On draft last night at Citizens Bank Park. Poured into a plastic pint cup...

A - Pours a pale, golden-yellow color with about .5 fingers worth of eggshell white head. Pretty visible carbonation.

S - Grains, some citrus. Nice hops, but nothing to write home about. Solid malt backbone.

T - Malts, some herbal, grassy flavors as well that come across earthy. Finishes slightly dry.

M - Nice and light. Slightly prickly mouthfeel from the carbonation. Pretty refreshing on a hot night at the ballpark.

O - Good, not great. Nice for a hot summer's night.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2011 17:24:07 | More by KAP1356

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clean yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, gingerbread like malt and a small pine hop. In the taste, small pine hops balanced with some dry gingerbread like malt. A small hop bite and medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry hint of gingerbread like malt in the aftertaste. Nice small hop bite and kind of feels English, just about average.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2011 15:09:09 | More by OWSLEY069

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Tuscan Tavern, Blackwood, NJ

Good stuff. Nothing extraordinary, and certainly not the best thing FF has to offer, but offers an easily drinkable, light hoppy taste. Special respect as it's the first craft beer I remember having.

Pours golden-yellow, slightly hazy with a nice white head that doesn't stay around too long. Grainy aroma, and similar taste with a good balance of hops and malts, a little bready. Crisp and refreshing, easily drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2011 21:12:49 | More by Rifugium

JohnFatAss

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this one on tap at the local bar.

Medium bodied, has a hazey straw color.

The taste is good. Very well balanced, the malts come through, noticed a little hops.
Nothing offensive, but nothing that makes this stand out.

More distinctive than your macros, so not a bad choice to have when you feel like something a little bit different.

Seemed a bit stronger than the 4.7% ABV suggests.

Overall, a good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2011 13:50:42 | More by JohnFatAss

HURTemHIZZY

Virginia

3/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Had on tap at citizen's bank park. Pours a clear pale yellow with a one finger pure white medium density head that has ok retention and leaves ok lacing. Smells of some grassy hops, a bit of citrus, and some pale malt. Not bad, a little faint, though.

Taste is very subdued. Faint hoppy citrus, pale malt, bready, dry aftertaste, with no lingering flavor or bitterness. A tiny bit of caramel malt, but not enough to give it any real character. Really disappointing. Nice light, prickly mouthfeel make it a nice beer for a hot day, but not nearly a big or flavorful enough hop profile, and the pal malt is a bit on the thin side.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2010 16:47:58 | More by HURTemHIZZY

donniecuffs

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev +6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured amber into an American pint glass, with very little head, but surprisingly good visible carbonation and lacing. Herbal, grassy, and modestly bitter notes dominate the nose. The taste began on a modest malty note, evolved to a more herbal, grassy, hay note, and then finished on a subtle bitter dry note. A little thin, and generously carbonated. Decent session pale ale; not a bad beer, but not a stand out specimen either.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2010 21:09:17 | More by donniecuffs

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.15/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean, golden orange color with adequate white head, minimal retention. Smell is bland, somewhat musty, earthy grain and hops with the faintest hints of citrus. Taste does not impress, a white bread and a musty and earthy hop taste, the faint hints of citrus are back, but only confuse the palate. Medium bodied, undercarbonated for the style. First time i had this i thought it was a bad beer line, the bottled and a revisit to draft elsewhere confirmed its lack of anything special.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2010 13:15:59 | More by rfgetz

magine

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at the Phillies game.

Has a light orange color - light white head. No head, no lace to speak of.

Has a slight hop smell - some citrus.

Taste is very weak and thin - not very bitter, not very hoppy, nothing stands out.

The brew is drinkable, but with so many other better APA's out there why bother. One of the weaker brews I have had from Flying Fish. Very average.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2009 01:53:43 | More by magine

njthebestofme

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

it was a nice dark amber with a nice thick head that lasted for a bit which i was pleased with.. smelled great with hops bursting in your nose.. mouth felt smooth and after taste was great very hoppy..only thing was i got it at applebees with a frozzen glass which made a little beer slushie for about 10min.. overall a great beer

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2009 15:17:08 | More by njthebestofme

maddogruss

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Got a pint of this at the Cloverleaf Tavern.

A: Pours an amber body with a small, white head with an ok retention and nice lacing along the sides of the glass through the finish. Definitely a nice beer.

S: A sweet, malt smell with some sugar and honey undertones.

T: A sweet malt and honey taste with a nice, honey aftertaste. Reminded me of the characteristics of an EPA instead of an APA. I did not really notice and hop bitterness.

M: A slightly overcarbonated beer, but still fairly full-bodied. Decent beer overall.

D: A nice combo of mouthfeel and taste makes this beer very formidable. An excellent beer to enjoy a session with or to order a keg of and hang out with some friends. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2008 14:36:24 | More by maddogruss

erosier

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +26.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

L: Pours a darker amber color with a short and medium bodied tan colored head that takes some time to settle. It laces the glass pretty nicely all the way down.
S: It smells of sweet malts, some citrisy hops, and a twang of fruitiness in the nose.
T: Tastes of very sweet malts followed by a slight fruity flavor and finished off with alot of citrisy hop bitterness.
M: Very refreshing and fresh tasting.
D: Very good beer and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2008 20:04:35 | More by erosier

kenito799

New York

3.98/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Citizen's Bank Park, Phillie-Mets game.

Really nice to have local craft brews at the ballpark! Shea ( and future Citifield) and Yankee Stadium, please take note!

This yellow brew with a small head (lacing can't be examined in this plastic cup) delivers a crisp, clean malty scent. The soft malt on the palate finishes with light hoppy bitterness, very balanced and drinkable. This would be a great go-to beer here on a sweltering Philly day...not so appropriate for the wind-blasted upper deck on a chilly April night, but a nice find. Go Mets!

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2008 14:12:26 | More by kenito799

andrewt960

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Poured out of a tap, a nice golden hue, with an orange haze... head was nice and white, with moderate bubbles.
S- Smelled very nice, not overly hoppy, and was slightly fruity...
T- Was a nice hoppy finish, and tasted very smooth. Had a nice carbonated feel. Maltlyness was there but the crispness of the hops melded ever so perfectly.
D- Very drinkable, very refreshing and would like to try it out of a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2008 00:10:41 | More by andrewt960

marcpal

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Served on tap into pint glass.

A: Golden pale color with small head and minor lacing.

S: Not much here, malts and grains but pretty straight forward ale.

T: Grains and malts but there is some hops here which I think added some taste to this light, drinkable beer. Sweet in the background but not awful.

M: Thin and extremely light.

D: Good session beer, serves its purpose. Not the most exciting of beers, but not objectionable either.

Not the most exciting beer, but is has the sessionability and serves well for a day full of watching football, as it did.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2008 15:37:50 | More by marcpal

Lupe

New York

3.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Color is pale, light-amber with a thin white head disappears quickly, and leaves behind no lace.

Soft aroma of sweet malt, light fruit, and faint hops.

Light malty flavor - bread and fruit. Some melon and berry. Light hops add a touch of spice. Flavor fades quickly.

Light to medium in body, soft and fairly crisp. Easy to drink, but kind of boring. Very average.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2007 00:02:41 | More by Lupe

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

2.03/5  rDev -39%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Flying Fish- Extra Pale Ale

Appearance- hazy yellow with a moderate thick soapy white head.
Smell- Very light grassy musty hay. Light malt.
Taste- Musty hay/ straw with malt and an earthy hop flavor.
Mouthfeel- Light basically watery. little flavor. Slighty sweet but not much else going on.

Overall- Once again this is a huge disappointment. Very weak very watery. Not horrible but bland and boring. Avoid!

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2006 02:47:25 | More by NJpadreFan

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I had this in a plastic cup at a Phillies game.

This beer came a bright gold with some slight brown and orange highlights. The head was a thin film of even white bubbles that was sustained for some time. The outdoor lighting really helped this one look great.

Smelled of honey and bread dough with a dirty, corny yeast. There was also a bit of sweet oranges that were blended into a musky, dry hop.

Tasted of dry doughy paste with a chalky yeast and a light grapefruit zest in the finish.

The mouth feel was light and sticky that really didn’t work all that well with the flavor.

My original thought was that Citizen’s Bank Park doesn’t keep their lines all that clean. This one’s probably better than how it was served to me.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2006 18:01:58 | More by DarkerTheBetter