American Pale Ale - Bluegrass Brewing Co. - East St. Matthew's

SerialHiker

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -21%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75

Appearance: Pours a golden orange…there’s a light hazy that limits the transparency a touch but still allows me to see a couple bubbles in the center…very little head to speak of, only the thinnest layer covers the top…a very average looking brew, though I do like the hue…(3/5)

Smell: Dank, musky hops up front…very earthy and woodsy and dank…there’s a creamy bitterness that comes with all that hops…malts are also apparent, there’s a real pale, caramel side to the aroma…there’s a mushroom/yeast/wet foot thing happening here too…the dank/earthy tones have a bit of a bite to’em, bringing a chewiness to the overall smell…well balanced…(3.5/5)

Taste: Creamy dank/earthy hops balanced by caramel and pale malts…it’s very creamy…no doubt this is covered with English hops, I have a rich earthy/musky flavor all over my tongue…earthy and caramel malts try to balance things out, but come up short…this is a runaway train of English hops…(2.5/5)

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tons of carbonation…this thing fluffs into an enormous cloud bring dank and mild lemony bitterness to the palate…this is one of the more foamy beers I’ve ever experienced…dank bitterness lasts well into the after taste…(3.75/5)

Overall: This style of APA is not my favorite and therefore is hard for me to write a good review about…is it bad? No, but for me it borderlines on it…I’ve deduced that I don’t typically like English hops, so when I crack open a fresh, unknown brew and I get that distinguishable smell, I cringe…beer is hard to bad mouth, but seeing as I do a review blog, I’ll give an honest opinion…this is an average brew that brings tons of flavor but definitely draws a line in the sand between those that do like it and those that don’t…purchasing one of these on a whim is a dice roll…(2.75/5)

brewreport.blogspot.com

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 03:29:26 | More by SerialHiker

secondtooth

Indiana

3.2/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Caramel-amber in color, with a thick, frothy white-tan head. Too thick, in fact, as this one is massively overcarbonated. Lace spotty and erratic.

A sweet and hoppy aroma, with citrus freshness. Solid.

Taste is hoppy, with bitter grapefruit initially. Kick of bitterness at finish. Not bad at all, but overall pretty average and forgettable. Well-placed hoppy presence, but the balance seems a tad off.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 12:25:37 | More by secondtooth

sommersb

Tennessee

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tasted On: 07-23-2012
Freshness: Bottled 03-2012
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Tulip pint
Purchased: 6-pack from Midtown, Nashville

The first bottle from my 6-pack was a gusher, with tons of foam overflowing both my glass and the bottle. Thankfully the next couple of bottles did not do this.

Pours a hazy, dark copper colored beer, capped by a medium, off-white head. The head has a fair amount of retention and a nice lacing on the glasses sides.

Aromas are pretty much all hops -- citrus, grapefruits and pine, with a spicy note as well.

The taste follows suit, with a big hoppy bitterness. I get a low malt base too, but this beer is very hop forward. Tastes more like an IPA than an APA, at 55 IBUs.

Mouthfeel is crisp and highly carbonated, on a medium body. Finishes dry and quite bitter.

Overall a good pale ale, but I think it's a bit over the top in terms of bitterness to call this an APA. If you're into hoppy pale ales, though, this one is for you!

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 01:37:25 | More by sommersb

cagocubs

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked some BBC Beers up when I was in Louisville KY. Poured from a bottle into pint glass.

A: Copper with a mighty bone white foamed head that takes a good amount of time to recede. Laces where it can.

S: Hops, spice, earthy pine/flower, and malt.

T: Packed with hops and spicy character. A nice earthy taste with some malt action.

M: Everything I would expect out of an APA. Decent carbonation with good crisp flow.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 01:12:33 | More by cagocubs

Pauly2X

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Deep gold/light amber. Slight haze with some floaties and a decent half finger head with good staying power.

S- Mostly a citrus hop aroma with some piney notes as well. Quite strong overall with a little light caramell in the background.

T- The malt comes through much more than the aroma would suggest. Grainy with a solid caramel component as well. The hops play only a flavor role the first couple sips, but with each sip the bitterness compounds to further check the afforementioned malt sweetness. The beer maintains a fair hop balance through the semi-dry finish.

M- Medium body with solid carbonation.

O- A very nice solid APA. This would certainly stand out more if everybody and thier mom didn't make one. Worth checking out if you're in the area, and doubly worth checking out if you're a fan of the style as well.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 14:13:08 | More by Pauly2X

rapayn01

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a drinkable and fairly hoppy ale. It does not pour a significant head, but the copper color is very pleasant.

This is a local beer for me, which means I've also had it on tap many times. If you like hops and want a local brew in Kentucky, this is the beer for you.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 15:30:20 | More by rapayn01

giblet

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

had this draft while visiting KY. drew with about a half inch of head that settled to a light film. smells a mix of malt and hop. the taste was a bit disappointing. stronger malt than i expected. did not seem to match well with the hops. finished ok. good lacing down the glass.

ok for something different.

suckem up and movem out.

giblet

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2012 11:01:56 | More by giblet

chimneyswift

Indiana

2.68/5  rDev -27%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This beer seems to have taken on an objectionable bitterness recently. I do enjoy hoppy beers but this one seems unbalanced, and the bitterness lingers. There is also a major problem with the carbonation. Out of a recent case, more than half were "foamers". These must be opened over the sink and set aside until the eruption subsides. Even after the wait, pouring gently down the side of the glass produces 25% beer and 75% foam. Although I`ve enjoyed this beer for quite some time, and I`ve given it several "second chances", I will not buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 00:33:10 | More by chimneyswift

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle, bottled on sept. 2011

A: a very bold copper. slightly hazy. reddish, brown frothy head. good lacing. good retention. so far looking tasty.

S: a slightly fruity/spicy hop presence. a touch of black pepper. mild citrus.

T: pretty lackluster. some sweet malt. a little fruit. an unpleasant, stringent hop bitterness followed by a sort of chalky/earthy hop finish.

M: mild carbonation on a light/medium body.

D: certainly not the best APA i've had. not even worth seeking out with such steep competition among american pale ales. i would keep looking.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 00:55:52 | More by Jimmys

auroracrisis

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, bottled in August of 2011. Poured into a Goose Island nonic pint.

Rich caramel in color with a clean profile. Sporadic bubbles escape the body and keep the head on top. Head dissipates to a collar of foam once left to rest. Wimpy lacing as it is drank down.

Big biscuit malts and hearty pine cone. Savory bread like qualities behind the bitter hops similar to toast and rye bread. Another touch of sharp earthy hops behind that.

Opens up with piney hops then moves quickly into a buttery biscuit malt flavor. Behind that we have hints of rye and caramel, then hints of soggy grass. A touch of drying and more bitter hops finish the taste of the brew.

Medium body with low carbonation. A touch of drying once the beer is swallowed, and a bit sticky as well.

Rich pine notes for a pale ale with a savory malt character. The bittering almost makes the beer cross styles. A nice local offering, glad it's cheap and fresh around me.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 04:05:11 | More by auroracrisis

Preismj

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this on tap at a concert in Louisville KY.

a: poured a light brown with a nice half in head. Head was pretty solid white with little lacing

s: floral and a bit nutty as well...which was suprising to me. Thought I'd get more spice in the nose.

t: flowers came through again, and a roasted flavor of some kind. A bit of hoppiness on the end. Getting a metalic taste in here...iron. As it warms, the metal taste is getting stronger. Not sure if this is due to a bad batch, bad taps or a bad brew in general...though very unpleseant.

m: feel is good, a bit liquidy...nice carbonation though and very cool and refreshing in the mouth.

d: A bit put off by the metal taste. Assuming this is due to a bad batch or tap, I tried to separate that flavor out as best I could. If that wasn't there, I could drink a few of these and enjoy it. A very crisp brew and refreshing, though wish there was a bit more pop in the flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 16:57:43 | More by Preismj

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at one of the BBC locations in Louisville when visiting back in 2009 for the Kentucky Derby. Pours a hazy golden orange color with a fluffy ivory-colored head. The aroma has a good pine and citrus hoppiness with some underlying sweet toffee maltiness. The sweetness and maltiness is a bit lacking in the flavor, but a really vibrant and fresh pine hoppiness fills the gap up well. The bitterness level is higher than expected and possibly approaches the IPA range. There is plenty of delicate lacing on the glass marking each sip. Due to the low malt level the body of this beer is medium light, but that's okay too as it actually lends to the smooth, crisp drinkability of this refreshing pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2011 20:31:12 | More by CuriousMonk

wahhmaster

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams Boston Lager glass.

Appearance: Pours a hazy, light brown color with reddish hues. Has a large, rocky head that dissipates slowly and leaves some impressive lacing.

Smell: Smells of citrusy and floral hops. There is a slight breadiness in the background as well.

Taste: Only slightly bitter up front with citrus hops. Develops a balancing sweetness towards the back. All in all, pretty standard APA territory here, just perhaps a little more balanced than usual between bitterness and sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied with a crisp, clean feel to it.

Drinkability: A very easy-drinking APA. It's not as aggressively hoppy as most pale ales, making it easier to drink. Despite this, it is still full-flavored and thoroughly enjoyable. At least, worth a passing try...

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 01:27:15 | More by wahhmaster

beerbqman

Georgia

2.25/5  rDev -38.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I read some of the previous reviews that were questioning freshness. I bought mine near Louisville and it was six months old. I am not sure why they call this pale ale. It does not have a pale ales hop aroma or sharpness. This beer tasted burnt. It was also variable in carbonation level. The six pack I bought was like beer roulette. No telling what you are going to get. I would not buy this again. Even if they fix the variable carbonation and get the burnt part under control it still will not be a good pale ale. They need to drop this recipe and start over. To me pale is is sharp crisp and and drinkable. This beer is none of the above.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 23:21:13 | More by beerbqman

tangledbranches

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass. Cloudy copper color, not much foam but what there was left a nice lacing. The hop aroma is strong - resiny, citrusy, and somewhat floral - over a yeasty, malty base.

The hop taste is bitter, assertive and dominant, but the wonderful aroma keeps drawing me in for another sip.

I've had this on tap as well, but don't remember the aroma being as strong then.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2011 00:59:23 | More by tangledbranches

plaid75

New York

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

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

The smell featured a clean and simple grapefruit hop, that although did not distinguish this beer, was pleasant and inviting.

The taste consisted of a light, yet vibrant, dry citric hop, a touch of grassiness and a grainy malt. Very homebrew-esque.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a simplistic, yet tasty, APA. In my opinion this is along the lines of what that style should be.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2011 15:26:08 | More by plaid75

jrallen34

Illinois

2.42/5  rDev -34.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle into my Darkness glass...Pours a super dark copper with no carbonation at all...A light grassy aroma with a hint of hops and alcohol on the finish. An unappealing aroma but not strong enough to detract...The taste is really harsh and bitter, metal, hop bombish hops bitter.

This is a hop head dream in a pale ale. Not the proper taste profiles, skip this.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 23:15:08 | More by jrallen34

ZOXXO

Kentucky

3.08/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into Kapok Inn Tulip glass

A - Burnt orange coloring with a one finger off white head and tiny spotted lacing

S - Grassy hops and little else.

T - Initial malt flavor but very quickly gives way to a piney hop bite.

M - Medium bodied. Nicely carbonated

D - All hops and carbonation leave this brew as a single glass brew for my current taste.

Note - This was but my second APA first being SNPA which I liked much better.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 02:44:04 | More by ZOXXO

Wisconsinality

Wisconsin

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into SA Perfect Pint.

A- Pours a nice amber orange with just the slightest amount of haze and just about two finger's worth of head. The head leaves very nice lacing on the side of the glass.

S- This one was bottled in January so it has lost some of its hop profile. There is a big malt presence but you can still pick up a little bit of the hops. Seems to be a little citrus as well.

T- The hops have definitely not faded from the taste. Big burst and a smooth malt backbone make this pretty balanced. Just a little sweetness in there as well. I wonder what this would be like fresh.

M- Nice medium body with a pretty good hop bite for a pale. The carbonation is pretty spot on. Also dry on the finish.

D- This is a pretty hop forward PA even though it is a couple months old. I would be interested in trying this when it is fresh to see how good the hop profile is.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2010 04:23:29 | More by Wisconsinality

Seanibus

California

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours clear deep amber with a bubbly white head. Aroma is clean but slight - not much to mention. Flavor is good, though earthier and toastier than I would have expected. Bready and toasty with a reasonable herbal hop. It finishes with a nice piney hop bitterness. This is a tougher, earthier, more assertive apa than I am used to. Mouthfeel is clingy and thick.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2010 22:10:00 | More by Seanibus

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Acquired from raznug, courtesy of the Under 100 III BIF so a big "Thank You" goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep amber color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of caramelized malts, some hops and a little bit of citrus.

T: The taste starts out with a nice burst of floral hops bitterness, but not so much that it's over-powering. Then some caramel and citrus sweetness comes in along with a hearty malt character to provide a good balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is worth sessioning with for a while but there are others in the style that I would choose first.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2010 03:43:25 | More by TheManiacalOne

Ottertude

Kentucky

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The brew poured a dark amber into my pint glass with a frothy white head that left all kinds of lacing in my glass. Not much smell here. Maybe some faint citrus.

The taste is all about the hops, my friend. Plenty of grapefruit and pine flavors with a hint of biscuit malt way in the background with a piney finish. The label may say APA but this is clearly working the IPA territory.

The mouthfeel was fine. I can drink a couple of these but then the piney aftertaste gets to me. That said, a couple of these watching Kentucky basketball on a Saturday afternoon is a good way to think and drink local.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2010 03:32:54 | More by Ottertude

beer2day

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very nice deep orange with a thick 2-finger head. Nice retention and laces very thickly.

Nose is very bready. Slight pine flavor, also, but weak.

Hits the tongue creamy, but the hops bite very quick and sharp. All pine here. Finish is not dry but not fruity, either.

Feel is just what I would want in an APA. Creamy balance against the hop bite.

Overall, very nice.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2009 01:51:04 | More by beer2day

Onenote81

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle received from bamadog in a recent trade. Huge thanks!

Pours a very dark copper color with a good inch's worth of ivory head on top. Decent retention, left tons of sticky lace all over the glass. Dull earthy scents come out, along with some roasted pale malts.

Full-bodied PA here. Carbonation level is moderate, this beer goes down thick. Dull bitter hops right away. Some mild char on the finish. Sweet balance is lacking a bit. As the site proclaims, this really is a hophead's dream. Plenty bitter without all the citrus presence. This is straight up hops. I like it. Thanks, Rich, for the awesome opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2009 18:45:16 | More by Onenote81

jkrich

Indiana

3.35/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured a deep, clear copper with a very nice creamy head.

An strong, wood-like hop aroma dominated.

This is assertively bitter with very little malt presence for balance. The hop bitterness lacks distinction, i.e. no grapefruity or piney flavors. As the ale warmed, there was a slight malt flavor.

Good creamy mouthfeel and not overcarbonated.

I enjoyed this ale with a good pizza. I was surprised at the assertive hoppiness and lack of balance. This one is decent and worth trying, but I did not order a second.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2009 19:12:42 | More by jkrich