Steam Pumper IPA - Fire Station 5 Brewing Company

scootpolute

Washington

2.95/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

***Weird, my bottle states that this brewery is located in Olympia WA, but BA says Portland OR...Perhaps they have locations in both?!

P:12oz brown bottle poured into a cone pint glass...

Appearance: clear orange/copper beer with a patchy cream off-white foam head...GREAT lacing!

Smell: Carmel, grapefruit, some hints of orange peel, with background sweet malts and a faint bready grain aroma.

Taste: Hmmm...VERY mellow! The initial taste is...NOT MUCH!!...grainy/caramel malt sweetness...VERY sweet throughout...just dies off with a wet sweetness from the initial lack of hops, malts...

Mouthfeel-A smooth and creamy with a malty thick full-body...Moderate body, not overwhelming VERY limited on hops. Goes down easily.

Overall-Pretty much a boring IPA. Due to the extreme low hop flavor, I wonder if this should be even considered an IPA...Has more ESB characteristics if you ask me...This beer 'is' easy to drink due to it's smoothness...but as mentioned earlier, VERY boring...Chasin' Cheers :~)

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 18:16:33 | More by scootpolute

artoolemomo

Oregon

2.5/5  rDev -26%

04-01-2013 02:19:35 | More by artoolemomo

Hopmodium

Washington

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%

01-13-2013 23:25:02 | More by Hopmodium

chuckgfk

Alaska

2.75/5  rDev -18.6%

03-15-2012 01:43:54 | More by chuckgfk

shelby415

Oregon

3/5  rDev -11.2%

02-19-2012 08:00:52 | More by shelby415

edwardkersh

Oregon

3/5  rDev -11.2%

01-18-2012 04:36:30 | More by edwardkersh

drewmercer

California

4/5  rDev +18.3%

12-31-2011 00:14:09 | More by drewmercer

dmalone

California

1/5  rDev -70.4%

12-23-2011 22:37:53 | More by dmalone

twelveinches

Washington

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%

11-20-2011 07:03:56 | More by twelveinches

welldigger888

South Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured an orange gold color, white head with some lacing.

Soft caramel maltiness and a slightly washed out piney citrus hop aroma.

Citrus and piney hops with a caramel malt. A firm hop bittering finishes dry with a little oil slickness.

Very thin and watery mouthfeel.

If beefed up grain bill maybe the thinness would improve, descent for the price though $2.50 a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2011 03:49:34 | More by welldigger888

olmatty

Oregon

3/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- Pours a lightly clouded orange amber with a thin, white head that dissipates quickly.

Smell-Perhaps the least aromatic IPA I've had The slightest bit of bitterness and absolutely nothing else. Nothing off-just nothing much either.

Taste-Smooth, clean opening with a moderate citrus hop bitterness. Malts come on with a hint of caramel and a little orange peel at the finish with a mild lasting bitterness. Pleasant.

Mouthfeel-Moderate body, not overwhelming with sticky hops. Goes down easily.

Overall-A fairly sessionable IPA. Not anything off, but just not very memorable. I suppose this could be lauded for its ease of drinking.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 06:05:28 | More by olmatty

industrialswill

Washington

4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is good beer. If I didn't know any better, I'd think I was drinking a Deschutes or Bridgeport IPA. Of course this rather slick looking label might not look leathery enough for some folks to be able to see it as a true craft beer, but this is definitely a good craft IPA.
Golden amber pour, piney citrus nose. Taste is predominantly hops and the ABV is quite well hidden. This was the lowest priced IPA at Fred Meyer tonight, so this is the one that won a ride home.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2011 03:05:28 | More by industrialswill

beertunes

Washington

3.08/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into 10oz glass and shared with the friends who gave it to me (Hi Nancy and Jim!). Poured a nice medium golden amber color with about a half-inch of off-white head that had decent retention and light lacing.

As expected, the hops are upfront in the nose and there's a slight caramel malt scent in the background. On the tongue, there's a nice little blend of hop flavors, not really a tongue burner, and decently balanced.

The body was too thin for the style, and drinkability was pretty decent. Overall, a decent little brew. Since these beers seem to be a "store brand" for the Fred Meyer chain (I've never seen them anywhere else) and are very friendly priced, if you're in the area of a FM and are sort on cash, those probably aren't a bad budget option.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2010 00:30:12 | More by beertunes

Bookseeb

Washington

3.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance has a nice rich copper color with creamy held head and fair lace. Smell of citrus, big hops and sweet malt. Taste is not as big as it smelled, Same senses on the palate, but more of a mellow IPA. Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. A toned down IPA, but that doesn't mean it's not good, rather enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 01:40:17 | More by Bookseeb

grittybrews

Washington

3.28/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured an orange-copper into a pint class. Fairly weak aroma for an IPA, just hinting at piney/citrus hops. Moderate to low carbonation contributed to a slightly thick mouthfeel. The initial taste was more wheaty than expected, with a bitter, almost pilsner-like grain finish. As the beer warmed the flavor of hops and a bit of caramel sweetness started to come forward, but never quite competed with the toasty quality of this IPA.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2010 01:11:42 | More by grittybrews

velmalikevelvet

California

3.15/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a clear orangey-amber with virtually no head and very little aroma, the flavor isn't bad but it was a little sweet & under-hopped for my taste. Slightly thin in the mouth and a bit flat, with little in the way of an after-burn, I think if it were more robust I would have liked it better. Not bad, but not great either.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 01:20:03 | More by velmalikevelvet

Schmit

Washington

3.8/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I'm trying to figure out who the hell brews this, because the web site here says it's from Oregon, but the label says Olympia, WA and I can't find any information on "FireStation 5" anywhere online. Mysterious.

But I was pleasantly surprised by this IPA that I bought on sale for under $3 at Fred Meyer. Reddish-golden amber color, smells good, tastes good. Maybe a little flat, but the sweetness and bitterness were well balanced and I drank my way through 22 oz. without regretting a single sip.

Will probably get this one again, especially if it's always such a bargain.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2010 06:49:16 | More by Schmit

karma99

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

ABV Unknown, poured into a chilled pint glass.

Nice copper color, clear, minimal head no lacing (first bottle poured, next one I will pour more vigorously).

Scent of a nicely hopped brew, citrus and pine, caramel, subtle sweetness.

Tastes excellent, although not an exemplary IPA in the tradion I am used to. More balance, less hops and consequently less bitterness than most IPAs, and better balanced malty sweet caramel bread finish many IPAs lack. I think maybe we need a new IPA category besides AIPA, and that is PNWIPA, for PacNorthWest IPA, because it seems morre and more excellent beers are being produced here in the PNW similar in style to Steam Pumper but yet not a true IPA or even AIPA. At any rate, a great beer.

Nice carbonation, good drinnkability, wondering about the ABV, I'm guessing about 6.8% but would love to know. Definitely will be purchasing again, love to support the hometown breweries!

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2009 22:44:43 | More by karma99

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

2.93/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to Abecall98 for providing this as an extra in a recent trade.

Pours with a foamy off white head that shows some good structure, then suddenly collapses on itself. A thin white cap of foam remains. The beer is a slightly hazy gold/amber color with some orange highlights. Quite a bit of visible carbonation.

Aroma is fruity, a touch of mineral notes. And slightly sweet.

The flavor is fairly well balanced. The initial sweetness and fruit is taken over by some hop bitterness. This does tastes like an Oregon IPA to me. I am really starting to notice a difference between the California IPA's and those from Oregon. When I think of "west coast" IPA, I think of those from California. Those from Oregon seem more balanced, and I think this fits into that category. Some caramel notes... slightly earthy. And a touch of lingering bit bitterness....

Almost sticky but not quite. Carbonation allows the flavor to dance on your tongue.

Fairly drinkable. I'm not the biggest fan of this... But glad to have had the opportunity to try it.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2009 23:16:11 | More by Reagan1984

GJ40

North Carolina

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

Sampled from a 22oz bottle picked up on a whim while in Seattle. I haven't been to Portland in a while and this is a brewery I haven't come across so I thought I'd give it a try.

A - Golden with good clarity and a thick white head that yields some decent lacing.

S - Mostly piney hops with some fruit and toast.

T - Starts piney with lesser citrus and floral notes. Just enough toasted malt to do the job. Finishes with a mild bitterness. There's something missing in between but it's not a big detraction. This is a decent beer but not compelling. I expected more from a Portland IPA.

M - A bit on the thin side with good moderate carbonation.

D - Very easy to drink. Makes a good session beer (but maybe not for the right reasons).

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2009 01:16:05 | More by GJ40

Chelsea1905

Washington

3.58/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very nice orange/amber colour. Head was very nice and foamy, stayed around for a while and left nice lacing and ringing too.

Smell was of a faint amount of hops and pine (usualy for an AIPA) with a nice malty backbone

Tastes like a standard AIPA. Nothing fancy, not too hop infused, but not too malty either. Nicely balanced

Mouthfeel is nice and medium, minimal bubbling, and a little bit of a malty aftertaste.

not sure what the ABV is, but this is a decent beer.

Also, the side of my bottle says that this is brewedd in Ukiah, CA and not Portland, OR!!

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2009 03:06:29 | More by Chelsea1905

GreenCard

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: light copper-gold, very slight haze, thick sudsy layer of light tan foam with good head retention

Aroma: scrumptious combo of caramelly malt and piney/grapefruity hops

Flavor: dryish malt backbone with a resinous, pine hop flavor; hint of grain and burnt caramel; finishes dry with a lingering grapefruit rind bitterness

Mouthfeel: medium body, pert carbonation, crisp, hoppy astringency

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 01:21:09 | More by GreenCard

AKBelgianBeast

Alaska

3.68/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a totally clear orange/amber color with a nice fluffy white head that leaves good lacing.

Nose is a soapy floral hop flavor. Some hop resins and slight pine.

Taste isnt so bad, but is nothing special. Hop flavors are kind of soapy and subdued. Floral notes are there, bitterness is kind of weak, and there is next to no grapefruit going on.

Mouthfeel is a bit thick and kind of slick. Carbonation is good, but could be a touch livelier.

Drinkability is pretty good, but It makes it tough with the akwardness of the flavor.

Overall an Ok beer, but odd for an IPA. A very soap like flavor makes it tough. Not a horrible beer, but one I probably wont purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2009 03:35:30 | More by AKBelgianBeast

SickBrew

Washington

2.63/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Got this and a couple other styles from Fred Meyer.

The brew poured nicedly into my favortie pils glass and left about a finger of head. This white head dissapated moderatedly fast and left some lacing. Nose is grassy with some slight citrous tones and otherwiise a bit weak for an IPA.

Taste follows nose, except there is that unwelcome metallic taste in the finish. Body is light and the co2 light as well.

I don't think I'lll be going for another.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2008 01:14:00 | More by SickBrew

Docer

Washington

2.85/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not impressed with this one from Pyramid. Its much like their apricot ale, minus the fruit.

Not much of a smell from the 22oz. bottle I paid too much for. Just a bright golden pale really... can't call it an IPA. Bubbly head much like all Pyramids.. but bland.. hardly any lacing.

Taste is bitter, but not a sour bitter. The good flavors present themselves when they are belched. Rather mild fruity tones without being very citrus-like. Nice citrus hop flavor and aroma.. but just not quite enough.

Aftertaste isn't very great... a little watery with a bitter bite. A very dry pale.

Rather easy to drink.. but too much like a pilsner which i don't like.

Would I buy it again? Nope. Not impressed.

No date, not much info... ABV? - I would guess about 5%.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2008 00:13:05 | More by Docer