Pintail Pale Ale - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

rawfish

California

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Arrives to the table with a deep orange amber hue and a small off white cap of froth that leaves an even ring of stick on the glass. Nice clarity with active carbonation.

A little muted but nice caramel malt back bone with even balance of citrus and pine hop aromas. Smells lightly herbaceous and clean.

Clean malt bill, not a hint of any coarse grains and it quickly clears allowing the beer to lean towards the hoppy side of the spectrum with grapefruit citrus , pine and lemon zest. Mildly bitter in the finish, with a brightening acidity.

Prickly carbonation but nothing overblown, deceivingly lighter body then the color lets on, doesn't give a drying feeling but unmistakably clean.

Very clean and on the hoppier side of the spectrum as far as pale ales go. Reminds me quite a bit of fresh SN pale which is also very good. One of Karl Strauss' better beers in the standard lineup.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 05:06:00 | More by rawfish

FosterJM

California

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1227th Review on BA
Draft to Pint

@Karl Strauss Costa Mesa

App-  A decent dark orange with light ambers and a small 1/2 finger of white head. HUGE amazingly clingy lace with webbing for days.

Smell-  Hoppy, piney, citrusy and crisp bitter. Smelled like a clean beer. Had a good small feel. Wasnt too muddled.

Taste- I like this one. Along the lines of a SNPA. Had a good clean profile with a nice hop flavor and then only a small malt profile. 

Mouth-  A clean medium body with a medium carbonation level. Has a semi bitter citrus level.

Drink- Clean all around. Well layered ad has nice simple flavors. Would like this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 03:27:50 | More by FosterJM

mactrail

California

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Deep amber in the pint glass. Long lasting white foam on the brew. Really a tasty light style of Pale Ale. Big floral taste fills the mouth, followed by a very modest bitterness. Resins in the flavors add some interesting spice, and a lot of rich, toasted biscuit flavor fills out the body. An extremely drinkable beer with a big splash of hops, yet light enough for a quaff.

It's hard to get too far away from Karl Strauss in San Diego, but I somehow missed this peg in their standard lineup. Tasted at the La Jolla outlet. This and the Hefeweizen are really quite good, I think.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 06:26:54 | More by mactrail

velosuds

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a clear pint glass.

A-Pours an amber-orange with a one and a quarter finger, off-white head with average retention and nice, even lacing.

S-Very fragrant, citrusy hops and caramel malt.

T-A full flavored light ale. Nice blend of bitterness and tropical fruit notes with a balanced malt presence.

M-Very smooth. Good carbonation.

D-This is very drinkable and a decent ale.

O- Good, but not great, at regular prices. However, I would buy this for $5.99 a sixer, whenever available. A good APA.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 06:41:04 | More by velosuds

BucannonXC5

California

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pilsner glass. Just over an inch of head. Color was caramel. Plenty of lacing on top with some film on the sides. The film stayed throughout the pour.

Initial whiff was pine and grapefruit, followed by hops.

Initial taste was a pleasant balance of hops, pine and grapefruit, followed by a small hint of bitterness. Even some lemon wafer cookies in there as well.

Moderate on the carbonation. Flavor stayed consistent throughout. Pine and hops rule the day.

I thought this beer was going to be good and it didn’t disappoint. Heavy on the hops, but smooth. Great combination.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 07:55:42 | More by BucannonXC5

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of the Summer Brews pack from Cost Plus World Market.

Pours a clear orange with a 1 inch whitish-orange head that fades to a thin cap. Random foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and citrus zest. Taste is of grapefruit and it’s juice, citrus zests, and slight malt. Medium bitterness lingers on the palate after each sip. Good carbonation makes for a crisp and clean mouthfeel. Overall, this is a solid pale ale with some nice citrus aromas and flavors and an excellent choice for a Summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 16:58:01 | More by UCLABrewN84

DoubleJ

California

4.18/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at OC Brewhouse, on to the beer:

A little paler than copper, this beer has very good head retention and leaves a lot of lacing around the glass. Nose is pleasant, giving off grapefruit and piney aromas. A clean pale ale, leans towards the hoppy side, though never bitter or rough at any moment. The grapefruit seems sweeter in the taste. Piney and limey as well. Gentle and medium-light in mouthfeel, and very easy to quaff.

Refreshing and appetizing beer from Karl Strauss. This would be ideal for lazy summer days.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2011 06:01:16 | More by DoubleJ

BucBasil

South Carolina

3.8/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured on tap into a pint glass at Karl Strauss at Universal City, CA.

A: Amber color, almost orange but with some reddish notes. Offwhite head of about a finger with ok retention.

S: Subtle but has a malty backbone of bread with a light fruit sweetness and a hint of floral.

T: Light and smooth. Good hop profile but with a bit of balance in the form of slightly bready malt. A hint of herbal and floral hop and slightly fruity going down.

O: Very drinkable but nothing too exciting. A solid pale.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2011 17:24:47 | More by BucBasil

beagle75

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Draft service into a shaker pint glass at Karl Strauss in Costa Mesa.

A: Clear, medium amber color with less than one finger of diminishing white foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass.

S: Citrus and floral hops are pungent anf focused early, but diminish quickly in intensity. Toasted grain is predictably more evident as hops fade, but otherwise the smell is very clean.

T: Begins dry, with aromatic hops that match the smell closely and bright acidity that is strong but welcome. Pale malt emerges in the middle, husky and robust. Bitterness develops gradually, becoming nearly bracing at its peak during the finish.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, wet and balanced featuring an acidic edge, with moderate carbonation.

D: Not only is Pintail one of the best beers Karl Strauss brews, it may also be one of the best APAs brewed in Southern California. One has to consider some other much more poorly-distributed beers--Alpine Hoppy Birthday, Strand 24th Street pale--to find one that is both local and is able to exceed this beer in its masterful approach to the style. While off-flavors are virtually non-existent here, one could potentially criticize the acidity present and the speed at which the hop aromas seem to fade from the smell. That said, even they are small transgressions that should not prevent this beer from rising to the top of the Karl Strauss stable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2011 06:00:17 | More by beagle75

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a nice strong copper color with a 1 inch soapy off-white head that has some good retention. Active carbonation rise form the bottom of the glass.

S - Malty goodness is present with some underlying and delicious grassy hops. Some citrus grapefruit notes are present but the bready grain backbone is definitely dominant.

T & M - Taste starts off with some nice bready grain notes. Freshly baked and toasty. Delicious malt backbone to this brew. There is some nice grapefruit and slightly grassy hop notes to balance the malt backbone. There si some slight malt sweetness to the beer as well. With some slight carmel notes mixed in with the grain. Good light mouthfeel with great overall flavors.

O - I was pleasantly surprised byt his beer. It is up there with some of the more known Cali Pale Ales. In fact to me it trumps SNPA. Good malt backbone with nice hop hints.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 05:05:31 | More by JoEBoBpr

ThreeWiseMen

California

3.38/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Ordered a pint of this at the Karl Strauss Restaurant in Carlsbad a few days ago. The following review is base on notes taken at that time.

Served in a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pale amber, crystal clear, and bright; Pintail Pale Ale has a great looking body. A thin, creamy, white cap covers the surface and retains well, partially thanks to a handful of steady bubble streams seen within. Thick lacing early on eventually turns more cobweb-like. All around, quite nice-looking!

Smell: Light caramel, buttered toast, and pine resin come to mind first. As the beer slowly warms, I get key lime followed by grapefruit and orange. Nothing spectacular, but solid for the style.

Taste: More bitter than I'd like, but I guess this is San Diego. Unfortunately, I really can't find a whole lot in terms of flavor profile; I get lots of earth and pine, with mild lemon and buttered bread occasionally peaking through.

Mouthfeel: High carbonation and heavy bitterness make for a palate-wrecking pale ale (obviously nowhere close to palate-wrecking DIPAs, but you catch my drift). Medium-bodied and hop-forward.

Drinkability: With a few less bittering hops, this might be a great pale ale. Unfortunately, the heavy bitterness overpowers any subtleties that may exist in the flavor profile. Too bad. If you're looking for a low ABV hop fix, this may be your beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2011 18:29:25 | More by ThreeWiseMen

Halcyondays

California

3.6/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours amber with a low medium white head. Some soapy lace, good retention.

S: Sweet grapefruit notes and assorted citrus, flowery.

T: White grapefruit and lemon peel are the main flavour. It can get bitter/astringent at times, but the other tastes are good. Malt is nonexistent.

M: Crisp, light to medium-bodied, biting carbonation, thin at points.

D: A solid hoppy San Diego pale ale, good to see this quality from Karl Strauss. Not as good as the standard Sierra Nevada, but can hold its own.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2011 22:58:19 | More by Halcyondays

srandycarter

California

4.33/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pretty burnt orange, nice near white head, leaves to ring fast. Plenty cling lace.

S - Almost solid malt center nose. Bitter circling main focus.

T - Nice sweet malt controlled very well by the hops. This is great for a pale ale. Within style, but so much flavor.

M - Medium body, creamy and carbed, finished clean after sweet and bitter blend.

D - Not overpowering, not high abv. It's a keeper.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 20:41:44 | More by srandycarter

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ferric oxide orange with honeybee highlights and crystalline clarity throughout. The head is equal parts eggshell and ecru and melts in fine fashion. BB-shot lace isn't extensive, but there's enough of it present to result in the above score.

For a spring seasonal, PPA is still pretty hoppy with respect to the aroma. Cascade and Newport were used, with Amarillo for dry-hopping. Tangerine and grapefruit zest on a primarily pale malt base is right up my APA alley.

Pintail Pale Ale is a solid version of the style without a doubt. That's no surprise since the only other Karl Strauss beer that I've reviewed to date (Big Barrel Double IPA) is an underappreciated hoppy humdinger. Little brother is tasty and drinkable as well.

The malts are sufficient in amount and seem very slightly toasted and earthy, as if a small percentage of Munich or Vienna is present. The top notes are all bright citrus peel of the sort described above. It tastes and feels like most of the original 47 IBUs are still kickin'. The finish is lingeringly hoppy-bitter and semi-crisp.

The body/mouthfeel is the only (teensy weensy) fly in the ointment. It's a little bit thin and slightly too harshly bubbled. Things improve in the bottom half, just not enough to make a difference where score is concerned.

It's difficult to say after only two of their offerings, but it appears as though Karl Strauss doesn't get enough love. Maybe it's different out there in California, who knows? This is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a well-hopped American pale ale that doesn't allow its malts to be backseat drivers.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2010 12:31:43 | More by BuckeyeNation

crvcac

California

4.4/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: pours with a nice golden amber hue

Smell: smells absolutely wonderful. Clearly dry-hopped, this beer runs a fine line between pale ale and ipa.

Taste: taste very similar to its smell. Again, a very hopped pale ale. Copious amounts of citrus and pine like flavors. Sits very nicely on the palate.

Drink ability: very drinkable. Moderate abv makes for a great session beer. Hop linger on the tongue makes me want more

Overall: solid

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2010 15:16:06 | More by crvcac

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.63/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Looks the part of a good pale beer, amber colored, thin head. Aroma was very pleasant, good dry hopping here.

Taste, a solid beer, especially from a brewery I've never been a big fan of. Great summer sipper. Citrus hops, snippet of pine even. Nothing too crazy, holds its own. Does recede downhill though, everything that stood out diminishes. Man, if they only served this 5 oz. at a time, it would be excellent. . .

As always, about $1-2 more than superior products in the same category SNPA. . .

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2010 17:41:10 | More by Beerandraiderfan

armock

New York

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured a copper color with a white head that leaves some lacing behind

S - Is mostly of citrus hops on caramel malt

T - Starts off with grapefruit hops finishes with a touch of caramel malt

M - This beer has a medium body with higher carbonation to it

D - This was a pretty good pale thats easy to drink with its good taste I could probably drink a few of these in a sitting worth picking up sometime to give it a try

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2010 20:57:23 | More by armock

Jason

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz brown bottle with a code on the neck.

Clear and brassy, thin but impressive lacing. APA nose with floral and citric hop notes with bready and biscuity malt. Somewhat deep smoothness develops into a quick snap of crispness. Medium body. Citric hop flavor runs from pulp to zest to a little bit of rind with a bitterness that sticks. Maltiness holds together well, a good base with biscuity and bread flavors that meld with yeasty undertones. Finishes malt and bitter at the same time, semi-dry though.

A stellar example of the APA style, nothing crazy ... to style.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2010 01:55:27 | More by Jason

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 6/8
Poured in to a pint glass

A: This beer pours crystal clear copper color with a 1/2 inch of off white head. Head recedes relatively quickly leaving spots of wispy lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is really rather malt forward, caramel malts really dominate, some breadiness and a hint of hops.

T: Taste is likened to the nose, very malt forward. Caramel malts in the forefront moving to a slight breadiness. The hop flavoring really comes out toward the finish with some nice citrus hop notes.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation, oily mouthfeel with a slightly dry finish.

D: Not a bad beer, but could have been blended better, goes down pretty easily and is not too filling. You could sit with this for the night, though I would opt for other APA's if available.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2010 14:19:17 | More by Jayli

itfitz

California

3.35/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Calling this American Pale Ale "average" does no justice to the wonderful amalgam of caramel maltiness, light and balanced bitterness, an inviting grassy-citrus hop aroma, and a nicely-carbonated feel.

Karl Strauss' Pintail Pale Ale just works -- it goes down smoothly, leaves a pleasant aftertaste, and is the perfect accompaniment to a nice summer day.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2010 10:57:42 | More by itfitz

jjh19

California

4.35/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: My bottle of Pintail Pale Ale poured a rich golden amber color. Decent head. Had a really clean look.

Smell: A pleasant aroma, hints of citrus (maybe grapefruit?)

Taste: Wow - this ale delivers big on the citrus with the first sip. Pretty cool. I think my favorite thing about the Pintail is the malts I get mid-sip. Creates a nice balance with the vibrant hops.

Mouthfeel: My bottle had a fairly ale-standard medium body. Nothing crazy.

Drinkability: This is a smooth pale ale with an interesting hoppiness. I'd totally recommend this. Can't wait for a hot San Diego day to enjoy a couple more.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2010 04:00:13 | More by jjh19

Beerocrat69

California

4.43/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer was copper-colored with a nice white head and great lace on the glass. It smelled like grapefruit juice mingled with a little bit of pine. Great aroma! It tasted dry - which is good - with slight notes of caramel. The beer was super hoppy without being very bitter. The mouthfeel was light to medium-bodied. This is definitely a sessionable pale ale. I could drink alot of this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2010 21:57:46 | More by Beerocrat69

hoptrip619

California

4.5/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Not sure if there was a reformulation to this recipe because there is no way this beer deserves anything less than a solid A. I sampled Pintail several times last night at a charity event for the San Diego History Center and was very very impressed. Ryan, the KS rep, mentioned it will be available in six-packs here in a few weeks and I definitely plan to pick some up when that become a reality.

A- Poured a clear bright golden orange with a 1/2" white head.

S- Prominent clean floral citrus aroma of grapefruit zest with some fruity notes.

T- Lots of hop flavor of grapfruit, orange, and meyer lemon. Some caramel malt contrasts nicely with the forward hoppiness.

M- Medium bodied and very very easy to drink.

D- This PA is clean, super flavorful, and incredibly easy to drink. This may very well become my go-to beer. I am seriously impressed by the new beers KS has been putting out lately.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2010 20:16:59 | More by hoptrip619

magictrokini

California

3.33/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a clear gold with a bubbly white head. Thin lacing. Metallic malt-and-grassy hops combo typical of the style; nothing outstanding. Carbonated mouthfeel, dry finish. Crystal malt bite with slightly piney hops. Smooth, and refreshing, but not a lot of substance.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2009 00:44:53 | More by magictrokini