Kentucky Ale - Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co.

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Kentucky Ale is a hybrid ale between Pale Ale and Irish Red. The color is near half and half as red and pale create orange. The head was creamy but weak.

The scent goes towards both with weak hops and burnt malts. Tinges of barley and malt hold the nose but get lost quickly.

Again, the hybrid nature of this ale continues in taste. Burnt malts with light malt/hop flavor are unfortunately lost in a watery taste and feel.

I'm a huge fan of this ale for the price but also I'm a bit of a homer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2013 23:48:38 | More by KYGunner

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Lexington Brewing : Kentucky Ale

LOOK: Pours a bright crystal clear copper.

SMELL: Pale and Caramel malts, toffee, small hop.

TASTE: Caramel, toffee, spent grains, mild hop bitterness.

FEEL: Medium bodied, crisp and well carbonated.

OVERALL: An average session ale, not that theres anything wrong with that.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 21:20:55 | More by Stinkypuss

ElGeordie

Virginia

3.2/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Hilton hotel bar, lexington Green.
I ordered this knowing nothing about the beer or the brewery. Visually it was a clear copper colour with a tight white head. Tastes like an American pale ale with a touch of another grain in there (rye or wheat maybe ?). The hops were very restrained and the adjuncts left a strange after taste. Not bad but I couldn't drink it all night.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2009 18:18:42 | More by ElGeordie

guinness33

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a crisp copper colour with a mid sized to smallish head that leaves spotty amounts of residue on the glass.

The aroma is sweet and grainy with a bit of a grassy vibe to it. Not much going on here.

Flavour is similar to the aroma with grass and general grain notes leading the way but also incorporating some bread flavour at the back end of each sip. Again, quite simple overall. Mouthfeel is light bodied, and perhaps a touch watery.

This is a run of the mill, average Pale Ale all around. Perhaps a Kentucky locals way to combat the likes of a Bud, MGD, Coors, etc. This one is far superior to all of those, but is on even ground in terms of lack of originality. At least this no frills, no noticeable flaws beer has some flavour to it. Eh.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2009 20:53:25 | More by guinness33

jkrich

Indiana

4/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a pint on-tap at the Amerigo restaurant in eastern Louisville.

The ale arrived with a creamy white head with some lacing on the glass. The color was a deep golden, clear copper much like a Bass ale.

The smell was dominated by sweet maltiness with no domestic hop aroma; this is definately an English style pale ale.

True to the style, the initial taste is a well rounded sweet malt with subtle flavors of hops. The freshness and crispness of the flavor keep this one from becoming cloying. Given some the low scores I reviewed here, I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor and body of this ale.

This ale is medium bodied with enough carbonation to keep it interesting.

Overall, I consider this ale better than the local rival's American pale ale brewed by Bluegrass Brewing company. I have seen this ale many times in the local liquor stores but always picked up something else. If it is similar in taste as the version on tap, I may purchase a six pack now and then. With the low ABV and refreshing flavor this could be a classic English session ale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2008 22:18:30 | More by jkrich

sweethome

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Bonefish grill in Louisville.

A light golden beer, delivered to me in a pilsner glass with a decent white head. Nice nose of rich malts for such a light beer.

The taste is simple, refined, and not bad. I get a nice malt flavor which reminds me in some way of bourbon...am I just thinking that? No, must be some corn in this grist.

I considered this more of a golden ale while trying it, so a bit surprised to see it called a pale ale. This did not have much ho flavor and very limited bittering.

I like this beer - a real quaffer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2008 03:05:36 | More by sweethome

Dithyramb

Maryland

3.45/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had less than an hour to kill in CVG, so I missed out on the Bluegrass Brewing Company way over in Concourse C. Located within the other concourses was a nice restaurant. The only non BMC product on tap was Kentucky Ale. I sat down, ordered a pint, and watched cable news wax destruction of the oncoming hurricane.

Served in a 20 oz. pint glass at Max's and Erma's, a nice amber color. It had a very faint and short lived white head. Retention was non-existent, but there was some decent lacing.
I had this previously through a trade in bottle. Again on tap, there was virtually no aroma whatsoever, just a whiff of malt. As I had this same issue in the motherland itself with real ale, I only docked a bit off for that...
This was smooth and easy drinking, and very creamy on the mouth. Very light malt with faint wisps of hops on the finish.
Light mouthfeel and just the right amount of carbonation made this one very easy to drink and worth several.

Overall: Average to above average american try at the English version. I liked this one better fresh and on tap than in the bottle. I'd really like to try this on cask and/or nitro...

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2005 20:23:20 | More by Dithyramb

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.58/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Revisiting my review after a couple of years: I had a few pints last night (August 1, 2008) at a local Irish pub. The beer has much better attenuation rates than it did when I last reviewed the beer, making it crisper, less sweet, and drier. Still the beer has a malt-forward balance that lessens the drinkability and the potential character. Still, a super clean, crisp, refreshing ale, at least for one or two pints at a time.

Aroma: Sweet and malty. Caramel malts, pale malts, and slight diacityl detected to the smell. No noticable hopping aromas. Mild spices and a little vanilla / butter.

Appearance: Copper to burgundy. Nicely clear beer. Off white head started at about 1/2" and fell to a trace after a few minutes. Head is mostly white with hues fo tan and red. Medium carbonation with averagely knit bubbles.

Taste: Very sweet. Malty and caramelly with a little vanilla thrown in. No real hop flavoring. Bittering barely detectable. Body is nicely full and shows traces of butterscotch-beleived to be a positive. Finishes sweet and malty. Doesn't leave the palate too sticky or sugary. Leaves the mouth moist and awaiting another qualf. Viscocity is creamy and palate coating.

Afertaste: Mainly the same sweet maltiness that started the drink. Now a notice of bittering hops which keeps this beer refreshing. Lingers nicely.

Impression: A better beer than what I was able to describe. Something more of a English Red style than an American Pale Ale. Even at that, a better Red than most that I have tried. Nicely balanced and aged. Very fresh and thirst quenching. However, this is one of few beers that I prefer from the bottle than on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2005 02:32:43 | More by BEERchitect

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - average to light amber, thin head holds at a layer of solid creaminess and lays a thin coating of lace down the glass.

Aroma - sweet malt and grain, pleasant, fairly average.

Taste - smooth and tasty. Like the aroma, it is sweet and dominated by malt. A bare trace of hops on the finish. Less depth than the bottled version, but pretty good.

Mouthfeel - very smooth, good cabonation level.

Drinkability - I like Kentucky Ale. On the sweeter side for a session pick, but its smooth character makes 'em disappear fast.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2005 15:26:41 | More by brewdlyhooked13

chugamugofsud

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Kentucky ale is brewed here in Lexington and I have had it both on tap and in the bottle. It is frequently offered for 2 bucks a pint at Pazzo's and is a great deal at that price. The ale pours as a slightly darker/amber lager, it's a combination of the lager and scottish ale styles actually. When served cold, the beer will have a medium frothy head and will have a slight fruit smell to the top of it. The taste is very solid for a lager, not tasting too bitter nor getting overpoweringly sweet. This beer is great for drinking several of, very easy to get down and recommended for the price.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2004 22:18:38 | More by chugamugofsud

AtLagerHeads

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good looking brew that is smooth as silk. I really liked this one. The look ia mid amber, clear, with a nice ivory head of about two fingers. The head shrinks back rather quickly but leaves a layer that never stops lacing. The aroma is light and flowery smelling, floral I guess and that sense came to me in the taste as well. It is very malty, sweet, and floral with a slight peppery spice hint.

Very smooth and creamy mouthfeel. I'd put the ABV somewhere around 5% which makes this an all day beer. Had it with a cheese pizza at Pazzo's and loved the combo. Very nice from the Bluegrass.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2003 22:51:07 | More by AtLagerHeads

buschbeer

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12FL.OZ. bottle
Served in a perfect pint glass

A - This beer ranges from amber in the center of the glass to gold on the edges. A perfect pour gave me three inches of beige head the was even with the top of the glass. There are so many bubbles rising from the nucleation sites that the head actually rose above the top of the glass after a couple minutes.

S - In the aroma I smell some caramel, bread, and some floral accents. I even get some hints of vanilla.

T - As far as the taste goes I get some toasted malt with a dry finish. It kind of reminds me of rye.

M - Medium leaning towards full. I get a grainy feel on my tongue.

O - It pairs well with watching Justified.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 17:55:27 | More by buschbeer

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

3.99/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass:

A: clear golden amber body with red/brown tints here and there, one finger white foamy head that quickly dies and leaves a bubbly film coating the top of the body, some sticky lacing graces the sides of the glass

S: bready, malty, strong scent of caramel

T: sweet through the previously mentioned flavors, no aftertaste, dry finish

M: light, sessionable, carbonation is spot on

O: not a bad English pale ale and doesn't get that "soapiness" some English Pales do, those who are normally turned off by the "soapiness" from English Pales could be pleased with this one, I would have this again

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 17:52:44 | More by kangarooAdam59

lostinfla

Florida

3.51/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Second product from Alltech. Love the Aged Bourbon version and thought I would give this a try.
Bottle into a Sam Adams glass.
Good amber color with a short golden head that lasted a bit.
Smelled very average, much like an adjunct lager with a little sweetness.
Taste was more on par with a Octoberfest Marzen beer than the Ammerican Ale flavor I expected.
More malty than an ale and a very moderate bite, with hints of Bourbon, much like their cask aged version.
I liked it, but not sure I would repeat it.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 00:41:47 | More by lostinfla

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.34/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Wait, there's no barrel here? Anyway, this stuff pours a clear sunset brass topped by a half-finger of off-cream foam. The nose comprises mild honey, milder biscuit, light apple, and a vague smattering of flowers. It's light and simple, but fairly pleasant regardless. The taste brings in more of the same, with that pesky apple character playing a larger role. It's this apple-ness that really detracts from the positives a bit too much for my tastes. The body is a light medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a generally fluid feel. Overall, a nice little English-esque brew, one I could see being a mild-ish staple if I found myself in Kentucky, but that damn apple character doesn't endear the beer to me all that much.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 21:48:53 | More by TMoney2591

TastyAdventure

Kentucky

3.59/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A - Brown, red tints, completely translucent. Thin solid head.

S - yeast, bread

T - hints of a more complex ale, not strong, but subtle hints to that aged dubbels have. Somewhat dry, cheap american pale ale finish.

M - balanced carbonation, not an overwhelming mouthfeel

Overall, a great, cheap session beer! (I live in Kentucky, might be cheaper for me than most)

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 23:06:30 | More by TastyAdventure

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Had this on 2013-01-21 in Columbia, PA

A - Yellow-amber with a huge 3.5-finger pillowy head that sticks around. Not a great pour as there wasn't much room left in the glass for the liquid.

S - Fresh-cut sweet and tart apple, mild yeast and a touch of grain.

T - Toasted white bread, nut, apple, touch of caramel. Mildly bitter with a little hop spice.

M - Light-medium body and medium-high carbonation. Smooth.

O - Decent, not great.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 21:16:33 | More by Tucquan

metter98

New York

3.48/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is relatively clear yellowish amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high dense off white head that died down a bit and consistently left a thin head covering the surface and lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of caramel and toasted malts in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, but the flavors are a little more pronounced and have initial hints of sweetness and notes of mineral water and hints of bitterness towards the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and very smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and has a nice smooth mouthfeel, although the taste seems a little bland.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 23:48:39 | More by metter98

barnzy78

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, pours amber with a thin off-white head that leaves little lacing on the glass. Aromas are sweet and malty with toasted grain and caramel dominating the nose, slightly earthy. Tastes match the aroma with more malty sweetness, toasted grain, bready, prickly, earthy, modest piny hop bite on the end. Feel is thin-medium and creamy. Overall, not too bad. I get the Irish Red, I get the EPA, but nothing ground shaking here. Well put together for what it is though. Not sure that I'd buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 04:08:07 | More by barnzy78

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I might like this beer more if it didn't remind me of Magic Hat #9 on so many levels. But prejudice aside, it's smooth. Flavor profile is consistent. It's smooth. Perhaps I have cracked the secret recipe of the #9. Anyways. This is an easy drinking beer. Interesting mix of styles.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 01:27:14 | More by RblWthACoz

beerme626

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from Shenanigan's in Lexington, KY into a tervis tumbler. I just moved, so I don't have all my glasses unpacked yet.

A: Reddish-amber brew, with a one-finger head that dissipates after a little. Little bit of a haze on it the whole way down. Not much visible carbonation.

S: Smells like an Irish-red, much more so than an English Pale Ale, so it's half right.

T: See smell. A mild Irish red, much more so than an English PA, which is fine with me.

M: Sits well, feels good.

O: A good beer that does Lexington well. Bourbon barrel ale is better, though, and more unique. So, if you're buying beer in Lexington, spend the extra dollar and get the bourbon beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 00:16:13 | More by beerme626

DirtyPenny

Massachusetts

2.98/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured two bottles into a great big mug with nasty pointy teeth.

A: Bright, clear but unnatural-looking reddish-orange. Poured with only a couple of millimeters of white head which disappeared in seconds despite active carbonation. Lots of bubbles visible floating to the surface of this one, but still only a spotty film of white on top.

S: Cereal grain and hayfield.

T: Lightly nutty and subtly flavored. A bit of caramel and some corn and straw on the backend. Apple aftertaste had a faint rottenness to it.

M: Medium-bodied and foamy. Dry finish.

O: A combination English pale and Irish red? What would you even call this; a tan and even more tan? What does either country have to do with Kentucky? What is the capital of Assyria? Why, god, why!?

In conclusion, a pretty adequate beer with enough off notes to keep you from coming back. So here's to comrades near and far, so raise a glass, raise your voices.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 03:49:55 | More by DirtyPenny

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.9/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Kentucky Ale has a thick, creamy, off-white head and a clear, copper color, with a little bit of lacing. The aroma is of grain husks, some sweetness, and maybe some barley malt. Taste is malt forward and sweet, with a touch of caramel and very low hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is watery and somewhat slick, and Kentucky Ale finishes semi-dry and very easy drinking. Overall, this is a laid back and enjoyable English-style ale.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 21:22:31 | More by RonaldTheriot

sommersb

Tennessee

3.85/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 05-15-2012
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: Nonic pint
Purchased: 6-pack from Midtown, Nashville

Clear, copper-colored beer with a white and creamy head of a finger and a half that sticks around nicely. Very good lacing in the glass.

Aromas are are primarily of malts, caramel and bready, pleasant and rounded out with smells of earthy hops.

Taste is a smooth and malty affair, with toffee and caramel notes with just a hint of bitterness. Tastes more like an Irish red ale then an English pale ale.

Mouthfeel is crisp with a high amount of carbonation. Body is in the light to medium range. The finish is smooth and easy drinking, with a light sweetness.

Overall a very enjoyable, simple ale. A nice casual go-to beer for the spring and summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 17:05:17 | More by sommersb

rangerred

Tennessee

3.68/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear light amber with a 1.5 finger off-white head. Pretty good head retention.

Aroma is fairly nutty with some caramel thrown in there. Some light floral hops are also detectable.

Taste is very caramel/nutty up front quickly transitioning into some biscuit. There are undertones of spicy/floral hops that also contribute a light bitterness. Beer is moderately sweet with a stick finish.

Overall I was somewhat impressed by this beer. Some good flavor but still light enough to have several of. I'll probably pick up some more of this.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 00:14:41 | More by rangerred