McSorley's Irish Pale Ale - Pabst Brewing Company

KrisPaulk77

Mississippi

1.3/5  rDev -58.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

A "buddy" of mine bought a sixer of this and was kind enough to share. I may start talking to him later on this summer.
Poured into a standard pint glass, and the beer poured up that stereotypical pale ale look, amber color, topped with a whitish head of foam. Rather decent looking.
I took a whiff of my beer, and must've made a face, because my pal asked me what was wrong. This beer smelled weird. I can't pin it down, but it was bad... I'm sure the malt and hop profile was in there somewhere, but I couldn't get past this weird stink of what I can only describe as butterscotch coated, caramel dipped margarine that had been left unattended and outside of a refridgerator for a while. I think my eyes were watering by this point.
I took a swig of the beer and it was like chewing up a piece of the crap I described above. I took another swig just to confirm the taste, and then I dumped it down the drain. I apologized to the drain.
I looked at my friend, and he calmly, without batting an eye said, "I couldn't finish it either."

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 16:35:05 | More by KrisPaulk77

KarlHungus

Minnesota

1.6/5  rDev -49.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

This beer pours a thin watery red color. The head is half an inch in height, and recedes quickly into almost no lacing. The aroma is very faint, or maybe there is no aroma whatsoever. I'm guessing the later. The taste is a nasty candy sweetness that isn't really all that strong, but somehow lingers a very long time. The mouthfeel is light-medium bodied. The carbonation is what I would consider annoyingly high, but in this case I wish it were highly to cover up some of the nasty taste. Overall, there is absolutely no way I will drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2009 00:44:11 | More by KarlHungus

ralree

Maryland

1.65/5  rDev -47.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

A: Extremely fizzy, bubbles stick to the glass. Red, cloudy, not much head, no retention or lacing.

S: Very tart and bitter, hops don't smell to great, caramel malt.

T: Really weird tart bitter flavor - way too bitter and tart! Ulgh this is terrible. The caramel in the malt tastes OK, but the other flavors overpower it with bad.

M: Way too fizzy. Hard to measure since I can barely bear to have it in my mouth. A bit oily. Slightly astringent.

D: Undrinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2010 02:21:56 | More by ralree

CheapHysterics

Pennsylvania

1.8/5  rDev -43%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

A - looks good. Amber/Bronze-ish in color with a 1 finger white head that fades to a thin ring of bubbles rather quickly.

S - sweet and a little putrid, like rotting fruit, with a bit of a burnt smell.

T - bad. initial cloying sweetness dominates, followed by a bitter, metallic aftertaste. Actually has a lot of flavor - just not good flavor. Improves a little bit as it warms, but not much.

M - thin and a bit over carbonated.

D - Hard to make it through one bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2009 04:45:31 | More by CheapHysterics

mzrebiec

Pennsylvania

2.03/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

This is a less than desirable beer. It pours a promising amber color with no head and goes down hill quickly from there. The flavors are nutty and bitter with a lack of delicious hops. The lion is infamous for producing shitty beers and this is a prime example. Stay away from this pale ale and you will be glad.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 00:26:19 | More by mzrebiec

TexIndy

Texas

2.17/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Lasered best by date on the neck (8.10.09). Was a brownish amber color with some carb streams and no lacing. It had a small beige head that quickly settled into a collar with some whisps.

The aroma was heavy burnt malt with barely any hops. Smelled like a skunked Killian's. The taste followed the aroma. Burnt taste with not much else there. Watery mouthfeel. Drain pour worthy

Overall, not a good beer. The aroma and flavor are burnt malt with a bitter aftertaste. Don't recommend. One and done.

[1x-bad]

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2009 00:13:03 | More by TexIndy

TAMU99

Virginia

2.17/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours a good looking orange. Medium, quickly dissipating head and little to zero lace. Smells of cheap beer and alcohol, some brown sugar mixed in. Taste is sharp, again with the alcohol and some present, but confused hops. In other words, it's bitter but not good. Mouthfeel is average, but the drinkability suffers from the below-average taste. If it were good we'd call it "complicated", but this is just muddled and lost. I'd avoid.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 02:20:00 | More by TAMU99

bboven

Texas

2.2/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Beautiful clear copper body with a thin head that lasts.

Hop aroma and malt are in balance, but huge diacytal (butter) aroma kills it all.

Taste is overwhelmingly astringent. Not enjoyable at all.

Mothfeel is moderately carbonated and slightly drying.

Avoid this beer. There are so many things wrong with it, fermented too warmly, grain is husky, oxidation. Great example of many flaws all in the same glass.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2009 23:18:24 | More by bboven

HURTemHIZZY

Virginia

2.23/5  rDev -29.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Just started drinking my first of a six pack for St. Patty's Day. Wouldn't usually just buy a random six pack before trying a single, but got a good price and felt like drinking something that said Irish on it.

Not sure what this is, it calls itself a pale ale but BA calls it a red. It certainly pours more like a red, with a nice deep copper color with a one and a half finger off white head that dissipates after a minute and leaves a sloght bit of spotty lacing.

Smells of caramel, and some apple. kinda sour apple, weird aroma. Can't get any hops at all from the nose.

Taste is of caramel up front, which fades quickly into an apple flavor. Slight hoppy bitterness and citrus notes present themselves next. Finishes pretty dry. Better than the aroma, still not great, though.

Medium bodied, with a nice level of carbonation. Doesn't seem to be out of date, just has a weird aroma.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2010 19:32:22 | More by HURTemHIZZY

aasher

Indiana

2.33/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Appearance: amber in color, reddish tint, little carbonation and almost no head

Smell: not very aromatic, kind of stiff, smells of a typical red or light pale ale

Taste: bland and uninspired, not really going in one direction or anything, lacks complexity

Mouthfeel: smooth with little carbonation

Drinkability: not very, lacks aroma and true flavor

I would not recommend this beer

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2010 21:47:56 | More by aasher

gabe23

North Carolina

2.38/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

A - Clear copper color with a thin head and not much lacing.

S - Some grainy malt along with a little floral hops, but diacytal is the primary aroma. Not good.

T - A nice caramel sweetness up front, with a slight hop bitterness. But an unappealing metallic taste and buttery flavor overpowers any pale ale characteristics.

M - Creamy mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. The best thing about this beer by far.

D - I'm a fan of Irish reds, but this was just simply a bad beer. I wondered if I got a old bottle, but it was well within the freshness date. I have no desire to try another to see if this was a fluke. Go for a Sam Adams Irish Red for a much more solid beer at a similar price point.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2009 02:37:06 | More by gabe23

Mosstrooper

California

2.4/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into nonic pint glass.

Appearance: Golden-orange color with a small off-white head that dissipates quickly and leaves behind no lace and a little bit of floating foam.

Smell: A grape-like sweetness dominates almost everything else. Not bad, but there's no depth.

Taste: Begins with some apple sweetness and a metallic flavor, and finishing even sweeter. Too much sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Lighter body with balanced carbonation and a watery finish.

Drinkability: This beer has potential, but lacks depth in almost every area. It's passable, but not really worth buying regularly. Not terrible, but hugely disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 01:22:09 | More by Mosstrooper

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

2.4/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This pours a clear, copper color with no head. It's aroma is fruity with bread and maybe some honey mixed in. The flavor has notes of citrus, molasses, and pine followed by a curious taste as it warms. The mouthfeel is light, paving the way for a good drinkability. Lion McSorley's Irish Red Ale is a decent beer, slightly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 03:23:08 | More by B967ierhunter177

brentk56

North Carolina

2.42/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Pours a clear lighter shade of amber with a head that is quick to fade and leaves not a trace of lace behind

Smell: Unusual aroma of grain and diacetyl - not very enticing

Taste: While there is a bitter, earthy hop element up front, the overall flavor profile is grainy with a strong diacetyl component that grows, after the swallow and into the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with low to moderate carbonation

Drinkability: I'm afraid I just don't have much positive to say about this beer so I will leave it at that

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2010 20:18:56 | More by brentk56

marlinsfan4

Maryland

2.45/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bleh, not a good beer at all. My usual beer store rarely got new beers but received some six packs of these new McSorley's and can't say it's such a good thing. I mean it isn't offensive by any means, but isn't good at all either. I had a mixed sixer in the fridge and asked my girlfriend to grab me a random one and I tried to guess what it was.. I was able to fathom "some sort of pale ale I guess" from the faint hoppiness to it but that was about it. I'd drink it if given for free, but would never purchase this on my own.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2009 03:45:36 | More by marlinsfan4

ryrust5301

Louisiana

2.45/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Appearance - A little light for a red ale. Almost bronze with orange backlights. Active carbonation shoots up into a thin misty layer of foam on top.

Smell - Not to great here either. Has a funky kinda smell, almost similar to a heineken. Faint aromas of caramel and bready malts show up in a fair amount.

Taste & Mouthfeel - Very light and watery. The flavor is very gentle and there is really not much backbone to it. Pale and caramel malts are about the only flavors present, but even they don't stick around too long.

Drinkability - No reason to ever go here again. Doesn't really offer anything to get excited about or remember. I could see where drinking it on tap in the original NYC bar could be an experience, but no need to try this out of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2009 03:53:48 | More by ryrust5301

knoxtennessee

Tennessee

2.53/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A- This was a really exciting looking pint, great coppery amber color, crystal clear, good white cap of foam.

S- All too often I get beer from a brewpub or a small craft outfit and it smells so strong of diacytel. It's butter-ish, metallic, and sloppy. Any malt aroma that would be style appropriate is masked by this weird chemical burnt popcorn smell.

T- Same as aroma.

M- slick and sticky

O- Not good. I hate it when American breweries make a bad product and call it Irish. A slight hint of diacytel is appropriate, not an overwhelming character. It tastes rushed, like they didn't give it adequate time to ferment.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2012 05:45:54 | More by knoxtennessee

infi

New York

2.55/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a glass.

A: Light amber color. About a white, one-finger head with generous amounts of bubbling lining the glass and little amount of lacing.

S: Malty with some distinctive hop aroma.

T: Fairly bitter with some earthy and bread-like tastes. A lingering metallic taste towards the end.

M: Lines the mouth, has a weird aftertaste.

D: Fairly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2009 23:00:20 | More by infi

armock

New York

2.58/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - Poured a copper color with an off white head that leasves lacing behind

S - Is of sweet malt some caramel and fruit

T - Follows the nose for the most part sweet malt with some fruit flavors

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

D - Overall I'm a little disappointed with this beer I expected a pale but come here to see that is listed as a red but didn't really get that either I don't see myself buying this one again

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2010 23:43:58 | More by armock

jdhilt

New Hampshire

2.6/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a two-finger cream head that fades quickly to a thin layer leaving some lace. Nice crystal clear amber color. Light-medium bodied and medium carbonation. Slight malty nose. Flavor has some sweetness, metallic finish with slight hoppy aftertaste. Best by May 18 2009. $1.45 for a 12oz bottle from Colonial Spirits, Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 22:57:19 | More by jdhilt

mnrider

Connecticut

2.63/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This beer comes from the famous Mcsorley's. Which is the longest running saloon in NYC, kind of cool. Their beers are brewed in Penn. This Irish Pale Ale was poured into a Pint glass.

Appearence: Amber, reddish color with a half inch of fluffy head which melts away into a paper thin head. Light carbonation.

Smell: Kind of creamy maybe malty also. Its hard to say... not the best smell from a beer.

Taste: Subtle hop taste, not much excitement goin on. Although this brew is creamy smooth and goes down easy. No indication of the ABV, i think maybe around 5%.

Drinkability: Interesting Irish Ale to try. I would not purchase again... Unless i can find it on Tap somewhere.

"Ale Is Well"

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2009 01:51:08 | More by mnrider

bilyboy65

Colorado

2.65/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Once you pour this beer and look at how good it looks, just stop. It's all downhill from there. Looks beautiful with a nice red amber color, nice head that lasts and leaves it's mark. A very thin layer of film left on the glass as well. Not much for a scent on this. A slight caramel scent, but largely dominated by a rice nose. The flavor is just as boring. Huge rice flavor and that's pretty much it. Can't really recommend this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 00:42:54 | More by bilyboy65

tbern007

Colorado

2.75/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours amber/copper. Thin head, does not last, spotty lacing.
Very little scent. Yeast, grain, a little malty.
Taste is slightly bitter malt/hop. Not much to say. Kind of grainy.
Mouthfeel is medium body, maybe slightly lighter. Tightly carbonated. A little bitter endfeel.
Not the greatest.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 00:20:17 | More by tbern007

great7dividers

Florida

2.78/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

McSorley's Irish Pale Ale has a pale copper colored hue and a very light citrus-y aroma. The mild appearance and smell characteristics were quite indicative of the overall texture and flavor. The light body of this ale makes it very drinkable, but the lack of flavor or complexity leaves its overall character quite mediocre. There is a soft, distinguished malt flavor, but it is subtle, almost to a fault. A decent Pale ale, but not much to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 20:25:20 | More by great7dividers

wcintula

New York

2.83/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Not a bad beer, but it needs work. It looked great with it's reddish-copper body with a thick light caramel-colored sticky head to top. The smell is a bit caramel-y with a light toast to it. the taste is all the with a bit of bittering hops and a slight butterscotch note on it. It's odd that there's almost no aftertaste on this beer. It's got a thick body and is a bit filling.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2011 22:10:35 | More by wcintula