McSorley's Irish Pale Ale - Pabst Brewing Company

flagmantho

Washington

3.56/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

I had this on-tap in a pint glass at the Irish Exit in New York.

Appearance: amber orange hue with light effervescence and an unfortunately minimal head. Color is good, though.

Smell: sweet malt with a light fruitiness and lightly citrusy hop aroma. Actually pretty well composed.

Taste: caramelly sweet malt with a fruity, citrusy hop character. There's also a hint of berry and herbal character. It is working for me! Not bad, but there's some diacetyl butteriness that gets in the way of really enjoying it.

Mouthfeel: medium to medium-light body with a moderate carbonation and a decent creaminess. Not too bad!

Overall: relatively tasty and drinkable. I could probably quaff quite a few of these, although the diacetyl does bother me a little bit.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2013 14:51:57 | More by flagmantho

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap in a pint glass.

A- A nice looking clear copper/amber color with a slim head that fades quickly leaving some nice lacing.

S- Doughy, biscuit and grass, semi-sweet caramel malt...and the deal breaker, butterscotch.

T- Not bad, bready and caramel malts. Slightly sweeter than it smells.

M- Pretty good body here, especially for a Pabst family brew. It is malted full, and sticky.

O- The bar that served this had no craft to offer, so I gave this a shot. Is it the same beer that I've had at McSorley's in NYC many times? I don't know. On its own, not bad. I'd try more. This beer would make a Yuengling drinker never look back.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2012 20:43:58 | More by NiceTaps

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

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear amber, nice cap off faintly off-white froth. Scent brings a balance of light caramel, toasted grain, grassy and floral hops. Moderately flavorful hop profile, floral then grassy, sweet malt backbone with light caramel and light nutty and bready qualities. Lighter side of medium bodied, fizzy and watery. Somewhat of a decent surprise, didn't expect any character, but had some nice notes that make it drinkable and preferred over the BMC crap at this particular bar.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2012 16:08:32 | More by rfgetz

JohnFatAss

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ordered on tap at my local bar and served in an ice cold pint glass.

Copper colored brew. I did not notice much of an aroma.

Sweet malty taste, very little bitterness and easy to drink.

It really hit the spot. I don't know if it was because it was served so cold, but it sure did taste good and went down easy.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2011 01:54:29 | More by JohnFatAss

9InchNails

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Copper color body. I don't know where Pale Ale comes from because this is more of an Amber copper color. Tan head that looked nice while it lasted but disapeared quite fast. Decently carbonated by the looks of the bubblage.

A bready caramel malt with the smell.

Brown sugar, caramel and bready maltiness and at the very end a little citrus. Not a bad taste.

Medium body, feels nice in the mouth. Noticeable carbonation.

I can drink a few, easy going down. Taste is good, feels good. Definitely a beer to choose if all the other beers are lame.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 03:20:53 | More by 9InchNails

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a deep copper colour, moderate white head, light lacing on the glass. Smells of malt, light hops and a caramel like sweetness. Taste is of malt, and a slight bitterness and a sticky sweet note that was mildly unpleasant. Mouthfeel is good, quite full with a good use of carbonation. Drinks OK and wasn't bad really but I dont think I'm going to revisit this anytime soon though.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 20:11:28 | More by peensteen

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

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured in a glass mug many a-time at McSorley's Tavern in NYC. I had the 12oz bottle a few times as well. Mostly clear copper body with a medium creamy off-white had. Sweet earthy and light malt aroma. Sweet earthy flavor, light malt and slight metallic hints. Medium light body with moderate carbonation. Very drinkable (perfect for binge drinking).

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2011 19:02:02 | More by CuriousMonk

nickd717

California

3.05/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Draft at McSorleys, where I think this is what the "light" beer is. Hell if I know though.

Deep clear amber pour with a lasting two finger off-white head.

Caramel and cereal grain aroma with mild earthy hoppiness.

The flavor is big on caramel, grain, and bready notes. A little herbal too, not bad.

Medium-bodied and slightly crisp with soft carbonation.

A reasonable but not exciting beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2011 19:09:23 | More by nickd717

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I believe this is the "light" at Mcsoreley's Ale House in New York City. Pours a pale orange colour with half of the glass being head. Head dissipates to a ring along the top of the beer quick enough, but still lasts until your finish your half glass (they give you 2 glasses). Lacing over some of the glass. Smells of grainy malt, almost no hops whatsoever. Very light sweetness, no bitterness in the flavour. Medium bodied ale. Easy to drink, but not all that interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2011 04:53:04 | More by kwjd

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at a Greek joint called Sartori's in central NY this beer was a clear copper color with one finger of slightly tan-colored head. The retention was fine and the lacing in broken bands. The aroma was balanced but unassertive, light hops and generic malt. The flavors, however, were really quite enjoyable! It started malty and then went into a soft hoppiness comprised of two layers, one slightly citrusy in a zest/rind kinda way and one more spicy. I also tasted hints of toasted grains and the finish was pleasantly hoppy. Lovely, without being big. Just balanced and quaffable. The body was medium-light, the carbonation good and the mouthfeel good.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2010 13:35:06 | More by thekevlarkid

mwagner1018

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Subtle pinkish orange hue to a deeper red amber color, no lacing, a small cap of light off white head on top.

S- Malty sweetness, mild apple butter, fresh apple pie with the acidity of a granny smith, interesting, but not complex, pretty one dimensional in it's malty profile, with a slight lean toward apples & citrus.

T- Up front malt sweetness, slight caramel, cream, light citrus presents as orange peel and bitter lemon, the apple cider-ish taste appears as it was in the smell.

M- Slightly slick and acidic, high carbonation, delivers pretty well.

D- It's drinkable, interesting, but not exceptional by any means, at 5.5% could be considered a sessionable beer, although there are many beers I would choose to session with besides this one. Hadn't tried it before, and it was a steal on Happy Hour prices, so figured I would check it out.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2010 06:35:36 | More by mwagner1018

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

McSorely's Irish Pale ale, found this on draft at an Irish pub and tickled my fancy.

Appears like a pale ale, a light orangish color, with a lot of creamy head and some lacework.

Soft aroma of grains, whiskey malt and a hint of alcohol.

Follows the nose with a light malt body, minerally/earthy hops. Grain/husk flavors. A mild astringency can be found throughout. Not a whole lot of hop character just a slight bitterness to round out the malts. Finishes a little on the sweet side.

Medium to full bodied and quite smooth and creamy.

A smooth drinking ale with a good mouthfeel. Not overly flavorful but a decent drinking beer for what it is.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2009 22:46:14 | More by Stinkypuss

metter98

New York

3.19/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A: The beer is clear light amber in color and has a moderate amount of carbonation. It poured with a finger high light beige head that died down but never completely faded away, leaving lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of floral and herbal hops are present in the nose.
T: The initial taste has hints of caramel and sweetness and then transitions to flavors of earthy and herbal hops with a slight amount of bitterness.
M: It feels a bit more than light-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. Hints of dryness are present in the finish.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and tastes like an average Irish Red Ale. The only real drawback was that the smell was very weak and seems like it could use stronger aromas.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 19:26:56 | More by metter98

Darkmagus82

Montana

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

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a clear copper color with a one finger white head. The head fades relatively fast to leave a lighter level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is heaviest of a bready and caramel smell with some lighter citrus and pine.

Taste – The flavor starts out of a malty taste with a good caramel backbone. As the taste moves on some of the citrus and pine hop flavors come to the tongue. They are rather light in nature but balance some of the sweet and malt quite well. In the end, some of the sweet fades and leaves a crisper flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average side with a carbonation level that is average as well. Decent of the style and makes it rather drinkable.

Overall – A decently tasty and quite easy to drink brew. While not the best it is quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 00:18:53 | More by Darkmagus82

acevenom

Louisiana

3.13/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass. Pours clear medium copper with a tall, creamy eggshell colored head. There are plenty of tiny bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. The head dissipates slowly. Some lacing is left on the side of the glass during consumption. There are some sweet malts and floral hops in the aroma. I did pick up that medicinal odor a previous reviewer spotted. There's a mild sweet breadiness to the flavor. The hops come through on the back end, but it's not very strong. It's also a bit nutty. There's a bitter aftertaste that sticks to the mouth, but fades quickly. The mouthfeel is light to medium with plenty of carbonation. Overall, this is a good beer. It doesn't really stand out from the crowd, but it's worth a try if you feel like picking up a single.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 23:07:49 | More by acevenom

KajII

North Carolina

2.9/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

[Best served in a Nonic Pint glass]

The pour was a hazy caramel copper with a large (2-3 finger) rocky cream colored head with decent retention, reducing to a thin film and a large collar which produced some good streaks of lacing.

The aroma was pretty basic of a light bread malt, floral hops and an earthy yeast and had hints of caramel, toffee and a mild medicinal odor.

The taste was a malty sweet with notes of caramel and toffee pretty much throughout with a light hoppiness at the finish. The flavor lasted a very short time with all taste of this brew fading quickly.

Mouthfeel was just a hair above light in body and creamy in texture with a soft carbonation.

Overall a decent brew, but for a Pale Ale it was just a little light in the hops department. In fact it was more like an English Ale than anything else...

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 15:09:21 | More by KajII

jimineycricket20

3.83/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed from a bottle poured into a pint glass. I think this beer gets an undue average rating. While the taste is rather mild, it lingers pleasantly and is enjoyable to drink. I think this would be a good beer for someone who is interested in acquiring an affinity for IPAs as it is not quite as hoppy yet still has the essence of an Indian Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 22:15:16 | More by jimineycricket20

chimaylvr

Rhode Island

3.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

served in tulip glass

App: nice deep amber or orange-red, slightly hazy, one finger foam, light lacing

Smell: hard to discern - faint aromatic hop aroma, maybe reminiscent of winter spice like corriander, though faint..underwhelming

Taste: good balance between malt and hop, but I'm looking for more of a punch or kick but the ph - acidity is spot on. Back end of taste is nice, an authentic red

Mouthfeel: good carbonation, full taste, pale

Overall: I respect the long tradition of this beer but truth be told they need to tweak it. It's good but not one you'd say: "Damn good beer".

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 02:53:26 | More by chimaylvr

fx20736

New York

3.03/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass, served cold.

Slightly hazy peach toned amber, 2 fingers of shortbread beige head, traces of lacing.

aroma of sweet, caramelized malt and not much else.

mouthfeel: ok

taste: bed of malt with a delicate tea like hoppiness.

notes: ok, it's beer. Drinkable. anything else?

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 20:04:45 | More by fx20736

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

3.05/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Into a pint glass:

A: bright red colored body with a small white head that lasts only a couple seconds, light carbonation surfaces slowly with some spotty lacing on the sides of the glass

S: some citrus with a bread/biscuitiness to it, some pine and earthy hops accompany in the back but are ever so light

T: bittersweet through the citrus and bread, some malty sweetness is there

M: light to medium, crisp, sessionable, no aftertaste, sticky malty finish

O: not bad, but not great, just an average Irish Red ale

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 14:22:53 | More by kangarooAdam59

hopfacebrew

Colorado

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

Poured from brown 12oz bottle to pint glass.

A - The beer pours a bright red color with a small half finger head with little retention and some lacing.

S - A pleasant citrus aroma with a bit a of biscioty/bready malt character as well as a bit of toffee and some pine and earthy hop tones.

T - The citrus flavors are first on the tongue: orange, grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon. The malty sweetness blends nicely with the fruity character of the malt and hops. Finishes crisp.

M - Thicker than I anticipated and a little chewy though also refreshing in the carbonation though it could tone the carbonation down a little.

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

D - Better than average.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 13:57:39 | More by hopfacebrew

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

NuclearDolphin

Minnesota

3.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a 16oz Pint Glass

Appearance - Dark Amber with a slightly hazy look and some moderate carbonation going on. Head is a fluffy, slightly brown, 2 finger width that stays around for a while. Lacing is fairly sticky and a little more on the spotty side.

Smell - It's got a very yeasty-bread-like smell along with some floral hops. You can also smell this very sweet, malty aroma that gives it a pretty pleasant scent.

Taste - Biscuits and yeasts are the big flavors here, but there's also a fairly noticeable hoppy taste in here too. The malts give the flavor a slight depth with adds more to the flavor. I sort of expected more complexity in terms of flavor.

Mouthfeel - Fairly light in terms of body & thickness and the carbonation is pretty light as well. It's a pretty easy on the palette as a whole.

Overall - It's a beer that's not too complex in terms of flavor, which is fine, but it leaves something more to be desired. Aside from that, it's a decent beer with no offensive qualities and it's a pretty easy drinker too and perfect for almost any occasion.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 01:59:44 | More by NuclearDolphin