Philadelphia Pale Ale - Yards Brewing Co.

theWrkncacnter

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap in Philly. A: good head, lot of sticky lacing. Nice color somewhere between amber and copper. S: Not much to smell, there's a tiny note of some citirusy hops. T: sort of a starter IPA. As a pale ale this is pretty spot on. There's a small hop profile but what is there is very good. Slight earthy malt undertones with slight sweet hop dryness. M/D: Nicely carbonated. Goes down easy, great beer to drink if you want to throw back a bunch but don't want to drink crap beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2009 22:45:26 | More by theWrkncacnter

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in an American pint glass)
A- This beer has a slight hazy orangeish-yellow body with a gentle carbonation of tiny bubbles. The head is a bubbly snow white head that sticks to the glass a moment before sliding back into the beer.
S- The fresh hops aroma has tangerine and orange juice aromas with a soft plastic note to the green herbal finish.
T- The green hop bite has a soft dandelion bitterness and a cinnamon hint to it. There is a soft dry pale malt flavor that has a hint of sulfur bite to the finish. The hop bitterness lingers for just a moment after the finish.
M- This beer has a light mouthfeel with no alcohol heat.
D- This beer has a nice aroma start but turns a bit sharp. The hops in the taste are mostly bitter with not much flavor but some depth in the flavor that is there.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2009 22:02:04 | More by rhoadsrage

SpdKilz

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

In my BOTM club.

Appearance - Pours a yellow gold with over an inch of white head that dissipates at a medium pace and leaves decent lacing.

Smell - Malty and bready up front and then a hint of citrus and hops pokes through at the tail end.

Taste - As it smells, very malty and bready with a hint of lemon citrus. It finishes with just a touch of hoppy flavor.

Mouthfeel - Light bodied with decent carbonation. Very crisp finish.

Drinkability - Very much so. Nothing is "phenomenal" about this beer, but it sure is something you can quaff down. At such a low ABV, it is sessionable. Again, nothing special about it but nothing horrible about it either.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2009 22:30:22 | More by SpdKilz

thesyko56

Georgia

3.55/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reived through beermonthclub.com

A: Very light yellow not typically seen in a pale ale.

S: Very sweet citrus hops.

T: A mild bitterness. Very sweet and smooth taste.

M: Lighter bodied but good carbonation.

D: Very drinkable easily a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2009 03:13:27 | More by thesyko56

donniecuffs

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass, orange/gold with a finger of white head. Mildly carbonated; not surprising for a cask offering. I know that many cask offerings of this beer in the past have been dry-hopped, but I forgot to ask, as the smell certainly came through with some fresh pine, in addition to the expected grapefruit/lemon/orange. Very subtle biscuit in the aroma, but the taste revealed a little more bready maltiness. All of the citrus and biscuit really hits you at first, but my knock is that it disappears quickly. Not all that impressive of a finish. As for the mouthfeel, it was very thin, but this certainly made for a sessionable beer.

Serving type: cask

11-13-2009 20:00:24 | More by donniecuffs

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks again to edbeer for the opportunity. Served in a standard pint. Poured a translucent gold with a rocky, bright white three inch head. Some floaties present in solution. Head eventually settles into a consistent quarter inch cap; delicate, textured strands of lacing were revealed during the session. Nose is mild - a light floral hops presence is about all I get. Taste is somewhat muted - pale malts, some citrus and a little bready. Mouthfeel is light-bodied but the fizzy carbonation levels make it seem a little bigger than it actually is - culminates in a clean finish. Easy drinking session beer. The sum is definitely more than its individual parts on this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2009 01:53:55 | More by Jwale73

Ezekiel81923

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased a case at the Beeryard. Chilled and poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: A pale yellow/gold color with a pretty lively foam head rising to the top of the glass. Some pretty active carbonation bubbles going off on in the glass.

Smell: Sweet citrus and grapefruit hops are pretty much the only thing in the nose. A very pleasant aroma.

Taste: Some light biscuit/bready malt flavors but mostly citrus and grapefruit hops. Not very balanced, but the hops are pretty laid back and its still a light and refreshing beer. Nice bitterness to it too.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation on the tongue and a lasting hop bitterness as it goes down. Quite nice.

Drinkability: High. Very light in body, ABV and the hop bitterness and flavors are subdued to the point where you could drink this all night.

This may not be "to style" but I really enjoy this beer. This is probably going to become my go to session beer, especially given the price around here.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2009 01:32:20 | More by Ezekiel81923

thain709

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A bright golden body with a small white foamy head...the head disappears rather quickly...some lacing is left

S - The nose is dominated by sweet, grapefruit hops...bright and fresh

T - This has an interesting taste...the sweetness from the citrus presents its self up front...it then lingers into a very Earthy flavor...some grassy and grainy characteristics come out...as well as a biscuit malt flavor...the grapefruit flavor comes back and the hops provide a slight bitterness towards the end...interesting

M - Light bodied...clean, crisp, and refreshing

D - This is a great summer beer...a very interesting taste for an APA...but it works (for me at least)...the grapefruit stands up and pairs nicely with the Earthy flavors present in this beer...the IPA from Yards is good for a hop fix

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2009 01:14:22 | More by thain709

pwoods

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to NjpadreFan for the brew!

12oz. brown bottle poured into an imperial pint.

A: Pours a grapefruit rind yellow, hazy. Moderate white head on the pour that leave less than a skim and only a bit of lacing.

S: Very light citrus and grassy hops. Hops don't pop at all and are over balanaced by the light biscuity and husky malts. Not a lot going on.

T/M: Bitterness is even a bit low for an APA. The hop flavor comes out a bit more here. Some light citrus and floral, grassy hops.. not a much but pleasant. The malts come in with a touch of sweetness but also dries it out a bit. Body is medium light with good carbonation.

D: Low ABV and drinks easy. It has a few flaws but not terrible at overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2009 03:08:51 | More by pwoods

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz.

Pours a light lemon wheat gold with a thin white head that all but disappears quickly.

Smells citrusy and grainy, kind of a fresh smell.

Tastes interesting...like a hint of lemon over an odd, fresh grain taste. Its not bitter at all but not sweet or tart either.

Mouthfeel is thin and relatively watery. The carbonation is basically not noticeable.

This beer is interesting. I've had APAs before but not one that tasted quite like this. The abv makes it very easy throw back. Its definitely not bad and worth a try for anyone looking for a light, easygoing ale to session.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 22:58:46 | More by Cylinsier

thecarster1

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

a- bottle poured into a pint, one finger head that vanished quickly leaving a nice layer of lacing a mix of large and small bubbles, lace sticks around a long while, load of carbonation, pale yellow color.

s- bitter grapefruit, lemon, very floral, sweet, not sure i've ever smelled an apa like this.

t- odd for an apa, very crisp, crackers, biscuit, no real malt profile that i could pick up, tangy hops, finishes very dry, not very balanced for an apa.

m- little on the thin side, good bit of carbonation, lingering bitterness.

d- for me it's just ok, when i grab an apa i want a nice balance between malt and hops and this didn't deliver, in all fairness on the label they call this a 'non traditional style', this just didn't hit the spot for me unfortunately.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2009 21:00:53 | More by thecarster1

DIM

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on-tap at Citizen's Bank Park while watching Cole Hamels two-hit the Giants.

a: This was a slightly chill-hazed golden color. It was served to me with a nice one inch foamy head.

s: Bready malts, not very sweet. Hop bitterness in the form of grapefruit with a little pine tingle.

t: The malts were very light and bready or biscuity, not all that sweet. Not what I'm used to, but it works very well. The hop finish tastes of grapefruit and is pretty bitter without being obnoxious.

m: Slightly slick body with long lasting, creamy carbonation. The lingering bitter grapefruit was very pleasant.

d: I love all the good beer choices at CBP, but I stuck to these last night. Perfect ballpark brewand one of the better APA's I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2009 10:43:05 | More by DIM

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark golden yellow color with a 2.5 finger frothy white head that slowly fades into a lasting ring and cap, leaving splotches of lacing along the glass.

Biscuity malt aroma with hints of grass and straw with some graham cracker malt and a nice hop presence.

Lower end of medium body with a nice pilsner/ bicuity malt backbone and a decent hop presence for the style. Clean and very drinkable with a crisp subtle hop dry finish.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2009 01:47:30 | More by corby112

UDbeernut

New York

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap poured into pint glass

a: light golden color, 1/2" head with good retention. light lacing cap

s: crisp citrus and flowery hops. light malt

t: clean flavored APA with light malt balanced well with citrus and flowery hop additions. slight lemon quality to the beer. Very nice!

m&d: light bodied, very drinkable session beer.

cheers!!!

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2009 23:32:10 | More by UDbeernut

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I got this in the Yard's variety case. I poured it into a pint glass.
Appearance: The body is a crsytal clear golden color. The head is a bright white color, small sized bubbles, great 3 fingers of head, super lacing and stupendous retention. Besides the beautiful look, it bears a stricking resemblance to an American light lager.
Smell: The aromas are grapefruit, pine resin and more grapefruit.
Taste: The flavors are exactly the same as the nose: grapefruit, pine resine and more grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: The body is medium Roth a very edgy feel.
Drinkability: This beer is tremdously drinkable.
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2009 23:39:31 | More by treehugger02010

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

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

The color is clear light gold color with a nice foamy white head with some lacing.

The smell is sweet, a little floral & hoppy with some grains flavor.

The taste is light and sweet. A really crisp citrus flavor that stays with you after the first sip. Is a good summer, a nice citrus flavor with a tease of lemon and a good hoppiness to the back end. A little bit bitter to even things out.

The mouth feel on this beer is light. It would made for a good summer bear or a good food pairing beer for it's lightness and it's flavor. It goes down easy and quite refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2009 03:23:42 | More by Duhast500

DoubleJ

California

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Fox & Hounds, inside the Desmond Hotel (Malvern, PA). On to the beer:

Pineapple yellow color in the body, with good head retention on the top. Speaking of pineapple, I get that note in the aroma on a perfumy scale, along with soft fruit skins. A clean pale, it mixes different fruits with a zest of pineapple. Low in carbonation, light, easy to kick back, and cleaner in taste. I could certainly session this beer if it were readily available to me.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2009 01:45:13 | More by DoubleJ

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I am surprised that there are not more "Cask" reviews for this beer. Not only is it Yards' flagship beer, it also was routinely avalable on cask at Dawson Street Pub in the Manayunk area of PHL. That may still be the case, it is just that I have not visited for some time.

It was handed to me from the hand-pump with a finger of dense, bone-white head with excellent retention that would have made a A&W root beer (thick-headed) weep. Zounds! The color was liquid gold with NE-quality clarity. Mr. Pendyck is always talking about his casks "falling bright" and this was it. Yoi! Nose had a definite hops presence (OK, I'll cop to cheating up at this point and looking at the description which had been sent along) - "pilsner malt, crisp and hoppy, bursting with citrus flavors and aromas". Agreed. It had a very grapefruit nose with the same intense grapefruit flavor on the tongue. Mouthfeel had a really creamy quality, almost like an N2 pour. Finish had a more orange taste than grapefruit. Man, was this good!

Serving type: cask

07-31-2009 19:53:01 | More by woodychandler

magnj

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Update: Tried another 6-pack of this and I really enjoy it, more so than my original review reflected. Adjusting scores.

Thanks to mf1462 for the bottle, part of the Summer 2009 Homebrew swap.

a - Clear yellow body a few shades darker than BMC. Creamy off white head floats on top, few bubbles, good lacing.

s - Smells crisp. Floral and citrus hops and a light grain bill, little or no yeast aroma.

t - Quite mild for the style, typical hop profile but very much on the low end of bitterness. Grassy, floral and citrus point towards late Cascade additions. Balance is good but it's a tad watery. Ends dry with English style malt sweetness and grassy hops. This is a delicate brew that will challenge your taste buds to pick out subtle flavor.

m/d - Thin for the style, a bit too thin for my liking. But really drinkable/sessionable. A nice beer, reminds me of something a brewpub would put out for the masses.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2009 22:23:33 | More by magnj

emsroth

New York

4.38/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle. Brewed in late march.

App: Slightly chunky 1.5 finger head. True gold with a slight haze. Loads of bubbles.

Smell: Fruity/floral hops with a noticeable bitterness. I'm not a fan of smelling the bitterness beforehand.

Taste: Light malt taste upfront followed by a strong citrus flavor. Low bitterness and a slight mineral taste. The best APA I've had in terms of flavor. This is what I think an APA should be, not the hop-bomb stuff the west coast puts out. Could perhaps use a bit more in the malt zone, but at 4.6% a low malt profile is to be expected.

Wonderfully light in body with a slight film that is rather pleasant. I could have another, and that's saying alot since APA's are not my usual brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2009 20:31:21 | More by emsroth

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Orangy Yellow in color with a quick puff of carbonation that disapears quickly but leaves a nice, full, fluffy head.

S - Sweet and grainy

T - Cereal qualities (grains, slight nuttyness) with a little citrusy zest. Decent hop character but lacks a punch.

M - Light body, crisp and clean with maybe a tad too much carbonation.

D - Light Pale Ale that lacks the hoppy punch. Good choice for session drinking.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2009 18:42:07 | More by rfgetz

StarlightSeraph

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at a function at the Makefield Highlands golf club.

Appearance: Poured a clear, dark amber - surprisingly dark for a pale ale. A finger or two of head. It was poured into a plastic cup (open bar, what do you expect) so not much lacing. Still, a decent looking beer.

Smell: Wow...nice, citrusy hops - definitely a nice and hoppy APA. A mild sweetness, but the hops dominate. Some piney notes. Smells a *lot* like Bells Two Hearted, and that was the first thought that came to mind.

Taste: Decently citrusy - a lot like it smells. However, there's more of a generic bitterness to the taste, and the citrus takes a back seat. I'm guessing this one was dry hopped? Either way, it's a solid, good tasting beer.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation, and a good level of thickness - not too thin or too heavy.

Drinkability: I was very, very impressed by this beer - this one is only 4.3 percent??? A lot of flavor packed into this one, and it smells great. I tried it on a whim, and I'm glad I did. Great flavored, easy drinking pale ale, and one you could have a couple of with no problem. I'll definitely look for this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2009 02:26:46 | More by StarlightSeraph

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

P- Brass Rail

A- A gorgeous fluffy marshmallow head that is 2 fingers. a lemon grass yellow color.

S- mostly malt in the smell but i do get some hints of lemon zest, a flower like smell as well.

T- A strong lemno zest in the flavor hits the tongue hard. A sour citrus/floral flavor as well. Also has some earthy tones as well like lemon grass.

M- a sour malty pale ale feeling. A typical pale with some earthiness and citrus.

D- an easy beer to consume. A good sessionable beer. A sixer would be nice if you have to do some "yard" work.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2009 18:33:07 | More by Dodo2step

IMincedTheKing

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The pour was yellow gold with almost no head.

The nose is mostly malts with a vague fruitiness.

On the palate, it's sweet but well-hopped. Hints of tropical fruits and a good amount of spicy hops. It's very tasty with a mild astringency on the finish.

This is quite drinkable, and I'd been looking forward to trying it. I must say, great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2009 06:13:32 | More by IMincedTheKing

Lexluthor33

New York

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Amber color with a slight haze. Medium sized head that left a small lace.

The aroma of wheat with citrus hints and some light hops.

The taste followed the nose with wheat,hops and some citrus hints along with a medium base of malts.
The feel was very light,medium carbonation with an overall smooth and refreshing feel.

Notes: A really good session beer that I thoroughly enjoyed at City Tavern in Philly.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2009 00:14:51 | More by Lexluthor33