Philadelphia Pale Ale - Yards Brewing Co.

Beertarded

Pennsylvania

1.95/5  rDev -47.7%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Had this one on tap at the Standard Tap in Philly. Pours a hazy light yellow with a thin head. A tiny bit of lacing. Disturbing fruity cat urine scent, with just a hint of circus peanut and pine. Nightmarish bready watery flavor. Non-descript mouthfeel and long finish.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 18:18:35 | More by Beertarded

ferrouswolf

Delaware

4.2/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Case from the brewery; bottled 11/08/12. Poured into a 12 oz straight sided glass.

Appearance: a pleasant gold color with some haze. One finger head fades to a ring with patches and minimal lacing.

Smell: citrus and some maltiness from the pilsner malts.

Taste: tart hop bite fading to fresh citrus and tropical fruit, with a hoppy dry finish. A little bit of malt here and there, but this is a hop-driven beer. There's some ale yeast fruitiness here which helps support the hop fruitiness. The bitterness is pleasant and not overpowering.

Mouthfeel: Medium-to-heavy mouthfeel for an APA, but it goes well with the fruitiness. Fine bubbles tingle on the tongue.

Overall: This is a very tasty pale ale, and it's reasonably priced if you can get it. If you lick your lips after a sip, you'll get another shot of hop bitterness. If you drink it without food, you get the benefit of burping the hop flavor back up. I'd love to try a black-and-tan with this and a really chocolatey beer, or maybe half this and half framboise.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 00:32:14 | More by ferrouswolf

mcontr2

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured with about 1 3/4" head.Body was a dark, goldish hue.
Smell: gave off a grapefruit/citrus aroma with some floral undertones. Good balance of cascade hops..
Taste: ahh PPA, philadelphia (pride) pale ale. Being the only brewery in Philadelphia, it makes a strong statement against the other pale ale's of the surronding area's breweries(specifically Stoudt's pine-esqe Pale Ale). Great balance of hops and malts. Picked up on a grape/green apple flavor with a sharp finishing bitterness that dried the palate.
drinkablity: maybe a little too hoppy for a pale ale session beer

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2005 04:42:38 | More by mcontr2

kpw1000

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +30.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I was surprised to see the other reviewers giving this beer such low marks.

I picked up this brew via a Yard's Variety Pack case (12 oz bottles) and found it absolutely delicious. I've kept it cool, perhaps a little too cool for this style (I'm guessing I'm keeping it around 40-50°).

I usually drink this in an Elizabethan beer glass (funnel-shaped). It keeps the head to a minimum but affords a wonderful view of color.

It's bit hoppier than I expected for this style---felt almost like an IPA---but I may be influenced by English-style Pale Ales. (I note that Troeg's entry in this style was also pretty hoppy.) That's not a complaint; I like hoppy. Just didn't expect as much of it. (It's been a while since I've had a Three Floyd's Alpha King, but I don't recall that as quite as hoppy.) And, despite the hops, it's not bitter.

Mouthfeel is delightful, a clean, crisp feel.

I expect to continue stocking this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2006 20:39:02 | More by kpw1000

ambiguator

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love this beer.

Well balanced hops and malts. Depending on what I'm eating, or my mood, I find myself noticing one or the other more prominently at different times. I think this speaks to beer's balance.

Hands down the most reliable, best valued beer in Philadelphia. Yards always works with quality ingredients to produce fine quality products like this original PPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 21:59:21 | More by ambiguator

QuarterHorse

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This brew pours a a golden straw color with a bright white head.

The aroma is citrusy, mostly lemon, with a hint of apricot and a bit of grass.

There is a very mild cracker like malt flavor, followed by a citusy zing, which settles into an oh so faint breadyness with some bitterness.

A decent pale ale. Maybe a bit light on the hops for an American representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 02:47:56 | More by QuarterHorse

prismbeer

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This is a good beer to start the night out with. It has a good hop aroma and is quite tasty. Nothing fancy - just a solid plae ale. We actually keep a case of yards here at the brewery most of the time since we aren't yet bottling and like a nice local beer after we're done brewing.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2010 15:37:21 | More by prismbeer

SuncrestBeerMen

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Absolutely the best smelling beer on the planet. The citrus and evergreen smell is incredible. The flavor is very balanced, not overly bitter which makes it an incredible session beer. Always have to have a case on hand. I have found that many people who don't care for hoppy beers still like this beer. But then again, I have talked to many people who don't care for the beer at all. I guess its one of those love'em or hate'em beers and I definitely love it. My favorite every day beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2011 03:19:31 | More by SuncrestBeerMen

danbouch10

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into glass...

A: Light golden color with a head that lasted long into the enjoyment of this beer.

S: Pleasant almost floral like aroma - very pleasing

T: Seems to be just the right amount of hops and citrus like flavor.

F: Slight bitterness but not too overpowering

D: Goes down nice and easy - recommended as a good beer to start the evening with.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 19:13:15 | More by danbouch10

virtualbeggar

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +32.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale is an exceptional entry in the pale ale style. Perfectly hopped for a pale ale with some simple citrus notes, possibly even approaching into IPA territory, but with a light crisp mouthfeel that clearly establishes this product as a more "drinkable" beer that can be enjoyed sip by sip or by someone who's digging in their heels for a long night.

I can see why some people are giving this beer lower marks, but its subtlety is part of its charm. Spend some time enjoying its balance instead of looking to get your tastebuds blown away, and you'll be very surprised.

This one of my favorite beers ever. Period.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2009 22:13:44 | More by virtualbeggar

ajfalcone13

New Jersey

4.68/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I've been keeping this in my kegerator for the last year. Hands down one of my favorite all-around beers and always a crowd pleaser. The pilsner nose can be strong so I usually serve it in a pilsner glass. A great crisp pale ale with a touch of grapefruit/citrus.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 12:57:23 | More by ajfalcone13