Rio Blanco Pale Ale - Real Ale Brewing Company

rooost

Texas

4.83/5  rDev +40.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Most if not all of the products from RA Brewing are unpasteurized, therefor you guys that are too far from Texas or have mailed beer are not getting the best example.

Then add their flexibility within traditional styles and when compared to like style beers you get a different perception.

Taken fresh and with a clear mind (preferably in the Texas Hill Country on a spring day) Rio Blanco Pale Ale is as good as it gets!

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 20:46:32 | More by rooost

Pacostacos

4.43/5  rDev +28.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

As stated in another review, this beer tastes better locally. I drink it in Austin, Texas which is about 40 miles from Blanco where this beer is crafted.

This is a good choice. I've served it to many people from all over the world and this beer is always given high marks. It has an agreeable, satisfying taste without being overbearing. It's never going to excite a pedantic beer geek, but it's not likely to offend anyone's pallet either.

Very drinkable. Well balanced all the way through with a clean finish. Not overly complicated, a little grassy, a little citrus, not hop forward.

I like this beer with food. It makes a nice session beer. Real Ale is also known for sourcing truly quality ingredients, so this is good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 02:32:19 | More by Pacostacos

Bierschenker

Belgium

4.38/5  rDev +27.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I traded this bottle with HardTarget.

Pours in a misty peach and amber coloured beer. A small head slowly develops, and fades away just as slowly. A very thin and bubbly head stays on top. Still looks creamy.
There’s hardly any carbonation, but this beer doesn’t need that.
The beer has an overall soft odour. It has a full bouquet, while the hops are the strongest, many smaller elements bring life to this beer (peach, mint-liquorice, cinnamon,…).
Taste gives strong hops. Subtle watery bitterness. Peach, lemon and pumpkin.
Mouthfeel is strongly creamy.
The aftertaste lingers on: it’s creamy, mild and refreshing.

A super beer within it’s genre, give me more.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2006 17:39:56 | More by Bierschenker

burnerfinger

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: poured from the 12 OZ bottle into my goblet. Almost no head to begin with, what was there disappeared almost immeidatly. left a bit of noticable lacing though...

S: nice moderate hoppy smell...

T: better hops on the tongue than on the nose. But this seems all about hops to me (appropriate for an APA) no alcohol note here....and the malt is hard to discern.

M: just about perfect. medium body, carbonation just right.

D: for the price I really love this. NOT as hoppy as an over-the top APA but very respectable.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 00:48:16 | More by burnerfinger

elNopalero

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another fine Real Ale brew. Not my favorite from the regular line-up (see: Full Moon, Lost Gold), nor my favorite pale ale, but a dependable second choice. Is that faint praise? Let me qualify that statement by adding that I like my pale ales with a strong hop forward presence--which this lacks.

It pours with a nice head that quickly dissipates into a thin line of foam. Clear, clean, tan-auburn color. Sweet notes in the aroma. Little hop presence in smell or taste. A nice malt profile, however, that finishes well. It makes for a smooth drinking beer, one which stands its ground in the Texas heat. But if I had a choice--and I usually do--I'll grab the rye first.

*Update: Tastes change all the time. I know mind do. Lately I've been digging this brew more than I have any reason to.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 03:23:55 | More by elNopalero

MUSHROOMCLOUD

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +25%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - 1" cream colored fairly dense head. Hazy orang pale ale with a little golden tint. Some nice lace.

S - Caramel. Malt dominates aroma. Hint of citrus hops. Caramel dipped apple.

T - Malty. English Pale Ale maltiness. Subtle crisp hops. A little hop spice in the finish. Well balanced for an EPA.

M - Round mouthfeel. Full bodied pale ale. Relatively dry finish, not a lot of residual sweetness. Low to medium carbonation.

D - Great drinkability. Outstanding sessioner. Well made and fresh.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2006 02:16:10 | More by MUSHROOMCLOUD

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.28/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours deep honey with bronze color with effervescence& a 3 fingers+ offwhite head. Very good head head lacing & good head retention

Smell: Sweet malt & floral hops. Fruittyness grows as it warms

Taste: Sweetness followed by piney & floaral hops. Slightly bitter & floral finish

MF: Great balance, medium body & very good carbonation

Very drinkable nice APA & a super session ale. This brewery really impressed me when I was down in San Antonio

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2006 03:56:21 | More by russpowell

champ103

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a cloudy copper/orange color. A creamy two finger, tightly packed, white head forms. Good retention, and some sticky lace is left behind.
S: Soapy and oily hops up front. Citrus and pine aromas. Light malty sweetness lingers. Just not a very big aroma.
T: Citrus, pine, grassy, and floral hops up front. A nice malty finish. Sweet fruity flavors of apples and pears. Some caramel malt as well. Bread and biscuit flavors. The malt and hops balance each other out perfectly.
M/D: A medium body and low carbonation. Though it is not under carbonated at all (like many cask beers can be). Really creamy and smooth. Incredibly easy to drink. I quaffed several with no problem.

A wonderful beer on cask. So many subtle complexities, and easy to drink. The hops are more assertive up front here than in the bottle or on tap. Though it is never overwhelming. Always in balance with the great malt flavor. Real Ale indeed. Reminds me of a good English Pale Ale or Bitter. If you see this on cask, get it.

Serving type: cask

11-12-2009 04:08:44 | More by champ103

kbub6f

New York

4.22/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

There are two fingers of almost white, thick, pillowy, creamy, uneven head. The beer is almost clear and dark amber. Swoops and spots of lacing. Nose is sweet and buttery, with a little wet hay. It's kind of sick, but nice. Sweet hay in front; milky, sweet, creamy malt in the middle. It gets quite nutty in the finish: grassy, grainsy, hoppy bitter. I really like this beer. When fresh I'll even take it over the Full Moon Rye.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2004 21:14:37 | More by kbub6f

EnojysAnyBeer

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Clean and balanced, but nothing really special.

A- Amber pale ale. Transparent with a loose head composed of varying bubbles

S- Smells like a malty, bready pale ale with a good spicy hop character. hint of butter?

T- Taste is real clean and relaxed with bready malt upfront and hops to back it up.

M- Feel is exceptionally clean and smooth. Moderate body and silky bubbles

D- Drinkability is good. Goes well with just about any food.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2008 02:55:08 | More by EnojysAnyBeer

jmbranum

Oklahoma

4.18/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a pretty clear deep gold with a small head white head.

Aroma is slight and malty. Flavor is understated but balanced. More an English style Pale Ale than an APA. Nice malt sweetness, light hops but they are there. Some resiny piny notes. Fairly crisp despite it being sweeter than expected.

nice full body.

A good beer. Not my favorite from Real Ale, but still very good.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 05:15:07 | More by jmbranum

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.18/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Rio Blanco Pale Ale has a thin, off-white head and a sort of murky, yellow-orange appearance, with many lacing rings, streaming bubbles, and some relatively large chunks floating about. The aroma is very muted, but with deep inhalations, one can detect some sweet malt. The taste is of sweet, sugary, medium-roasted malt, a bit of hop sting, and bread. Mouthfeel is medium, and Real Ale Rio Blanco Pale Ale finishes mellow, easy drinking, and delicious.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 14:12:02 | More by RonaldTheriot

acrawf6

Louisiana

4.15/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Pours out a slightly hazy orange hue with a thick slightly orange head.

Smell. hops are dominant, but the saaz hops are smell quite balanced with the aroma (not overpowering). slightly citrisy, but also has a nice piney aroma to it as well.

Taste. Hops arent as present as i thought, but they still are, and it's nice. I guess i'm saying its a nice round balance in taste. Slightly fruity, but also has an earthiness to it. Hops here are a real compliment rather than the taste.

Mouthfeel is good. I think it has a very good balance, medium body- just slightly slick. Nice carbonation.

Overall I really enjoy this beer. Highly drinkable. Does it have the best hop character to it? No. But a great session beer. very nice balanced flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2006 02:09:18 | More by acrawf6

DeathbySexyBT

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Hazy amber body with a fluffy white head that has moderate retention and quite a bit of lacing.

S: Grass, lemon peel, yeast, mild hoppy aroma.

T: Looking for a classic interpretation of an English Pale Ale? Look no further. While I hold hops dear to my heart, one cannot help but appreciate this beer for its simple elegance and adherence to style. You will taste buttered whole-grain toast and mild fruit notes. Pale malts are the order of the day here, though.

M: No real complaints here. The beer comes off the palate a bit air-y but still is nice.

D: This is a very drinkable beer. I may not always drink English Pale Ales, but when I do, I drink Real Ale Rio Blanco Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2009 14:15:08 | More by DeathbySexyBT

Gagnonsux

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- Really nice orange copper color, with average head.

Smell- Hops mainly(piney), but some enjoyable sweetness underneath

Taste- Starts fairly hoppy, without too much bitterness, and finishes moderately sweet. I think I detect citrus and honey.

Drinkability- I really dig this beer right now. It is full bodied, but not too filling. I will definently buy this in the future.

Overall- A great beer from the Real Ale Company. I think this has become an instant favorite of mine.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2004 04:51:32 | More by Gagnonsux

jwc215

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to armock for this!

Best by 03.09.09:

Pours golden amber with a fluffy off-white head. Web-like lacing sticks.

The smell is grassy, lemony/citric with a grainy malty aroma.

The taste is grainy - towards caramelish - maltiness balanced by zesty lemony citrus and grassy/herbal bitterness. The Czech Saaz hops, while mild, add a nice twist to a well-balanced, mild but tasty brew.

It has a light-to medium body that is crisp and refreshing. Light, but not watery - holds together well with medium carbonation. Smooth.

An easy, yet tasty, "sessionable" ale. I like the Saaz twist, though mild it is enough to give it a "something different" character that works well here.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2009 03:34:40 | More by jwc215

drunkboxer1

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep yellow color with a white head. Leaves a good amount of lacing. Smells very "bright" I guess? Citrus, grassy hops. Pretty inviting. Those hop flavors come thru upon tasting as well, paired with a fair amount of bitterness. Malty sweetness is enough to balance it out. Clean enough finish to encourage me to have a few dozen of these. I like this beer: too many American pales go big on hops or malt, and don't balance it out.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2009 01:09:55 | More by drunkboxer1

GMB

Japan

4.1/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Real Ale is one of my favorite "craft" breweries. Their catalogue comprises excellent, unique renditions of traditional beer styles; Rio Blanco Pale Ale is no exception.

The bottle tells us that the beer is brewed with Czech Saaz hops, a variety one usually expects to find in a pilsner. This should impart a mild, peppery flavor without adding much bitterness.

The beer pours a slightly deeper amber than one usually expects from a Pale Ale. My first pour produced almost no head. I may have overcompensated when pouring the second bottle, for there exploded a very large, though somewhat thin, white head that disappeared as suddenly as it came.

The nose of this beer is intriguing. A wave of sweet roasted grains are followed by mild notes of pepper and butterscotch.

The taste is crisp and refreshing without sacrificing complexity. One usually expects a delicate, mild hoppy character from the Saaz hops named on this beer's label, but this beer delivers both bitterness and a fragrant hoppy bouquet. The Saaz hops allow flavors of moderately toasted sweet grain and butterscotch to linger on the palate, producing an overall flavor that is sweeter and maltier than many pale ales. I can't understand how some BeerAdvocate reviewers can describe this beer's hoppy characteristics as "subdued" or "held back." In this batch they are up-front and personal. Some call for ales that are "hop-forward." I'd say that "hop-centric" best describes this one.

A quick swish around the mouth produces a nice creamy foam that beautifully complements the sweetness on the palate.

I am partial to Real Ale in general, and find myself gravitating towards Rio Blanco Pale Ale when looking for a beer that is both sophisticated and drinkable. This is a versatile beer. I can sip it slowly and appreciate its moderate complexity, enjoy it with aromatic foods, or drink a few on a hot summer evening.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 01:11:30 | More by GMB

diamondc

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I got this one in one of Real Ale's sampler packs. The appearance is standard issue Pale Ale .. golden-orange pour, not that much carbonation, but the head did last all the way down to the last drop.

Couldn't smell much.. just some spicy hop aroma which is unmistakably Saaz.

Taste is bland, reminding me of slightly watered down orange juice, but drinkable thanks to the hop bitterness. Warming up just brings up a not so pleasant butter flavor, so this has to be drunk slightly cold.

Update: 06/11/08:

Upgrading old "C" grade

Something changed with my palate, they changed the recipe (doubt it ..), or maybe I just had a bad bottle on my first review.

This beer (best before Aug 08) had no trace of that butter flavor (diacetyl) and had a nice citrus aroma and taste too. A little less spicy this time around, this is a great example of an English Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2007 09:37:31 | More by diamondc

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this at The Ginger Man in Austin, TX.

Pint came with a thin but nice head that was white and almost creamy. The head did thin out, but a thin foam remained. Some nice lacing formed as you drank the beer. Beer was a light amber color with mostly orange tones... but a bit of gold shines through. No visible carbonation

Aroma was of light hops, slightly bready or dough like. Very slightly floral. Pretty fresh aroma.

Flavor is very clean and well balanced. Nice cracker/biscuit bread notes that are equally layered with some citrus hops and perfumy/floral notes. The hop bitterness is fresh and does not overwhelm and of the pale malt flavors. Finishes rather crisply and invites you back for another sip.

Sometimes BA folks ignore or lose sight of the well balanced and non-extreme APA's... I still enjoy this style and seek out the good examples. This is one of them. Does not have the depth of a Imp Stout, but it's not supposed to...

Light refreshing mouth feel and medium/light body. Carbonation bring the flavor to life, but stays out of the way.
Very drinkable. If I was stuck in Austin for a hot weekend, I'd pick up some of this.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2009 12:44:31 | More by Reagan1984

beertastegood

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear copper color with a very small, slightly rocky head. Apparent carbonation is low (I would hope so, with a label like Real Ale). Aromas of fresh-cut grass from the Saaz hops, along with a slightly sweet caramel-like undertone. Not sure what type of malt they used, but it smells like very good British malt.

The Saaz hits you over the head with its bold, assertive, distinctly grassy flavor, along with a beautiful bitterness that is really thirst-quenching. Malt is downplayed in this beer, as I would expected for an APA - however, it still makes an appearance towards the end.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is a little lower than your average American beer, which is a good thing. Wonderful dry finish with a trademark Saaz flavor left on the tongue.

Drinkability: This is a great easy drinking beer. A slightly higher alcohol content than a traditional session beer, but goes down easy nonetheless. I will be picking more of this up in the future.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2005 16:13:12 | More by beertastegood

AustinBeerLvr

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Just poured one of these from a mix six pack.

The beer pours a very clear amber/red color. Even with a fairly violent pour, it didn't have a that much head. As it's being consumed, it leaves a good amount of lacing on the glass.

The smell of this beer is pretty much fruity hops all the way. About the same for the taste, as I could sense the fruity hops all the way. I sensed a touch of honey as well. In the end, the hops really mellow out and clean things up nicely. My only complaint would be that it seems the beer's mouthfeel gets a little thin at the end, but it's by no means watery.

This is a very drinkable pale and has the advantage of not being too strong for the style. I look forward to visting the brewery in Blanco to taste one fresh on tap.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2006 02:19:06 | More by AustinBeerLvr

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a lightly hazy, amber body with a smallish, whitish head.

Smell: Nose of pale malts, grassy Saaz hops, and fine fruity notes.

Taste: Customary pale maltiness with a pinch of sugar sweetness. Pleasant fruitiness displaying flavors of apricot and even a bit of melon. Saaz hops bring a spicy taste of lemongrass as well as a mild, slight bitterness. Short, bittersweet, but crisp finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: A tasty, well-balanced, highly drinkable pale ale utilizing Saaz hops instead of the standard American hop profile. I can dig it. This one stands to lose much of its subtle charm due to lack of freshness, so, provided you can find a fresh sample, I rather recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2008 20:13:22 | More by ChainGangGuy

aristeros

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into my Bodum pint. Pours golden, with one finer of white head and good lacing. Good clarity to the beer. Smells of floral hops, some sweet malts, and cut grass.

Slightly sweet with a strong malt backbone. Low bitterness, with a crisp finish. It'd be a great summer beer. Watery mouthfeel, low ABV. Definitely wish I had six of em, rather than just two. Not quite as good as the pale ale with rye by the same brewery.

Part of a mixed six Real Ale sampler.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2010 02:53:42 | More by aristeros

Dubblebock

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This sample was the second of the Real Ale brews that I had tried out of their sampler pack. Real Ale Brewing Company is a small craft brewer located out in Blanco, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Cool labels on the product, recycleable packaging, environmentally conscious local brewery.

The beer poured exceptionally well, leaving a thickly constructed head that lasted for quite a while. Orange colored, cloudy with floating sediments, very inviting appearance. Excellent carbonation. Very nice nose, with an almost fruity essence to it.

The taste was very balanced between the malts and the hops. This beer uses Saaz hops, and they add a hint of spice to the overall taste of the beer. Tart hops tingled the tongue while the malts brought the whole thing together. Faint fruit sensations kept coming to the fore. Plums maybe. Very smooth and drinkable. Good mouthfeel to this sample. It had a lot of body and character.

Good drinkability. It would be easy to lay a few of these down at one sitting. Would make a great session beer. I'd pair it with chicken or pork dishes.

An excellent offering from Real Ale. They put a lot of thought into this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2004 21:55:38 | More by Dubblebock