Summit Extra Pale Ale - Summit Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A serviceable pale that went with turkey and grilled veggies for a most wonderful lunch. Light cream head and some cream in taste that was otherwise dry, with citrus hops taste and dry aftertaste.Thanks feloniousmonk for the sample.
Had 4.5 years later on tap at Bue Nile, was a bit better -noticed aroma, golden orange colour with white head and lots of lace.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2004 03:42:42 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nearly translucent orange-amber, by far more orange than amber, topped by a good looking cap of sticky beige foam that started out at three fingers and is slowly deflating. Better than average lace in disrupted sheets. The nose is slightly underpowered, but isn't that far out of line for the style. It's an enticing mixture of fruity-herbal (peaches, nectarines) and citric hops, slanted more toward the former.

This is a decent, respectable version. It's well-balanced with caramel malt and hops playing off one another nicely. Malty sweetness is cut by hoppy bitterness, assuring that neither one makes much of a statement. I would call it bland and boring, but there's a bit too much flavor for that to be the case. It is a rather generic APA though. Modestly dry, flinty finish. The body and the amount of carbonation are neutral, as middle-of-the-road as the rest of the beer.

Summit's version of a pale ale isn't bad, but neither does it stand out in any way. Even the label is unexciting. I hate to be too hard on this beer, but it screams 'average'. (Yeah, my average is greater than 3.0, so sue me. Yours is too).

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2004 14:49:36 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Pint Glass and served right out of the fridge

A - Poured a nice deep orange tinted amber which actually took me a bit by suprise as I did not think it would be as dark as it was. There was a nice two finger high head of white foamy lace on top which gradually settled down and left behind a thin veil of lace across the top and a good amount of residual side glass lace throughout the session. Adequate carbonation was visible streaming up from the bottom throughout the session.

S - The aroma was light at first, had to give it a few minutes to really warm and soften up to let the aroma out. The smell was very grainy, lots of malts here with a nice bready feel to it, very light though, nothing overwhelming by any means. A nice light hop kick to it in the back end lightened it up a bit and deepend the profile providing a much needed contrast to the grain. Not bad overall and essentially what you would expect from a pale ale.

T - The flavor was light, again about what one would expect given the style. A nice big grainy base was again clearly evident. Lots of bready and cereal malty flavors were the first thing that came across and following them was a nice earthy flavor that mellowed a tad. There was a nice little bit of hop bite that started to come though now and again this was very welcomed. Nice light floral hops, hints of orange and lemon were there, but way in the back, you had to search for them, just enough to lighten up the flavor a touch. The finish was decent, clean, quick and dry with no real long lingering flavors.

M - Very light bodied ale, as again one would expect given the style. Nice carbonation lasted throughout the entire session giving it a nice refreshing like feel to it. The finish was very crisp and clean, again giving this more of a light and refreshing type feel to it. Very much typical for the style.

D - Outstanding sesion ale. The flavors were light, but good, low ABV, and nice carbonation meant this one could be drank all day long with no issue. I could have easily thrown down a six pack without blicking an eye. Not the best pale ale, but definitly drinkable.

Overall this was pretty much a standard pale ale, a little nice kick to it, but pretty standard. Nothing I could call out for being bad in anyway, just seemed to not have enough to put it over the top. I dont know that I would seek this out, but it would certainly not be a bad one for gameday six packs or barbecues. A good call would be how I would rate this.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2008 01:33:22 | More by mikesgroove

brentk56

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Arrives at the table with a clear copper color and a modest head that, nevertheless, drapes lacing like a champ

Smell: Grainy aroma with a hint of toffee

Taste: Grainy flavor at the outset but adds a bit of floral hop by mid-palate; also arriving just before mid-palate is a a budding toffee sweetness that, after the swallow, blossoms to provide a distinct sweet tone in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Easy to drink but definitely a middle of the road beer; also, I wasn't enamored with the grainy aspect

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2009 03:01:12 | More by brentk56

BEERchitect

Kentucky

2.8/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

"Extra" Pale Ale...Is this the new word for "Weak" Pale Ale? If so, then this review will be easy. This beer is a watery Sierra Nevada Pale Ale--end of review. I guess they brewed a regular old Pale Ale and threw in twice as much water, then market it as something special. Genius! Actually, the beer tastes fine from the tap, but the under-malted, under-hoped, blandness lets metalic, grain, grassy, fizzy character show from the aroma to the finish. I can drink it, but really prefer better.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2006 12:37:17 | More by BEERchitect

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A hazy, orangish-gold body reveals plumes of slow-rising tiny bubbles beneath a creamy, off-white head. The retention is good, and it retains a thin creamy surface covering throughout most of the pint. Some spotty lace also adds to its appearance. The nose offers a pleasant and welcoming combination of gently citrusy hops and soft, caramel-tinged malt. The body is medium; and it's gently crisp in the mouth due to an exceptionally fine, median carbonation. A solid bitterness is present at the outset; wrapped in a thin blanket of sweetish, caramel laced malt and grassy/mildly lemony citrus hops. It finishes with a lingering maltiness that fades to reveal a long-lasting bitterness that lays at the back of the throat. Very well done!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2003 15:00:14 | More by NeroFiddled

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

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

A dark amber/ copper color, and thin , disappearing head. Sharp, vibrant hops abound here...citrus fruits and more, grapefruit, apricot, cinnamon, sharp cheese? Long, exciting finish, the hops mingle among the taste buds, the lips, and gums. Great bitterness on top, medium body, warm and tingly. Thoroughly satisfying, but not particularly remarkable. A reliable tasty treat.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2003 21:55:33 | More by feloniousmonk

zeff80

Missouri

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a orange/amber color with a tan, soapy, two-finger head. It left good trails of lace.

S - It smelled quite grassy and floral. A mild malt nose, too.

T - It has a grassy/hoppy taste with a nice blend of roasted malt. It has a bitter kick.

M - It was crisp and smooth. A light to medium-bodied beer.

D - Nothing extraordinary about this one. But is a nice choice at restaurants that serve nothing but BMC.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2008 16:18:24 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Acquired via trade from turfy so a big “Thank You” goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep gold color, with a large off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a spotty lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains grassy hops, light caramelized malts, some citrus and some honey.

T: The taste starts out bready with a hearty but not too heavy malt character that is followed by some sweet flavors of honey, caramel and a bit of citrus. The hops presence is decent and is more subdued than the smell leads you to expect, but it brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer wroth drinking for a while.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 01:14:55 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.5/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours light caramel with a 2 fingers+ offwhite head. Very good lacing & good head retention

Smell: Piney hops & fruitiness

Taste: Nice up front bitterness followed by big fruttyness & malt. Finishes bitter & satisfying

MF: Great balance & carbonation, good heft to it

Really sessionable ale IMHO. Pretty impressed I must say

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2006 04:02:11 | More by russpowell

Gavage

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours an orange color with a 2" head that falls slowly to a thick surface foam. Some moderate lace develops.

Smell: light orange citrus and some soft hop bitterness is pleasant on the nose.

Taste: mild caramel tones, orange citrus, pears, and a soft bitterness make up a decent version of the style.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp to start and finish, a bit dry late. Medium bodied. Aftertaste is very short.

Drinkability: easy to quaff this one. If you are in the mood for an extra pale ale, this one will hit the spot.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2009 19:32:18 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours light orange amber with a rich off-white head that descends to a healthy-sized cover. Sheets of lacing stick.

The smell is of light orange/citrus with biscuity malt - there is an "English"character. It has a coppery/metallic touch to it.

The taste is tea-like, herbal, slightly metallic. A biscuity malt balances it, with a honey-like sweetness. There is a dirty penny finish.

The carbonation is high/aggressive, making it fizzy and wiping out the taste. There is a seltzer-like aftertaste.

A light pale ale with some hint towards "English-style", but with aggressive carbonation. Nice lacing/head retention, decent smell. That's all. An attempt at an English ale that turns pretty seltzery.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2009 23:24:31 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I see this beer around Minnesota so much, its easy to forget that its a quality brew. It's got a fairly unique (and its hard to find something unique these days) blend of malt sweetness with rich, roasted caramel that's complimented by a balanced bitterness of grassy hops. It's a great session beer and readily available around the area. Thank you Summit.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2008 23:55:03 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A bottle from a six pack purchased at Navarre Carryout, a little dusty and old I think.

A: The EPA is a golden amber color, a brown-leaning hue that retains its translucence. Atop the ale, a small head on pour does very little.

S: The ale has a distinct biscuity caramel aroma, chewy in its breadiness. Lingering in the background are a few hop notes, mostly citrus but definitely mild.

T: Caramel malts and treacly, degraded hops define the ale. The caramel is semi-sweet, built atop a chewy biscuit malt base. The sweetness is a little too full at times. Alongside the caramel, the degraded hops have spent a little too much time in the bottle. Their flavors have taken a barleywine-like twist that is not a good thing.

M: The mouthfeel is malty, full and chewy at times, with a bitterness that is nowhere near where it used to be.

D: I had a bottle and a half, choosing the pour the last half when the zest for finishing it was gone.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2010 00:48:01 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Draft at Mad Mex Robinson. Appearance: Copper orange nice cream colored thin leaves sparse lacing. Aroma: Piney slightly floral hop aroma nice sweet toasted malts balanced with nutty edge. Taste: Great hoppy pale ale nothing to extreme some healthy bitterness with a pieny bready mix good stuff. Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied evenly carbonated goes down smooth. Drinkability: Sessionable for an evening or a nice starter to adjust the palate to hops.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2006 18:58:50 | More by WVbeergeek

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.13/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured out to a pumpkin orange color with a nice dense foamy head. Low carbonation. Not much of an aromabut hops and sweetnesss present. Taste was smooth and mild, with an average hop bitterness. Some grain and malt notes mixed in for good measure. Decent mouthfeel, could've benefited from better carbonation to present the flavors a bit more. Good drinkability. Not as good as a Washington or So Cal IPA for sure. Decent.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2008 02:59:25 | More by barleywinefiend

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a warm golden light copper body with a white creamy head and a good carbonation.

S- The smell of green spicy hops had a soft pale malt note that was a bit dry.

T- The taste of light caramel toasted malt with fresh pale malt had a note of dry malt in the back ground. There was a nice crisp pine resin bitterness with a citrus note in the background.

M- This beer had a medium mouthfeel with a slight slippery texture.

D- The big hops had a nice complexity and a smooth malt flavor in the background.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2006 18:37:17 | More by rhoadsrage

Billolick

New York

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle,no type of freshness dating evident. Golden copper, moderate head,carbonation and lacing. Nose is slight hoppyness. middle of the road is how this APA strikes me. moderate hoppyness, grainy,citric and also piney qualities. Medium malt base, adds up to a nicely balanced,if fairly dull brew. Crisp and pleasing, this one will do just fine,but really nothing too exciting here.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2004 02:35:17 | More by Billolick

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I recently had this beer on tap. 4 of them in succession. (It was 2 for 1 at the time). And it was better than my previous experience from a bottle. These jottings are off the top of my head.

It had a nice appearance (even though the mug was frosted). Sniff was hoppy, but not quite as hoppy as I like. The taste was nice overall. I still think that this beer has been reworked over the past couple of years. I remember more of a citric hop presence and bitter aspect a few years ago. That said, it was an enjoyable brew. Drinkability was high (as my 4 in an hour can attest to). Very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2002 21:51:46 | More by Bighuge

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.08/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

A decent copper color, likewise lacing, retention, carbonation. Aroma is a little macro-ish and light on the hops.

Taste is light as well, nothing substantial. A degree of hop presence. Maybe two. Really carbonated. A reasonable beer, introductory level, but mildly enjoyable. Its a summer thing for me, and that's about the only time to venture this way anymore.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2010 23:24:40 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.13/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Was at a wedding where the choices were grainbelt premium and mich golden draft. I went with wine for a while, but then just felt like a beer (neither mich or GB qualify in my book). The selection at the hotel bar wasn't much better, with the only craft beer available this stuff. Sigh....

Summit pale ale pours a copper amber color with fairly good head retention and lacing. Didn't pick up much on the nose, just some light sweet malt. The flavor profile replicated the nose in what was a surprisingly sweet, malty pale ale. No one is ever going to mistake this for a bottle of mirror pond or SNPA. The finish was not very good at all in this beer, as despiite the low alcohol, I still picked up some heat from alcohol. Mouthfeel was a bit thin, and the finish was malty and sweet.

Mehhh... while I was able to drink this down, I have to say it's been some time since I've had a pale ale that was this unimpressive. I guess this is a pale ale for those who don't like hops (I know it's supposed to be an english style pale ale, but I can't think of any English ale this sweet, bland and malty). Just not my cup of tea...

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 03:28:45 | More by johnmichaelsen

Gusler

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The color as it sets in the glass a transpicuous deep amber, the head hefty in size, creamy in texture and a very light tan in color and the residual lace a thick and glutinous sheet to meld with the glass. Nose is sweet buttery malt, fresh and clean quite pleasing to the senses, start is sweetly malt, the top middling. Nice mild acidity on the finish, the hops perky in their bite, nice dry aftertaste, once again a beer that would be great on a hot summer afternoon.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2003 15:57:22 | More by Gusler

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

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

This came with a good, white head that produced decent retention throughout. It was a deep yellow/light gold in color. The nose had a lightly grassy hop smell. I noted a medium mouthfeel with a good mix of malt and hops on the tongue. The finish was slightly bitter, but still pleasant. Definitely a good drinking beer and with the relatively low ABV, a candidate for a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2005 02:13:38 | More by woodychandler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a clear, pale orange with a 2 finger, creamy frumpy light beige colored head that lasted easily for several minutes. A light spongey coating sticks well around the glass while a faint and sporadic visible effervesce lazily makes its way to the surface.

S: The nose delivered a light fresh flowery citrus aroma with soft hints of sweet caramel. Overall the strength was moderate at best, and well refrained providing just enough accent per style.

T: The malting was soft sweetly buttered toasted grains with a freshly squeezed grapefruit hop kiss. Light freshly cut pine wood and lemon hints also are evident hopping wise. The finish finds a nice dry hopping of lemon and floral notes while the overall flavor was crisp and dry well suited per style making for a decent representation.

M: fairly light, extremely smooth in texture with a light carbonation. Well aerated in the mouth it was hard to tell at times there was anything sitting on the tongue.

D: Overall an easy drinking pale, nicely hopped and enjoyable to consume. A six pack will do well in the summer time heat making for a refreshing representation per style.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2009 22:51:25 | More by beerthulhu

plaid75

New York

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On draft at Bonfire, MSP airport.

Poured a light copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a light leafy hop and a soft grainy malt.

The taste consisted of a grassy yet slightly spicy hop atop a moderately doughy malt. Nice residual hop spice.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a tasty and easily drinkable ale.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2010 15:46:51 | More by plaid75