Bert Grant's Fresh Hop Ale
Yakima Brewing Co. / Bert Grant's Ales

Bert Grant's Fresh Hop AleBert Grant's Fresh Hop Ale
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From:
Yakima Brewing Co. / Bert Grant's Ales
 
Washington, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.75 | pDev: 12.27%
Reviews:
58
Ratings:
58
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 06, 2020
Added:
Oct 02, 2002
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
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Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.93/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Holy moly, one of my all time seasonal favorites and I have no review for it? Seriously, this, Celebration and Bigfoot were the 3 seasonal releases me and all my college buddies looked forward to the most in the late 90s.

Anyways, pours a color similar to the amber ale: amber. Good 1/2" of mostly white head, noticeably nice given the amount of fresh hop oils. Had a big blend of caramel and green hop notes. The classic C ones that are green when they are standard hops, much less the fresh ones. Similar to Sap/SSSap for today's kids in terms of taste.

Compared to contemporary times, its kind of malty like SNPA relative to its strength. But don't go thinking this was balanced, still had a big push of grapefruit and pine from the Cascade hops. Had a breadiness and stickiness you don't see with beers of this sessionability. Dare I say even a bit chewy that is nicely matched with the caramel like woody notes. Carbonation was always spot on.

After Bert's demise, whoever was in charge really dicked their beers up. But back 20-25 years ago, this was the shit.
Jan 06, 2020
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.69/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Very decent serviceable brew. Nicely and well hopped, though not much in appearance in the glass. Well carbonated too. Citrussy,bitter rather than sweet. Malted to make the APA style, it could pass for someone else's IPA. Drinkable and refreshing. Mildly bitter aftertaste.
Oct 02, 2005
Photo of blitheringidiot
Reviewed by blitheringidiot from Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Dark clear coppery orange pour with zero carbonation bubbles visable topped off with uneven frothy khaki head cap.

Somewhat balanced nose of malty character with some hops effervescence.

First swigs: Lightly balanced profile with some malty front followed by a soft hops background. Fruity sweet oranges and easy cherries blend. Some basic hard candy malt flavor lingers.

Crisp carbonation. Medium bodied with a sticky aftertaste towards the end. Goes back without a struggle.


Last swigs: Orange hops and Red apple malt. Hoping for more hops than this actually delivers. The label claims “Featuring freshly picked cascade hops.” Too balanced for a beer as the name suggests. $2.00 bottle at Circle Liquors.

Beer is good. Happy beering.
Jul 17, 2005
Photo of Frozensoul327
Reviewed by Frozensoul327 from Michigan

3.4/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Wow, now this is a beer that stand up to what it says on the label! Poured out to an amber orange color with a good head that hung around for awhile. Head was same color as the brew, which I found unique and appealing. Odors of hops was very present, as was a herbal and floral note. Flavor was overly powered by hops, but a citrus like character was noted. Finished with a creamy bitterness that wasn't dissatisfying. I liked this beer, but I'd find it hard to stomach more than two in a sitting. Recommended and worth a try.
May 18, 2005
Photo of connecticutpoet
Reviewed by connecticutpoet from Connecticut

3.43/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
This beer was a deep amber, clear brew with a low head that left some lacing on the glass.

The aroma was of medium bodied malts, caramel, and the unmistakeable smell of Cascade hops. I expected more hop, though.

The taste was also surprising. I got a malt taste, but it was not strong... some caramel, a little bit sweet, and a touch of hops. A far cry from what I expected as a "Fresh Hop Ale".

Mouthfeel was OK... but I give it just an average drinkability as I would not particularly seek this one out again. It didn't really impress me much.
Apr 26, 2005
Photo of tomthumbsblues
Reviewed by tomthumbsblues from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sampled this one from the stubby littl 12oz. bottle. No freshness date apparent. A thre-finger foamy head was produced after pouring this copper colored brew. There was slight lacing as I finished it off. The smell was spicy and hoppy and contained a whiff of caramel. The taste was good and hoppy, with caramel and citrus notes, and a light bready malt finish. I felt this beer could've been a bit more substantial in the mouth. Other than that I'd definitely drink one of these again!
Apr 11, 2005
Photo of warriorsoul
Reviewed by warriorsoul from Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a cloudy orange w/ less than 1/2 finger tan head.
Disappears fairly quickly w/ thin lacing.
A nice balance of malt and hops...sweet at first, then herbal tea-like.
The taste is fairly basic for a pale ale...no real flavors jumping out at me. The hops are very mild and has a slight malt backbone...thin, but average for its style.
This brew contains no bitterness at all, it is actually a touch sour...aftertaste is very clean although...nothing lingering.
This beer is obviously very fresh, but definitely needs more bite in the hop department to be "Fresh Hop" IMO. I dig cascade hops and just wish I could enjoy them in this one.
Drinkabilty could be real high, but for me its not, simply due to the fact that nothing really excites me about this beer.
Mar 30, 2005
Photo of ppoitras
Reviewed by ppoitras from Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12ozer bottle purchased as a single from, well, somewhere...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1" beige head above the clear, coppery amber brew. Head fades to a pillowy half or it's start, and lacing is good. Aroma is nicely balanced, with malt sweetness apparent, but piney and fruity hops making their appearance as well. Taste leans a bit more towards the fruity hops side of the balance, but grains still play a nice part. Mouthfeel is pleasantly smooth, and drinkability is very nice. One of the better Bert Grant offerings I have had, along with the Perfect Porter. Check it out yourself and enjoy.
Mar 12, 2005
Photo of putnam
Reviewed by putnam from Michigan

3.97/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Call me a cynic, but the plug for Cascade Hops on the label made me wonder if the hops were donated. The overall high quality of the beverage suggests something more is at work.

Red bronze. Beautiful fragrance of rosy green buds, red cherries and coffee cake. A bit of Spanish Brandy rancio provides notes of pecan, walnut and tar.
Mouthfuls are very bitter. Young Bordeaux-like tannins grip sensations of lemon and melon rind. Caramel candied fruits precede well-contained powdery yellow resins which join the finish cleanly. A promising beginning ends with a combination of cloying sweetness, detergent and pulpy water impressions.
Mar 07, 2005
Photo of meathookjones
Reviewed by meathookjones from Virginia

2.85/5  rDev -24%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Reviewed from notes taken on a 1/30/05 sampling.

Appears a deep amber with about a half inch head off white head forming on top. The head drops quick leaving no signs of lacing and barely and bubbles. The aroma was full of malty sweetness with an underlying hops presence in the background. Notes of doughy malt were present but overall there was a lack of Fresh Hops. Taste was similar with a dominate malty sweetness over a small showing of earthy hops. Really reminds me of a soda like flavor. Finish is sweet and malty. Nothing special about the mouthfell, on par with what you would expect. Drinkability is ok. This really seems unbalanced towards the malts with a noticeable lack of hops in the aroma and taste. Not bad just not something I would have again. Thanks goes to Steve for the bottle.
Feb 15, 2005
Photo of Gavage
Reviewed by Gavage from Nevada

3.17/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Brilliant clear orange in color with a 1" head. The head quickly fell to a thin surface foam in a matter of seconds. Light spotty lacing develops through the drink. Nice carbonation level.

The aroma is a very pleasant mix of pine and citrus. The flavor was quite a disappointment after the initial smell of the beer. Unbalanced flavor of light malt and overbearing piney hops, some grapefruit, and a strange hint of plastic at the finish. I opened another brew to check the flavors and I still sensed the same hint of plastic tones at the finish.

The mouthfeel at the start was mildly crisp and finished dry and smooth. The unbalanced flavors knock down the drinkability for me.
Feb 15, 2005
Photo of Naerhu
Reviewed by Naerhu from Japan

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Beautiful dark cooper red body with smallish off-white head.
A moderate maltiness cloaked by grapefruit and other citrus aromas.

Lots of hop flavor without a lot of hop bitterness. Brilliantly balanced with a moderate of malty sweetness. The carried on a medium bodied, slightly smooth mouthfeel.

I love the beer. It is a great beer for hopheads, without the bitterness that would tear this beer out of balance.
Jan 23, 2005
Photo of oracle
Reviewed by oracle from Indiana

4.49/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
This was a growler consumed about 5 hours after pouring.

Beer poured a very slightly cloudy deep copper with thin head that left medium lacing.

Now, I've had a couple of Bert Grant's ales in the past and I was less than impressed, so I did not have real high expections. Boy, was I real suprised by this beer. Smell was very nice, with strong hop presences, cascade I think. (not sure)

I expected a one dimensional taste of hop bitterness. I couldn't have been more wrong. There was a strong hop flavor, but it was complimented very nicely by strong fruit flavors. this was one darn tasty and fine beer.

I'll be buying this one again in the very near future.
Jan 23, 2005
Photo of francisweizen
Reviewed by francisweizen from Washington

4.13/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Deep coppery red with a nice head of rusty tan foam. Nice. Aromas are all cascade hop goodness. Citrus, a bit of pine, some flowers, some booze, and more. The taste is hoppy up front, but the middle is biscuity and malty. The finish is once again hoppy and quite dry as well with a nice citrusy/floral finish that leaves me with nice hop burps as well. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, well carbonated and nice and the drinkability is damn good. A really good "fresh hop" ale. For sure.
Jan 18, 2005
Photo of Brent
Reviewed by Brent from Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This beer takes a nice detour from the beaten path. From the label description of the use of freshly-picked hops, I expected a hops-for-the-sake-of-more-hops exercise in excess. What I found was a judicious use of hops with an emphasis on aromatics and flavoring, rather than bittering.

Poured a welcoming golden orange. Aroma was lightly herbal. Calling this an American Pale Ale brings to mind the aggressive use of PacNW hops, which is not the case here. The hopping is herbal with a "green" flavor - not green in the sense of not fully fermented, but rather a light, leafy note to the hops.

A bit past the middle, the beer hits an odd, watery interlude in the flavor, but then picks back up and finishes well. In any other beer, this watery gap would be a flavor or mouthfeel detraction, but it is pretty easy to overlook here, since the general nature of the beer is light-natured without being too light bodied. Rather than being a weak IPA, this seems a unique sort of pale ale.
Jan 05, 2005
Photo of TheLongBeachBum
Reviewed by TheLongBeachBum from California

4.3/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Presentation: 12 ounce small brown glass bottle with a twist off cap and a very colorful label just like the BA avatar. No strength or freshness listed. The neck label explains some background to this brew, that is to say that it is made with freshly picked Cascade hop blossom.

Appearance: Gorgeous looking body, rusty dark brown-copper with a massive off-white head that has good staying power. Creamy cap retains its erection throughout and laces the sides of the glass with some exceptionally virulent smatterings which form rings with each sip. Conditioning is full-bodied.

Nose: Malt starts the aroma. Crisp citric hops only appear in the latter end with some grassy hints and a fresh springtime odor.

Taste: Yet again the Malts start the entertainment. Crisp biscuit malts fill the entrance with little in the way of hops. Dry feel with some astringent tannin-like malts soon mingle with a freshly cut grass ending. It takes time and effort to pick up the contribution from the Cascade hops. A light bitterness tingles the tongue, but there are lots of freshly mowed floral and fauna in the tastes. As it warms I also get a nice toffee dimension in the middle which has a caramel malt feel. The fresh Cascades are subliminal at times but they add real finesse to this brew. Nicely put together.

Mouthfeel: Solid conditioning and a hearty contribution from the malts lend a deep presence in the mouth. Bold with thick biscuit malts and a grassy reed hoppy ending. A big feel to this one.

Drinkability: It didn’t take me much of an effort to sink this one down!!

Overall: Totally different to what I expected – and quite unique in character. This is well worth a try, but don’t expect a hop bomb, this offering is a little more complex than that, the hops are there, you just have to work to find them, I like that, a beer that needs some concentration, but it is very rewarding if you put the effort in. I’ve tried a few of Bert Grants brews since I moved here in 2001, and I have not been that blown away by any of them - but this one is well worth seeking out.
Jan 02, 2005
Photo of sideshowrob
Reviewed by sideshowrob from Maryland

3.77/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Served in a standard logo'ed pint glass. Brew poured a nice medium-amber colour with very little head. Slight aroma of citrus and pine; am surprised that there isn't more of a nose to it.

Taste is good. An odd, "organic" flavor permeates the brew. There is a meaty, buttery flavor to the hops, which are dominant. Notes of pine and citrus again appear in the flavor.

Brew has a nice mouthfeel, and is rather easy to drink. All in all an interesting beer.
Dec 30, 2004
Photo of rowew
Reviewed by rowew from Colorado

4.04/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Presentation: 12 oz short bottle - twist off. No freshness info.

Appearance: Poured a reddish color with a very small head.

Smell: Flowery hops dominate the aroma.

Taste: Nice mouthfeel with a low level of carbonation. Initial tastes are almost pure hops, but not overpowering. No malt flavors that I could detect. Very drinkable.

Overall impression: Not overall exciting, but different from anything else I've tasted. It is a nice way to taste the flavor of Cascade hops all by themselves. Also would make a nice hoppy session beer.
Dec 21, 2004
Photo of GIVEMEBACKMYSON
Reviewed by GIVEMEBACKMYSON from Alaska

2.98/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Bottle mentions general brewery and pub history. Further reading on the neck gives blurb about Yakima Valley hops and how Bert features the seasonal brews to showcase the different hops at their prime. Good news.
This beer has no head, save for about 30 little bubbles atop the liquid. Shockingly enough, the beer feels a bit on the flat side when drank.
This tastes fairly oxidized. Aside from that, the flavor of the fresh cascades is pretty interesting. Not super floral, or piney, or citrusy, or cascade-y, as I was kind of expecting. Much, much more subtle. Nonetheless, interesting and unique. Very herbal in its ways, this beer. Almost tea-like.
The iota of carbonation posessed by this beer finally reveals itself in the finish. Without this feature, palatability would suffer even moreso.
Overall, an ok beer. Has its merits, and its downfalls. If you're a hop-head buying this beer with a hard on for some in-your-face cascade action, be ready for a case of the blue balls.
Dec 10, 2004
Photo of santoslhalper
Reviewed by santoslhalper from Pennsylvania

3.49/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Appearence: Pours a glowing, gorgous red color with a nice, off white head. Leaves much lacing, and lots of nice little bubbles of carbonation.

Smell: Honestly, doesn't real smell like anything. I'm picking up a slight hop, almost rose smell, but not much else.

Taste and Mouthfeel: Not many malts greet your mouth in this ale, mostly hops, and they're not even that present. The hops definitly have a unique flavor, but nothing strong. A barely above par taste. The mouthfeel is too light and empty, with no aftertaste.

Drinkability and Overall: This is different beer for sure, but nothing that great. I gotta give props to Yamika for trying something different, but this time it didn't go as well as hoped. A good tasting beer, and even better session beer, but just a little above average at best.

Once again, thanks to Bashiba for the brewski.
Dec 07, 2004
Bert Grant's Fresh Hop Ale from Yakima Brewing Co. / Bert Grant's Ales
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 58 ratings