Mirror Pond Pale Ale - Deschutes Brewery

MLegendre

Oregon

3.73/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I conducted my own little blind taste test with all three of Deschutes Pale Ales. Here is the result for Mirror Pond...

A: Dark gold with a fairly big fluffy head that is leaving lots of lacing as it melts.

S: Just how I like a Pale Ale to smell, good presense of both Hops and malt. The sweet malt is more noticable than the hops.

T: There is a good strong malt presense, followed by bitter, but not horribly strong hops. The finish and aftertaste are both bitter, the aftertaste lingering for awhile after you've swallowed.

M: Medium bodied, smooth and a good amount of carbonation

D: A good example of a Pale Ale. Not the best I've ever had, but one I would get again.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2006 21:40:54 | More by MLegendre

davesway10

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-19-2013 11:30:48 | More by davesway10

JoyHelfrich

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-18-2013 23:37:52 | More by JoyHelfrich

alanv

California

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-18-2013 21:37:12 | More by alanv

jl28r1

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-18-2013 16:27:08 | More by jl28r1

prender1482

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-18-2013 00:39:20 | More by prender1482

Michaeldmanley

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-17-2013 22:46:23 | More by Michaeldmanley

SMITHAND

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-17-2013 20:08:36 | More by SMITHAND

Ribsandwhiskey

Oregon

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-17-2013 19:24:31 | More by Ribsandwhiskey

piratebryan

California

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%

05-16-2013 22:55:20 | More by piratebryan

Hoolie5

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +20.6%

05-16-2013 16:44:13 | More by Hoolie5

leftstagebrew

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-16-2013 15:01:41 | More by leftstagebrew

Pelican5

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-16-2013 07:27:28 | More by Pelican5

BSore

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-16-2013 06:18:26 | More by BSore

THEOPTIMATOR88

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-16-2013 03:12:08 | More by THEOPTIMATOR88

spoony

Colorado

3.89/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

From a 12 oz bottle (best by July 11, 2013) into a tulip.

A-This is a good-looking beer. The brew is nearly clear and copper/orange hued with a decent display of visible carbonation. The head is fantastic, dense, long-lasting, light-khaki colored foam that leaves a fair bit of lacing on the glass.

S-The smell is a pleasantly strong mixture of sharp, lemony-citrus hops and fruity, pale malt flavors that pair well with the toast and light caramel notes. I'm impressed by the strength of the aroma for a 5% ABV brew.

T-The taste is more mild and the hops fade a little bit on the tongue, leaving the fruity, sweet, pale malt flavors more in the spotlight. Flavors are still citrus-forward, and there is a still a little bit of dank oily hops, but the taste is simpler and less impressive than the smell.

M-The feel is soft, with fine carbonation. The brew is medium to light in body and drinkable. Pretty average.

O-I remember disliking this beer the last time I had it (maybe four years ago), so I was pleasantly surprised by how good-looking it is and how nice it smells. The taste, while something of a let-down compared to looks and smell, is not bad, but it loses some of the hoppy sharpness that makes the smell so appealing. All-in-all, this is a good but not great example of an APA.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:15:24 | More by spoony

Sarmartay

California

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-14-2013 20:04:20 | More by Sarmartay

Absolut

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-14-2013 18:02:36 | More by Absolut

tesla92

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-14-2013 05:36:03 | More by tesla92

aty11b

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%

05-14-2013 01:59:37 | More by aty11b

mooseo

Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into nonic.

A - Clear amber with a large creamy white head.

S - Sweet bready malt, light citrus, hint of floral grassy hops.

T - Toasted malt, orange zest, grapefruit, and caramel. Finishes with a hint of bitterness and a pleasant juicy citrus flavor. Earthy pine and grainy malts linger.

M - Smooth, crisp, medium bodied. High carbonation, somewhat dry finish.

O - A well balanced, but hoppy pale ale. This would make a great session beer in the spring or summer. Very flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 01:55:48 | More by mooseo

BYOFB

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-14-2013 01:04:27 | More by BYOFB

jokulhaps

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-13-2013 02:51:40 | More by jokulhaps

trocketsauced

New York

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-12-2013 19:36:56 | More by trocketsauced

Roger85

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-12-2013 13:37:20 | More by Roger85