Mirror Pond Pale Ale - Deschutes Brewery

KelOne333

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had two bottles shipped to CT for me by a friend.
BA says that "All "5's" should be rare (ie. cannot improve anymore). Just keep that in mind." Well, I kept that in mind...and I can't think of a better beer for me right now.

Served at 35-40 degrees F into a shaker glass. Pours a beautiful rust brown color with a fluffy, light, off-white head that lasts the whole glass.

Nose - bready malt with a hint of almond extract and a layer of citrus and pine.

Taste - Biscuit and caramel with a perfect pine hop backbone. The finish is citrus and a sweet malty hit that lingers for a few seconds and makes me want another sip. Neither side, the malts or the hops, overpowers the other.

Maybe I love it because I can't get it around here. Maybe it's just where my pallette is right now. Either way, I can't think of how it could be any better.
If anyone knows of something that's available in CT that comes close to Mirror Pond, let me know!

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 20:19:41 | More by KelOne333

hiphopipa

Maine

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle pored into a tasting glass (thanks biglobo8971 !)

This brew pours a hazy, rustic orange with a thin, but hearty, head that dissipates into a thin collar.
There is a faint bready caramel aroma with hints citrus.
Generous soft cascade hops and gently toasted malts.
Smooth and crisp mouth feel.

Overall an easy drinking pale that surely would be a staple if it was distributed here.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 20:00:13 | More by hiphopipa

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Very hazy orange hue with a thin off-white head. Nice lacing.

Aroma: Earthy/citrusy hops and caramel malt.

Taste: A pretty sweet palate with a balanced amount of malt flavor and hop bitterness. A tad watery but not bad considering the low 5% ABV. Not getting much of the biscuit malt character that I've come to expect in APAs but there are good citrus and pine flavors from the hops. Slightly dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Between thin and medium bodied. Average drinkability. Lots of effervescence.

Final Thoughts: A good representation of the style but nothing amazing. Someone new to craft beer would likely enjoy this one. Would I drink it again? No, but Deschutes has a whole line up of other great offerings.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 03:00:37 | More by JamesMN

hoppytobehere

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best by 12/12/12. Whoa.

A: Pours a clear, light copper with a little bit of foamy head.

S: A pretty nice balance of bready malt and hops.

T: Same as nose. Very balanced. You get a little hop bite at first, then there's this malt backbone that lingers. Well done.

M: Really good levels of carbonation. Light-medium bodied. This makes for a great session pale ale.

O: Just an excellent pale ale. I could, and sometimes do, drink this all night.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 05:43:59 | More by hoppytobehere

barnzy78

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best by 9/18/12...nice. Purchased 9/29/2012. Oh well, I'm sure it's fine. Just happy to get some!
Tall, rocky ivory head tops an amber colored ale. Great retention and just stellar lacing all.the.way.down.the.glass! Aromas and tastes are very similar with notes of bready malt, caramel, toffee, earthy citrus tones, somewhat fruity. Mouth-feel is creamy, smooth, medium, excellently balanced. Overall, one of the best APA's I've ever had, regardless of the best by date....it was fine.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 00:44:22 | More by barnzy78

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

3.45/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Best before December 5, 2012

A: Thick, creamy head with excellent retention and thick, chunky lacing.

S: Floral hops, not much else.

T: Floral and fruity hops, sweet, thin malt base, some light hop bitterness kicking in at the end. Lacks the toasty, bready malt you get from good East Coast pale ales.

M: Quite nice, and not too carbonated.

O: This is a nicely hopped beer, although, as is common in West Coast pale ales, the malt is weak and too sweet. Nevertheless, it's a solid pale ale for the style, and quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 02:22:21 | More by greybeardloon

CHickman

New York

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

Review from 7/18/12, on tap in Burlingame, CA: pours clear gold color with a creamy 1 finger beige head that faded very slowly and left great foamy lacing that left rings as it went down.

Smells of sweet malt, grains, biscuit, caramel, light floral hops, pine cone, herbs and earthy notes; a nice mild pale ale that's sweet and malty overall with sweet hoppy accents.

Tastes of sweet malt, grains, biscuit, caramel, floral hops, lemon zest, light citrus hops, herbs, pine cone/pine hops and earthy notes; nice light crisp ale flavor that is clean and refreshing.

Mouthfeel is smooth with light carbonation, a medium body and malty finish that's on the clean side.

Overall tasty and easy to drink, this was a smooth pale ale that flowed down like water.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2012 02:22:39 | More by CHickman

johnhcarr

4.38/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love this beer. I mean I really love this pale ale. My first time was a magical one, the liquid gold hit spots on my tongue that a young man only dreams of.

Nicely balanced malt accentuated just so with cascade hops. Time and time again this is a winner and in my fridge.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2012 00:27:28 | More by johnhcarr

tlazaroff

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wonderful citrusy pine aroma coming off this one. It smells just right, not too subtle, not too potent.

Clear orange in color with a very light tan head. Lacing is generous and sticks in clumps to the side of the glass, and the head never really goes away completely. Some visible carbonation bubbles are probably the reason for the persistance of this head.

Very interesting in the taste and mouthfeel. This drinks like an IPA. In a blind taste, I would even guess its an IPA. Right up front there is a punch of bitterness followed by a wonderful caramel covered pine flavor and finishes with freshly squeezed orange juice. Smooth to drink, with low carbonation and a light body. Just wonderful overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 17:26:48 | More by tlazaroff

T100Mark

California

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a 16 ounce glass.

Appearance-Copper colored. Slightly opaque. Fine white head. Mondo stickage on the inside of the glass.

Smell - Mild.

Taste-Creamy. Sweet. Orange zest. Nice hops (not overpowering). Very smooth (for an IPA).

Mouth-Again, creamy. Pleasant.

Overall-Very chugable. A great IPA for beginners. I can't imagine someone not liking this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2012 00:59:49 | More by T100Mark

jimmah120

Minnesota

3.53/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap, from notes

Orange-red with a frothy 1f head. Smell is smooth grains and malt; hint of earthy hops. Taste is smooth grain malt biscuit white bread. The hops are floral and earthy and very much in the background. Feel is excellent, crispy, smooth, well carbonated. No astringency or cloying.

Well balanced, easy to drink. Would be a fantastic introduction into craft brews, but it's not up to par with some of the better pales I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2012 11:14:44 | More by jimmah120

Nugganooch

California

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle to nonic pint glass
BB 11/21/12

A: Pours a dark and hazed caramel amber color with a bit of golden-orange hue to it. Some nice bubble action is visible and produces a thin cap of off-white creamy whip. Retains for just a few, leaving some lazy splashes of lace down the glass.

S: Smells of sour orange peel with a firm pine aroma. Hops give way to some warm yeasty bread with a touch of caramel and spice. Pleasing aroma overall but nothing really stunning here.

T: Tastes is prominent with dry bitter pine cone and some spiced orange flesh. I get a bit of fresh orchard apricot that transitions into the caramelized bread and graham malt characters. There is a moderate amount of bitterness producing just a hit of sharp pucker. Otherwise very smooth with no real alcohol presence. Nice flavors and well balanced.

M: Very smooth and creamy in texture with a moderate to low feeling body. Has a nice dry crisp finish with some lingering hop oils.

D: Another nice "standard" from Deschutes. American “C” hops showcased through a nice bready pale ale. Smooth, tasty, and well balanced. Very drinkable.

Nothing revolutionary by today’s standards but Deschutes has such great quality in their brews.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 20:45:03 | More by Nugganooch

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

355ml bottle poured into pint glass 10/9/12 thanks Matt for the bottle

A light copper body with decent carbonation, two finger light tan head falls too a peak leaving a few partial rings of lace followed by lots of polka dots

S floral hops and butterscotch comes out right away, quite fruity with almost a fruit loops thing going for it and it works well, some nutty caramel as it warms

T hops have faded a little and there's some earthy notes I didn't smell, still very nice but nearing its BB date I can imagine it had more kick a few months ago but now there's a nice balance

m enters silky and fluffs up quickly, slightly sweet and just a little sticky, earthy finish

O pretty solid pale ale even the week before its BB date, easy too drink for sure

I'd drink this again, and I might get the chance as I've seen it in kegs in Alberta and 6er's in BC already but they weren't cheap if I remember correctly

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 02:07:45 | More by wordemupg

pkalix

California

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

orange-y-copper, almost no head to speak of. hoppy, citrus-y, like the other guy said: orange, lemon and grapefruit aromas. taste is definitely on target with the smell and the feel is standard/average/unsurprising with expected medium carbonation.
overall, a decent brew, but i expected more malt flavor than what i'm experiencing here. i hear a lot of good comments regarding this from others and although i'm not into hoppy beers, i can do a few of these . . . .

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 01:37:49 | More by pkalix

abeerwiseguy

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Have been giving Deschutes' Mirror Pond a try for a few six packs now and today thought the time was right for a review.

12 oz bottle poured into a Pilsner at 46 degrees. Listed as 5% ABV on Deschutes website.

Deep orange tinged color with three fingers of a rich white head that dissipated slowly leaving heavy strings down the glass as the beer quickly disappeared down my gullet.

Aromas of malt, hops and floral notes provide a hopeful expectation that the flavors will be balanced.

The taste is very well rounded, with just the right amount of malt and hops with light floral and citrus overtones. It has a very slight bitterness on the finish.

The beer has a medium body with low carbonation that well supports the flavor profile.

This is in my opinion one of the better examples of the American Pale Ale style and one which I recommend to some of my friends who shy away from some of the hopped up IPA’s out there. (Deschutes Inversion, Stone Ruination, and Dogfish Head 90 Minute to name a few)

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 17:35:17 | More by abeerwiseguy

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass.
Best by 10/02/12.

Appearance: Pours a deep amber orange with lots of rising bubbles. Huge five finger off white creamy head with very good retention. Leaves a lot of lacing around the glass.

Smell: A lively aroma that has a good balance of hops and malts. Citrus hops with hints of oranges, grapefruit, and lemon. Also some grassy and herbal hops. Hops are balanced by a good presence of sweet and bready malts. Good hints of grains, biscuit, crackers, and yeast. Pretty solid.

Taste: Has everything you would expect from a pale ale. A solid hop and malt presence that is well balanced. A mix of earthy, herbal, and citrus hops with some notes of orange peel, grapefruit, lemon, and grass. Solid malt taste with good notes of grains, biscuit, and cracker. Fairly yeasty. Well balanced and tasty.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Creamy, crisp, and very smooth. Finishes somewhat dry.

Overall: A very good taken on a American Pale ale. On of the top ones out there for the style. Nice hop bite that is well balanced by bready malts.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 06:05:06 | More by MattyG85

superspak

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, best by 9/5/2012. Pours hazy golden orange color with a very nice 2 finger dense off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Some nice soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of orange, grapefruit, pine, herbal, floral, caramel, pineapple, biscuit, and light toast. Pretty nice and pleasant aromas with good balance; but they are a bit muted. Taste of orange, grapefruit, biscuit, pine, caramel, toast, nuttiness, floral, and herbal spiciness. Good amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, pine, biscuit, caramel, and herbal spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Great hop flavor balance with malts; and a very nice robust amount of flavor for a 5% beer. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish as expected. Overall this is an excellent pale ale. Great amount of flavor; with nice hop and malt balance. Extremely drinkable and smooth. My glass was gone a bit too fast. Really enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 04:17:57 | More by superspak

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle, Best by date of 9/11/12 on the bottle.

copper colored, bright white head that fades quickly. sharp grainy malt aroma. some earthy hops are in there as well.

taste is well balanced. biscuity malt, slightly citrusy hops. thin to medium body, higher carbonation.

overall - average, easy drinking pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 03:48:22 | More by jmdrpi

ZachStone625

4.35/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Man, if there was ever an approachable, drink anytime you please beer, this has got to be it.

Normally, I'm a malty beer kind of guy. Double IPA's and beyond are shunned in favor of a fistful of lawn weeds with a shot of vodka, but this - THIS beer is a pale ale that has a hop, fruit and citrus character that balances the malt and bready flavors with an aplomb I can only describe as fun, and ridiculously refreshing.

This is the mild, drinkable, balanced yet flavorful beer to have after working on a car or mowing the lawn. Or with any kind of dinner. Just enough bread, malt, and toast and just enough bitter, malt and citrus to make this a mild yet full charactered beer. I enjoyed this one immensely and have it frequently as a sixpack in my fridge.

Regardless of your preference, it is definitely worth a taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 04:53:16 | More by ZachStone625

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.3/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap into a shaker glass at Track Town Pizza

A- Poured a reddish-amber color, pretty hazy, small frothy head that left no lace

S- Bog aroma of sweet grapefruit, pineapple, tropical notes, and big sweet caramel maltiness. Big fruity and sweet aroma

T- Lots of caramel sweetness, sweet grapefruit, tropical notes, breadiness, and leaves some nice lingering bitterness

M- Smooth, medium body, finishes dry, very drinkable

O- This is what you want a pale ale to be, very balanced malt and hop character. Lots of flavorful malt and fruity hops. I could see myself getting some six packs of this.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2012 03:26:03 | More by Hoptometrist

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

While I had previously mentioned that Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is not an everytime beer, I think Mirror Pond is. Deschutes has done a great job with this one. It's reddish body isn't typical for an APA and it's got a heavy dose of malts and a little fruitiness that work in tandem with that initial hop push to find a great balance. Even my friends that don't typically go for hops or pale ales can get into this one.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2012 07:41:11 | More by TheRealBigC

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.55/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Hazy orange amber liquid with good clarity with a 1/4" cream coloured head.

S: Lemon, orange rind and grassy hops.

T: Lemon, orange and grassy hop flavours up front with biscuit malt in the middle and a clean yeast finish. Very delicate, well balanced and beautiful.

M: Medium to thin viscosity and a medium level of carbonation.

O: Excellent drinkability and a very nice hop presence make this one of the all time best pale ales in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 21:22:31 | More by DaftCaskBC

vickersspitfire

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is a dark blond (think burnt orange) with good carbonation and a nice thick, off white head that’s very bubbly frothy and just overall inviting. I hope hell is this soft when I get there! You can smell the hops right away, some mild citrus fruits aromas with some wheat mixed in. Its got a medium-to-light body and is crisp on the tip of your tongue with mildly tangy kicks when it hits the sides and back of your mouth. The hops are present and very welcoming and like those overbearing mother-in-laws or grandma’s that always say” here you go, have a little more food, you’re too skinny”. The aftertaste is nice and smooth, the hops pick up a little more and there’s a slight grapefruit taste in there too. Not bad beer over all, I can’t wait to have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 04:24:21 | More by vickersspitfire

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

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

I guess I can thank the House of 1,000 beers for this one. Sure it's not in my distribution area but I gladly paid the 4 dollars just to get a taste.

A - A nice clear orange amber body (a touch dark for a pale) but a nice 1/2 inch of head.

S - Smell is balanced with mild citrus hops, a nutty body, and a decent amount of sweet pale malts.

T - I believe this might be the most balanced pale ale I ever got my hands on. It's hoppy but it never loses track of what it is... a pale ale which biscuit like malts and pale ale yeasts leave a clean crisp taste on the palate. Amazing.

M - Light to medium really a great beer.

Overall a great take on one of my favorite styles. If distribution ever gets picked up around here I will be sure to secure a case every month.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 02:50:43 | More by DrDemento456

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours orange with a half finger of white foam that recedes quickly to a thin but persistent skein. Minimal lace.

Smell is faint all the way around, citric and grassy elements, nutty, biscuit malt.

Taste follows the nose but is more assertive. Light citrus, flower and grassy elements. Nutty, biscuit malt. Just overbalanced slightly toward hop, which imparts a pleasantly bitter, clean, palate quenching finish. Body is medium to light with soft carbonation.

Excellent, easy going APA, drink at will.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 03:49:59 | More by JackieTH