Mirror Pond Pale Ale - Deschutes Brewery

descartes

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 33 cl bottle.

Appearance: Amber colored with thin white head.
Smell: Very hoppy smell, hints of wheat and citrus.
Taste: Crisp lemony front, sweet middle with a decent amount of hops.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and medium bodied.

Overall: When I first started drinking beer I tried a couple of Pale Ales and decided to avoid the style because the hops were too bitter. Mirror Pond avoids the over the tops hops for a more balanced approach which I liked a lot. Next time I am buying beer I might not avoid pale ales.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2006 15:34:14 | More by descartes

RJLarse

Washington

2.68/5  rDev -32%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I poured this beer in to a pint tumbler. It has a hazy appearance and light amber color. The head was thin, white and did not and lace the glass much at all.

The beer smells hoppy. It is not particularly fragrant in the glass.

The taste is a little bitter, with a decided hop flavor and bitter citrus like grapefruit. The after taste lingers and is also bitter.

It has a nice mouth feel, and tasting is when you have the best opportunity to smell the beer.

I liked this beer, but I think it’s a little bitter for my taste. I wouldn’t want to drink much of it, but it’s a nice occasional change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2006 06:28:52 | More by RJLarse

russpowell

Oklahoma

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

Pours amber to orange with a slight haze. Thick white head holds up well, but only slight lacing

The nose has malt up front and then piney hops (cascade I assume)

Taste: Hops bitterness (grapefriut then resin) on the tounge and throat snd some malt sweetness on the edges, very crisp finish

MF: Smooth, weel blanced and excellent carbonation

Easy drinking PA that goes down great. Not as good as the draft version and the one time was luck enough have this on cask, wow! But this works if you are looking for a PA that won't blow your lips off and still excite the hophead inside you.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2005 00:45:59 | More by russpowell

merlin48

Kentucky

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

12 oz bottle obtained via trade with waldowin. Many Thanks! Mirror Pond pours a chill hazed, honey amber body with a petite, offwhite head. Delicate lacing is left on the glass.

Aroma is enticing. Citrusy esters, a floral note of orange blossom, honey and caramel notes, and some toastiness.

Mouthfeel is light medium in body, crisply carbonated, with a spicy hops bite.

Taste has lots of juicy, citrusy hops, pink grapefruit and tangerine bittersweetness. Bready sweet malt adds a caramel edge. The Cascades hops are up to the challenge, and all the elements come together very well, for an excellent balance.

Very well executed and highly enjoyable. One of the better APA's I've tried.This would be a regular staple in my fridge if it were available locally.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2005 17:47:12 | More by merlin48

Toddv29424

District of Columbia

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

Very pleasant Amer. Pale Ale. Smell is faint, but has hints of bubble gum and light citrus. Taste is unexpected, with a very strong grapefruit-like note coming all the way through. Body is substantial until about two-thirds of the way through it, then it effervesces into very little. Finish is sweet, with a light malt left on the tongue for a few seconds. This leaves a pleasant mouth feel which warrants another sip!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2005 01:04:17 | More by Toddv29424

Gaisgeil

Michigan

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks go to Waldowin and Newbie BIF '05 for the sample!

Pours a slightly hazy amber in color with gold highlights around the edges of my nonic pint with a thin white head with a good bit of retention, left a good amount of lacing. Nose is very herbal and floral, much more hoppy than one might expect. Taste is hoppy enough to be a weaker IPA, but as it stands it's a strong APA. Quite good with a strong malt foundation. Body and mouthfeel is medium but drinkability is way up there, lots of flavor but easily sessionable. Highly recommended!

Slàinte!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2005 18:18:23 | More by Gaisgeil

xoqx

Washington

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

Appearance – A slightly cloudy light amber pour produces a 2 finger crisp white head with average retention and sheeting lace.

Smell – Very floral and fruity hops burst forth in the nose here. It has a very crisp, fresh inviting smell that I enjoy every time I lift the glass to my mouth.

Taste – Outstanding. I feel this beer is magnificently balanced. There is a very nicely developed medium malt body tastes seamlessly integrated with the bold, fruity hops that provide perfect bitterness.

Mouthfeel – medium-bodied and crisp with a generous mouthfeel.

Drinkability – For my money, this is the most drinkable American Pale Ale I’ve tasted. I am continually amazed by its balance and how frequently I’m in the mood for this very beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2005 04:56:32 | More by xoqx

pjwilson

California

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I get this quite alot because it is very common around here and usually a good price. This is my fallback ale when they have nothing else i like at the store. It's a pretty solid alternative to SNPA

Appearance: rich coper color and head that chills for a while. nice. on the darker end for a pale ale
smell: floral as the bottle says. a hint of the malts. pleasant
taste: nice balanced taste. the beer leans on the sweet side which limits it's sessionability. There is a nice bang of bitterness but nothing too strong. quite mellow. some good hop flavor mixed with malts...who doesn't love it..
mouthfeel: even the beer tastes full there is a watery mouthfeel which i don't care for. but this only adds to the drinkability. The first of these beers is gone in under 5 minutes.
I wouldn't go out of your way for it. like i said it's a solid fallback

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2005 23:00:05 | More by pjwilson

Backer2004

North Carolina

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

Man, do I love this Pale Ale. As excited as I was to see that this one would be a part of the tasting clinic I was volunteering with at the World Beer Festival, I was more excited to see two or three bottles left over afterwards. After the final tasting was done, I got to enjoy this one with some great people I just met. Real balance of malts and hops, nothing to bitter, almost perfect in my book. Too bad I cannot find this one close by . . . yet.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2005 00:12:52 | More by Backer2004

oberon

North Carolina

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

Had the privelage of sampling this beer many times yesterday at the WBF,poured a slightly hazy deep orange with a clingy white head on top.To be expected this Oregon produced pale ale's aromas are hop dominated wich is a good thing fruity citrus with underlying pine very fresh smelling.This goes down very easily and would be a staple of mine if I could get it here,flavors are pretty nicely balanced there is a firm dry maltiness up front finishing with the big dose of cascades in the finish citrus and pine linger nicely.Deschutes makes some damn fine brews I wish I could get them more locally instead offline.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2005 12:41:33 | More by oberon

ChrisA

Florida

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

It poured a nice light copper color with a fat two inch head. The floral scents were impressive. Not as hoppy as I would have liked it up front, but extremely drinklable. loral hints throughout and extremely smooth. A tremendous choice for a session beer. Could probably drink a six pack with ease.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2005 01:13:17 | More by ChrisA

ReebShorts

Washington

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

Pours a cloudy orange color. Nice frothy off-white head, that just camps on top. nicw whoosh of carbonation bubbles on the pour as well.

Smell of citrus fruits, pine, and NW hops.

Good Flavor, maybe a bit out of balance for me. I'd have liked a bit more bite to it. This does go down smoothly, and has a nice creamy mouthfeel, but I would have liked a stronger finish is all. Other than that, it's a good beer that i'd drink again (and again).

I'm looking forward to trying more selections from Deschutes.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2005 21:00:59 | More by ReebShorts

Bcant

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A nice hazy orange-red with a white head that falls fast. Looks good but it does not smell like much. In fact, the piney boquet is light that it takes some doing to detect. But things pick up when it comes to the third sense - taste, which is well balanced, allowing the nutty malt flavors to come out without being sweet. The touch is also nice; it feels good in the mouth. It is slightly parching but only enough to make you want to drink another.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2005 03:16:49 | More by Bcant

macpapi

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I really like this beer's appearance in my regular pint glass. It pours an amber-orange color, with a pale, white head, a bit lacking in thickness. Bubbles are visible slowly rising throughout the glass. It has a nice crisp and hoppy aroma. Floral scents help to give its hop smell a very well balanced appeal. The taste at first is a bit disappointing and thin. But as the beer warms, its citrus flavors become more apparent. In addition the presence of a hoppy kick at the end, added to a slight bitter bite, help to complete its flavor. In the mouth, this beer has a lot of carbonation. It is not very full, but its flavor does linger for quite a time on the palate. Overall, this is a good Pale Ale. It is not overdone at all and, hence, very drinkable. Balance is the key to its success. I would say that on those occasions when a moderately-hopped up and tasty pale is desired M.P.P.A. would hit the spot.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2005 00:06:10 | More by macpapi

Zorro

California

4.4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a hazy amber colored ale.

Smell is fruity and hoppy with lots of esters smelling like a BPA. A bit of sweetness and a bit of malt and toasted wheat and pecans in the scent.

Taste is malty and fruity with a woody hop finish at the start. Mild acidity comes out after a bit and pecans and vanilla and oak flavors dominate. This brew never seems to get bitter, only a dry woody finish that is quite pleasant.

Mouthfeel is good.

This brew could pretty much be the reference for perfect drinkability; tasty and mild without beating any of your senses into submission. I could drink this everyday and be very happy for the rest of my life. I give this brew the highest possible recommendation!

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2005 21:21:40 | More by Zorro

palliko

California

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a cloudy golden with some white lace and some lacing. Aroma contains floral hops and banana esters along with nicely balanced hops and malt. Initial taste is of sweet crackers and malt, citrusy/fruity bitter hops and somewhat dry. Finish has a dry even feel that goes well with food.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2005 12:47:14 | More by palliko

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

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

Darker than some and better balanced than many, this is a classic PNW pale ale that really hits the spot. Reasonable hop nose is followed by a real nice balanced body that is drinkable to the core. I think that this is the closest the PNW comes to SNPA.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2005 02:20:28 | More by canucklehead

Wasatch

Utah

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

Revisted: 31 May 09.

Pours a nice clean/clear dark golden orange color, nice carbonation, very nice two-finger foamy off-white head, with some nice sticky lacing left behind. The nose is mostly malty, with some hops, very slight citrus, and caramel. The taste is malty, some hop notes, nice touch of citrus, and caramel. Medium body. Very drinkable, it's been almost four years, since I've had this brew, I really rated it higher at that time, so today I will rate it accordingly. Still a tasty brew. I could not find a bottling date as before.

Dated 09/02/05. Poured a slight hazy golden color with some nice lacing. Has a very nice taste not bitter at all compared to other Pale Ale's I've had in the past. Very nice body on the light side. Very light compared to other Pale Ale's, very drinkable. I could get use to drinking alot of these (for me 3-4). I really like the taste. A very socialble brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2005 23:13:07 | More by Wasatch

Hunter

Arizona

3.4/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A little darker in appearance than I'd expect a Pale to be. Think mahogany. Clear with a head of dense white foam.

Aroma is muted. Soapy undertones support light hops and barely-there malt.

Taste suits the aroma. Light malt made crisp by the hops, but neither dominates or distinguishes. Clean, slightly fruity aftertaste, tongue left pleasantly scoured afterwards.

A good summer quaffer.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2005 20:15:09 | More by Hunter

GClarkage

California

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

06/13/05- On tap at the Bistro Clubhouse in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City, CA

Presentation- From the tap into a standard pint glass.

Appearance- Amber colored pour with a small 1/4 inch head and average lacing.

Smell- Mostly a hard malt scent, but some hop bitterness as well.

Taste- A bit watery, but that was probably from the frozen glass they served it to me in. Otherwise, nice mixture of hops and malt. Maybe even a tad nutty.

Mouthfeel- Average carbonation.

Drinkability- I'll have to try a bottled version of this and re-rate in the future. May get a better rating. From what I tasted, I enjoyed though.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2005 18:44:21 | More by GClarkage

Noxious26

Saskatchewan (Canada)

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

12 ox bottle served in a mug.

Dark gold/orange in appearance and slightly cloudy with lots of carbonation. Head is foamy and cream in colour. Lacing follows all the way down the sides and is still there when the glass is empty.

Aroma is very hoppy with traces for fruit.

Mouthfeel is medium and slightly fizzy.

Taste is slightly sweet at the swallow then almost immediately gives way to the fruity (grapefruit/lemon) taste. Generously hoppy with a little malt to give it balance. Finish is long, dry and slightly bitter.

This Pale Ale has a nice zesty bite to it. The grapefruit flavour isn't as strong as it is in the Cinder Cone Red Ale. Here it is more of a highlight rather than dominant feature. I think this would be well enjoyed by both Lager drinkers as well as hopheads. I wish I had more than just one to sample.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2005 02:35:25 | More by Noxious26

nfo

Pennsylvania

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

Slightly hazy appearance and a pleasant, light hoppy aroma. The flavor is very smooth with mild hops and a bit of citrus. It goes down easy, with a manageable amount of carbonation - I could drink a lot of this beer. A good bang-for-the-buck that doesn't overpower food and even non-beer-drinkers won't find offensive, it's handy to keep some around.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2005 18:36:10 | More by nfo

MrNuggets

Oregon

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

Mirror Pond:

Prime example
this use of fine hop.
Splendid sample
with white foam on top.

Delighting the snout
seducing my taste;
piney throughout
divoid of haste.

Golden reflection
on this hillside pool.
Brilliant complexion
soothing: not cruel.

Leave me for dead;
that feeling prevades.
Please place my head
atop the Cascades.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2005 03:19:37 | More by MrNuggets

JohnfromDublin

Ireland

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Tasted on Friday 13th May, 2005 and the bottle sampled was a little past its "best by" date. Nonetheless, appearence was typical pale ale colour with slight haze. Not great head retention, probably the result of being a little past its date.
Smell was a nice, slightly floral and hoppy bouquet with some caramel.
Taste was good even pale ale with a nice syrupy mouthfeel, and a nice tang to the aftertaste.
Another nice offering from Deschute's.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2005 08:58:36 | More by JohnfromDublin

charlatan

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Generally my attitude towards pale ales is one of bewilderment. Why drink a pale ale when you can take on an IPA? Remarkably I found myself in a bar in Portland which was bereft of IPA, but, realising that one can rarely go wrong with a Deschutes beer, I ordered a Mirror Pond.

It was somewhere between amber and bronze with a slightly acidic smell which I wouldn't like to expand on since my venue was bigger on smoke than beer. The head was rather limited.

This was rather hoppy for a pale ale (immediately I was glad there was no IPA!) and boasted the usual creamy, raisin flavoured Deschutes backing. They certainly weren't being stingy with the malt here. This was a well coordinated and very drinkable beer with a reasonable feel (lots of small bubbles). Perhaps I should drink more pale ale rather than IPA, but more likely I should drink more Deschutes beer. I find Deschutes to be the most dependable brewery (never a bad beer). Good stuff!

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2005 09:16:45 | More by charlatan