Mirror Pond Pale Ale - Deschutes Brewery

SDHoffers

California

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

This is one of the first pale ales that I tried and loved from the instant I caught that great hoppy aroma. I have since appreciated hoppier brews but I enjoyed this in the beginning because there was more to it than hop. The appearance is golden with a little lace left behind. The smell isn't too strong. I could probably drink multiple pints because it always leaves me wanting another. Mouth feel is good but not much linger on this one. I would suggest this to anyone looking for a classy pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2010 15:52:00 | More by SDHoffers

bsp77

Minnesota

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

Serving glass: Poured from tap into pint glass.

Appearance: Clear amber-orange with thin white head and some nice lacing.

Smell: Some sweet citrus and grapefruit, grainy toasted malts and a touch of spiciness.

Taste: Bright citrus, semi-sweet grainy malts, with some spicy bitterness at the end, and a hint of sourness.

Feel: Moderate carbonation, medium body but somewhat watery, semi-dry finish.

Drinkability: Overall, a fairly typical example of an APA. Quite good, but not worth seeking out with all of the other choices out there.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2010 16:10:18 | More by bsp77

tjd112

New Jersey

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

Presentation - Tapped into pint glass at burlesque joint in Denver

Appearance - Honey colour with half-finger head and good lacing

Smell/Taste - Somewhat hop forward for an APA, but malts can still be detected

Mouthfeel - Medium to light bodied

Drinkability - Very sessionable

Overall - A quality choice

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2010 18:02:51 | More by tjd112

Spineypanda

Texas

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

Has a light amber color/dark gold with a head that lasts a while.
Smells like the average pale ale, with a little bit of a sweet scent to it.
Taste is not overly bitter, and the smell of sweets is not present in the beer itself. A great example of the classic American pale ale.

This is on my list as something I would buy again, but not seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2009 01:53:55 | More by Spineypanda

david18

New York

3.2/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I like the Deschutes Brewery a lot and had very high expectation for this beer but was a little disappointed in the end. Pale Ales are tough to be real standouts because if anything of the aspects dominate (hops, malt, etc), then it's something else. However i would recommend this beer just for its pedigre.

11/14/10

Had this beer again and would agree with the above. Not really a stand out. Color was a light copper with a light hop aroma. Flavor also had a light hops, nothing outstanding but not bad at all.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2009 01:55:11 | More by david18

tigg924

Massachusetts

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

Appearance: orange brown in color, minimal head, medium carbonation, clear

Smell: citrus hops and malt

Taste: a malty/wheaty start followed by citrus hops

Mouthfeel: medium bodied and carbonation with a sweet start and bitter finish

Drinkability: My least favorite from what I have tried from the brewery so far. This to me is just an above average APA. I would like to try it again, but could not see myself having anymore than two per sitting.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2009 13:05:28 | More by tigg924

bwd110

Pennsylvania

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

In Portland on business, on tap at hotel bar. Sweet Jesus, I'm diggin Portland! Even the crappy hotels have a decent tap list!

A: A bright orange rust, nice fluffy white head, considerable amount of lacing.

S: I love Cascade hops, sure they are overused, but man they smell great - citrus grapefruit goodness. Fair amount of malt detected in the nose, nice sweet undertones.

T: Maybe top 5 APAs I've had. This is a damn fine brew. The hops and malt coexist almost perfectly. Good hop profile, strong malt balance. Little bit of bitter, little sweet in the finish. Tasty.

M: Medium in body, smooth and spot on for the style - no issues here, however flavor does leave the palate quickly.

D: Gone in a flash, 4 more please!

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2009 23:01:01 | More by bwd110

armock

New York

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

A - Poured a copper color with a white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of lots of citrus hops on top of a caramel malt backbone

T - Follows the nose citrus hops that are balanced nicely by the caramel mat

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - This was a very enjoyable pale that I could easily session for the night easy to drink with a good taste worth picking up sometime

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2009 20:31:19 | More by armock

taxguyjase

New Mexico

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I have heard a lot about this Deschutes Brewery - sounds like my last name (Deshayes), which I found out means trash in French. Screw you Frenchie. Anyway, I saw this was on tap and figured I better try it and see what the fuss was about.

The general appearance of the beer was pretty appropriate given that it was a pale ale and was pretty nicely golden. The head was light and dissipated quickly. I didn't get a lot of aroma from the beer, which was sad, as I like the scents that pale ales and IPAs have. Fortunately, the beer made up for the lack of smell with some great flavor - hops, bitterness, a bit of floral citrus. At the same time, the beer was very smooth, so nothing that would drastically piss off anyone. A good overall beer that I would definitely have again.

Appearance - 3.5/5.0 - A golden color with light head
Smell - 3.0/5.0 - Really light, which I was surprised with given it was a pale ale
Taste -4.0/5.0 - A really strong potent hop flavor with appropriate bitterness. Smooth at the same time.
Feel - 4.0/5.0 - Smooth and bitter at the same time and felt good in the mouth. No overkill.
Drinkability - 4.5/5.0 - A good solid beer that I would definitely get again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2009 05:15:11 | More by taxguyjase

Aenema

Maryland

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

Appearance - Clear, brownish orange. White head with splotchy lacing.
Smell - Hops and slight caramel malts.
Taste - Bitter hops, slightly sweet malty backbone with some bready flavors.
Mouthfeel - Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation drifting slightly to the high end.
Drinkability - Solid beer that is quite drinkable.
Overall - Good beer, not outstanding but worth trying. Definitely a good option when the selection is limited.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2009 00:32:22 | More by Aenema

Boofshavik

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Dancing Bear pub in Waco.

Pours a hazy opaque orange with a thick 2-3 fingers of beige head. The head thins out but sticks around a while and laces fairly heavily.

The aroma is somewhat weak, some bready and yeasty characters present in the swirl.

It's sweet, but balanced. There's an very pleasant forward citrusy hop character. Finishes a little dry.

Nicely carbonated and refreshing in the mouth on this roasting summer day. Right on style.

Highly quaffable. We don't get many Descutes products down here and this could certainly be a hot day go-to.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2009 22:22:27 | More by Boofshavik

DeathbySexyBT

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Deep copper with a head and lacing that creates a picturesque brew.

S: Cascade hops and herbs.

T: Fruity esthers are preceded by a sweet bready grain flavor. Slightly dry, but the citrus flavors make this a down right refreshing Pale Ale.

M: Dry and sugary aftertase. Goes down smooth and easy though.

D: Easy to drink, but solid and interesting enough to go back for more.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2009 13:48:02 | More by DeathbySexyBT

nomomentwasted

Oregon

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at the Cheesecake Factory at Washington Square Mall in Portland tonight. Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Coppery and thin white head with decent lacing. Standard Pale Ale affair here, which is a lovely looking and decently carbonated ale.

Smell: Mild, but small citrus and piny hops come through with the slightly wheaty malt as well.

Taste: Crisp and light with malt and sweetness up front with the hops coming a bit later, but never come on all that strongly. The best way to describe this would be well-balanced and unassuming, and perhaps unoffensive as well. My girlfriend, and non-beer drinker, enjoyed it enough as well, which says something for the hops being mild enough. Nothing too complex or interesting here, just balanced and tasty.

Mouthfeel: Dry and light, with a slightly oily finish and coating, but certainly not too powerful or carbonated. Went well to wash down my appetizers.

Drinkability: Easy-going and hardly made a dent, even after the second one. Drinks easy and tastes solid, definitely a solid and enjoyable sessioning beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2009 05:57:23 | More by nomomentwasted

jdg204

Pennsylvania

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

Another offering from my Pacific Northwest vacation, picked this one up at a nice little ocean front lodge in Olympic National Park. Along with Alaskan Amber, this seems to be the other commonly available micro in the Pacific NW so I was excited to try it.

A: Cloudy apricot color with a modest head that leaves a dancing pattern of lace.

S: Very fruity aromatics of grapefruit and apricot, with a bit of caramel to finish.

T: Strong but brief fruity introduction before a bitter hoppy flavors dominate after the swallow with some residual sweetness on the tip of the tongue. Flavor was very robust.

M: Medium body but the rawness of the flavor made this a slow sipper.

D: Not for the faint of heart, a pretty wild Pale Ale offering. Not a bad choice at all considering how many places that I found it available, a rock solid go-to Micro that's easy to find. My first Deschutes and they've definitely got me interested in trying more.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2009 09:02:20 | More by jdg204

beertunes

Washington

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served in a pint glass at Cap Hansens bar in Bellingham, WA. Poured a beautiful, clear, light amber color with an inch of white head.

A solid, but not sweet, malt scent reaches the nose carrying the the subtle and solid floral hop aromas. The flavors follow the scent, as expected. An extremely well balanced beer, this does not fall into the trap of trying to be an IPA-Lite. Enjoyably smooth and tasty, this beer is a reliable companion for most situations.

Worth seeking out, this should be considered a solid go-to beer, suitable for quenching thirst after yard work or introducing someone to the world of craft beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2009 02:42:10 | More by beertunes

Yetiman420

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Double Dog in Aspen CO.

Poured into a standard, non logo pint glass. A clear copper color with a thin white head with staying power. Fine bubble lacing left a mostly consistent film during consumption.

Aroma is a light sweetness with very faint hop aroma. Some off arom which I attribute to neglect of the tap lines (Aspen and quality beer are not a solid match).

Some malty bite on the finish with sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2009 03:46:39 | More by Yetiman420

srandycarter

California

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

A murky copper not much head.

S honey like sweetness really nice

T nice solid malt clean taste bitter finish

M good med body nice balance full mouth experience

D. Probably my go to at peoria spring training. Really hard to do this on the BlackBerry ...

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2009 20:21:27 | More by srandycarter

MisterClean

California

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

On tap at Sac Brew

A - Pours golden, with a 2 fingered off-white head. Dissipates moderately slow, leaving beautiful lacing. Role model.

S/T - Toffee, flower, and some bittering hops.

M - Full bodied, hop-dominated, really good though.

D - Great pale ale. The smell and taste could be a little better to leave me in complete awe.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2009 04:52:14 | More by MisterClean

Brewsmith

California

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

On tap at the Yardhouse in Long Beach. Aroma has some citrus/pine hops in there...cascade. Color is a golden amber with a small off-white head. Flavor is a wonderful balance between malt and hops, biscuity, toasty, a little caramel without being sweet, while still being hop forward. light to medium bodied with a dry finish. A very nice example of an APA.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2009 06:39:04 | More by Brewsmith

dalion037

California

4.72/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was rather impressed to find this on tap at the Chargers/Colts playoff game at Qualcomm and since I never had one I tried it.

I was impressed with color and smell from the start. It poured a very nice deep reddish brown with a silky, lacy head. You could smell the hops from about 6-8 inches from the nose. I thougt it was an IPA from the smell. The taste was a fruity, floraly hop taste with a malty back.

It's a great everyday beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2009 20:29:00 | More by dalion037

xare

Ohio

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

This beer has a golden appearance with a nice white head. Looks like every other pale ale out there, but somewhat above average. Nothing else really sets it apart as far as looks went.

Smell was nice - piney and that's about all I could get but that isn't a bad thing. Rather pleasant and above average.

Taste was very clean and had a piney hopped finish. Really can't ask for more from an APA except for something distinctive to set it apart from the rest of them. Well executed though.

Mouthfeel was crisp and clear. No aftertaste.

Drinkability was excellent. If it wasn't so hard to acquire, I'd definitely drink a lot more of this brew.

Either that or make more trips down to the Grand Canyon as I had this on tap at the El Tovar Cocktail Room. It's well worth drinking, especially if you can find it and enjoy a simple but well-done APA.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2008 01:07:35 | More by xare

xhcadamx

Maine

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

A - light orange with a nice pillow upon pillow head. The best lacing I have ever seen on a beer.

S - Grapefruit, C - Hops, and some toasty malt

T - Just like it smells which is a good thing! An unexpected sweetness from the malt. Nice bitter aftertaste a little dry at the end.

M - Decent mouthfeel, I would like to see less body on this one - it would help with drinkability

D - Had a couple of these tonight and would like a couple more

An excellent APA and I like seeing this one around.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2008 08:58:31 | More by xhcadamx

beersheppard

Texas

3.6/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: golden, with a white retreating head.

Smell: Malts, honey, brown sugar.

Taste: Malts, honey, brown sugar. Its listed as an APA, but its style reminds me more of British PA with malts up front and hops on the finish. If you are looking for a super hoppy west-coast style this one isn't for you.

Mouthfeel: good tingle, crisp, and refreshing.

Drinkability: Nice tasting PA, would get again, nothing too crazy, very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2008 20:44:06 | More by beersheppard

funkyspunk87

California

3.43/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Mirror Pond Pale Ale
Deschutes Brewery, Inc.
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
ABV: 5.50 %

Presentation: Off the tap at the Santa Barbara beer Festival

Pretty solid Pale Ale. Not the best, not the worst. Subtle flavors that go well together and a nice, smooth finish. Probably would opt for Sierra Nevada or Firestone over this one.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2008 23:10:00 | More by funkyspunk87

Magpie14

Michigan

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

A: golden color, looks like a standard pale. Lacing was the best part as it left ring after ring in my glass. A picture in itself!

S: up front the hops most notable with a hint of honey sweet

T: very laid back pale ale..in some regards a bit thin. Has floral hops and grapefruit. Some malts are present that help round things out.

M: smooth and well balanced with slight sharp hop finish

D: good all night drinker, middle of the road.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2008 05:09:41 | More by Magpie14