Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Style Pale Ale - Alexander Keith's

Slyguy

Alberta (Canada)

2.48/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I would not call this an ale as it is far too light and shallow to compare to the ales.

This beer has an average light golden/yellow pour, clean with a light head. There is a noticeable lack of sensations from this beer but despite this shortcoming, it still comes across as a light and refreshing pint. There is no uniqueness to this beer, and nothing to stand above other drinks, but if you are faced with a tap with no preferrable beers, this makes for a simple unoffensive drink.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2013 05:14:26 | More by Slyguy

mrfreakybig

New York

2.08/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

This beer poured a crystal clear amber color with a good amount of fizz. There wasn't too much to this beer, and I didn't like it very much. It reminded my of just about any other cheap beer, with that certain Canadian beer flavor, plus a little malt. I don't recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 13:33:23 | More by mrfreakybig

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap at King Edward's Arms in Markham, ON

A: Pours a crystal clear pale yellow with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall soapy white head which reduces to a layer covering the entire surface of the beer, though thicker at the edges of the glass. Significant lacing is observed.

S: Extremely light aroma with just the faintest hint of grainy malts and some very light almost grassy hops.

T: The flavor is more sharp/crisp but with a lower amount of sweetness than I expected. There is a light grainy/caramel sweetness to the malts and a subtle citrus hops in the finish (but there is not a lot of bitterness and it does not linger).

M: Light bodied with high amounts of carbonation.

O: Good but nothing special, not really what I would consider a pale ale as the hop characteristic is just too subdued. The beer is easy to drink, refreshing, and crisp. Probably would be really good on the boat, out in the lake, fishing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 01:49:25 | More by dbrauneis

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

2.23/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed from session notes.

A. Standard clear amber color with a receding foam collar, no head, no lacing.

S. Some metallic smell, some corn, some faint maltiness, all three characteristics are very light in the nose for the color spectrum I of the beer. I'd expect this kind of nose off a lager, not an ale. Is that what they call a Nova Scotian Ale? A lager? But that can't be right because I've already tried the lager from this brewery.

T. Vaguely sweet caramel malt, super diluted in levels, and a whisper thin level of herbal hopping. Finishes metallic just like the nose indicated. Disappointing.

M. Medium body and carbonation levels.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 19:14:38 | More by WastingFreetime

Bierwolf

Missouri

2.8/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Poured into a pint glass and achieved a thick1 finger head slightly off white in color. It made a fizzy sound like soda pop. Retained a little while leaving light lacing as it went away. Color was a clear light amber.

Smell: I definitely smelled more malt than hops. The hops were in the background producing a slight citrus aroma.

Taste: Again more malt than hops. The hops were there but the bitterness was mild. Slight citrus in the background.

Mouth feel: Light to medium bodied with a dry smooth finish. Here there is a slight aftertaste of hops. This is the only place that they make you notice them.

Overall: I was a bit surprised of the mildness of this beer. I was expecting a bigger hop presence but instead there was more malt. This is not a bad beer but it is not what I expected. I think that as an example of the style it is missing in the taste and aroma areas.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 00:23:37 | More by Bierwolf

TheSarge

Illinois

2.55/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This is my first beer from this brewery...

Pours out heavily carbonated, white frothy head of about two fingers thick and retains decently. Body is copper in color and cleanly filtered.

Smells very metallic, like the inside of a rusty tin can. There are some nuances of wet cardboard mixed in with freshly cut lawn grass.

The taste is buttery, a little toffee, and maybe a bit leathery too. This seems a bit more on the English Pale Ale side, than an APA.

Feels medium to light in body, a bit wetting to the palate, and that's about it.

I figured by its position in the grocery store, this beer is in the same league as maybe Beck's and St Pauly's. Not a drain pour, but not something I'd purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 21:38:43 | More by TheSarge

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.18/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crystal clear deep golden color with a smallish white head that dissipates almost instantly. Smells of sweet honey malt, spicy floral hops, skunk, and corn. Taste is sweet honey like bready malt with enough earthy spicy hops to keep this from cloying. This one steers dangerously close to the sweet side. Medium to light body, moderate level of carbonation, slick sweet mouthfeel. Easy enough to drink with really no flaws, but also a bit boring. Maybe a good lawnmower beer? Should be hoppier.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 03:16:38 | More by johnnnniee

cbutova

Massachusetts

2.6/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A- Pours a golden yellow hue into a pint glass with a small white head. Cap fizzes out fairly quickly and leaves a very thin cloud atop the beer. No lace.

S- Faint aroma with a light malt presence. A tiny bit of hops and fruit as well.

T- Very light flavor, even for an APA. Mostly just sweet light caramel malt. Finishes out with a slight fruit flavor and a small amount of herbal, grassy hops.

MF- Creamy body with high carbonation. Light bitterness.

As far as flavor goes, this one is lighter even for an APA. Just a light malt sweetness throughout.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 03:11:58 | More by cbutova

billybob

Massachusetts

2.55/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

pours a slightly darker golden color one finger head leaving a collar of lace with the first few sips. smells lightly of malt and caramel and hint of fruit. lightly sweet malt with a grainy slightly dry feel light fruity taste leaning to citrus. carbonation is crisp and holds up well. overall its disappointing i would not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 17:52:32 | More by billybob

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clean deep yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, big cascade hops. In the taste, a mellow gingerbread malt and a nice mellow pine hop. A smooth and medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry malt in the aftertaste. OK, a bit light, but nice aroma, of hops.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 19:19:10 | More by OWSLEY069

HalfFull

California

2.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I see this is labeled as an American Pale Ale here on BA. Wasn't sure exactly what a Nova Scotia Style might imply, though a more British origin seemed likely. Poured into a pint glass from a 12 oz. bottle which bears reference to St. Louis, Mo. of all places. The pour is pretty clear with a touch of haze, and moderate to deep straw in color. A half inch of white cap offers some retention. Rather light in color and a but unassuming and with a light carbonation.

Aroma is all adjunct initially and smacks of a macro lager. It does open up pretty quickly, showing a largely neutral graininess. Touch of lemon and a caramel/berry flavor that seems a bit artificial. Hops are pleasant but quite light and of a citric design, as the fruity malt presence is more forward.

Flavor is light and somewhat thin up front with neutral grain/straw notes. This segues quickly to the odd caramel/berry that presented itself on the nose. This odd character does have a decent lingering presence yet is a bit too reminiscent of a wine cooler of yore. Body is thin and lager like but matches the design of the beer adequately. Overall an easy drinking and fruity Leinenkugel-esqe brew as for what I assume are additives/adjuncts/syrups. Not a bad experience but a bit tame in the bedroom.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 04:55:27 | More by HalfFull

drpimento

Wisconsin

2.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Open opening the bottle, immediate fruit and bubblegume aromas. Let the bottle warm a bit out of the fridge and gave it an aggressive pour to get get a large, foamy, frothy, billowy off white head that settled after a bit and a little lace. Color is a clear, deep yellow gold with some slow bubble trails. Aroma is like I said - fruity, bubblegum, plus malt and beery; not much hop that I could sense. Flavor's the same as nose with sweetness slightly trumping bitter and tang. Body is ok, ditto carbonations. Finish is average, malty and a bit sweet on the tip of the tongue. Nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 21:50:26 | More by drpimento

jeffjeff1

California

3.08/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

My mom got this for me in Fairfield.

Appearance- golden color, nice head

Smell- malt, hops

Taste- malt, little bit of hops, light flavor

Mouthfeel- medium bodied

Drinkability- It was ok. I would drink it again. Not too bad but I have had better.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 18:33:28 | More by jeffjeff1

KarlHungus

Minnesota

2.05/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This beer pours a clear golden color. The head is half an inch in height, and recedes quickly into sparse lacing. The aroma is of butterscotch, with a hint of floral hops, but mostly butterscotch. The taste is very spacy with not much going on. There is perhaps some pale malt flavor, but it is extremely faint. The mouthfeel is light bodied with a watery texture, and carbonation that is slightly too high. Overall, this is a bad beer. It isn't bad it that it tastes bad; it is bad because it lacks taste. I will not drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 22:27:47 | More by KarlHungus

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brwon 12 oz. bottle. Has a deep golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is a bit on the malty side. Taste is also malty, rather mild, for a pale ale the hops are really well hidden. Flavor is not offensive but somewhat boring. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 14:49:54 | More by tone77

ADZA

Australia

2.73/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear golden hue which leaves a two finger fluffy head and macro lacing,the smell is grains,honey malts and some flower hops pretty uninspiring,the mouthfeel is lightbodied,uninviting and macro with tastes of honey malts,floral hops,grains and finishes with a doughy bread dryness and overall it reminds of me a macro brew and would not but again cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 03:42:04 | More by ADZA

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a 2" white head. Clear straw yellow body with a touch of gold. Smells mildly of hops. Taste is BMC all the way with a light to medium body and a slight acidic zing in the finish. Hey, it's fine, it's just not a standout in any way. Is this what it means to be Nova Scotian? I guess maybe if you're made in Missouri it does.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 01:43:10 | More by MoreThanWine

mostpoetsdo

Rhode Island

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Dull gold with slightly puffy white head. Little lacing.

S: Mostly grass and adjunct-like grains. Straw, malt.

T: Bready, caramel malt. Maybe a dash of hops hiding in the background. Semi-sweet taste, simple.

M: A lot of carbonation, light to medium body, nothing special.

O/D: Age probably had something to do with this, but it's a sub-par APA, overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 03:25:34 | More by mostpoetsdo

mempath

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +33%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

not as bad as i expected after seeing all those C scores...

sure, average appearance and nose...but the taste kicks up nicely with a biscuity malt presence, not overly sweet, small hop note...it's the mouthfeel that saves it, allows the rather mellow notes present their best. i can live without a great appearance or nose...that of course makes a beer stellar, but this counts where it basically counts. good taste and mouthfeel. i can't slam it but i don't think i'll buy it again when we live in an age of unlimited choices with limited funds and time on earth...

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 21:09:27 | More by mempath

david18

New York

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had this on a recent visit to Toronto. Not my favorite of the trip but considering how easy it was to get not bad.

Appearance was a light pale, very active carbonation but not much head to speak of.

Aroma was very light. More malt than hops but not a whole lot of anything.

Flavor as well was not outstanding. Nothing wrong with it, just a bit on the unremarkable side.

Overall I like this better than Molson but not much more than most other things.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2011 18:18:38 | More by david18

tigg924

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: 1/3 inch head, gold in color, clear, high carbonation

Smell: toasted malt and light citrus hops

Taste: earthy hops, caramel malt, and some meadow

Mouthfeel: high carbonation, light bodied, really sweet with a slightly bitter backbone

Overall: An OK pale ale that is definitely more on the malty side. I miss some of the hops that I normally get with this style. I could have several if offered to me, but would just as easily pass.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 14:20:38 | More by tigg924

begforme4484

Connecticut

2.7/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearence is gold and very clear. Hardly any head formed, but it does leave a very spotty lacing on the glass.

Honestly smelled like a macro lager, was very turned off to that.

A bit of hops right up front followed by a subtle malt backing. Not intense at all.. very subdued flavor.

Kinda on the watery side, not much for carbonation. Not impressed.

Overall, I didn't enjoy this beer. I won't have it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 02:04:53 | More by begforme4484

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light gold color, with a short off-white head that fades very quickly and leaves a very thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains light caramelized malts, some citrus and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with mildly sweet flavors of apples, citrus and caramel followed by some breadiness from a thin malt character. The hops presence is very mild and brings a little bit of balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and a little crisp, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

D: A little flavorful, goes down ok, not too filling, mild kick, not the best representation of style, there are definitely several other beers in the style worth drinking above this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 02:19:54 | More by TheManiacalOne

Zorro

California

2.78/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clear amber colored ale with a small white colored head.

Smells mostly of wheat cracker malt. Hop is herbal and grassy to the nose. Smells clean just not real strong or complex.

Starts out malty and a little sweet with a faint bitter aftertaste. Not much flavor here just some malty and grassy hop.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Overall this is a dull ale. Doesn't taste bad, it mostly just doesn't taste.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 23:03:12 | More by Zorro

WesWes

New York

3.15/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The beer pours a nice golden color with a two finger fizzy white head that quickly fades to spotty lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a malt forward scent that boasts of pale and Munich malts. There is little hop character present and a noticeable malt sweetness. The taste is average. It has a smooth, Munich malt flavor; sweet and malty. It's devoid of any hop character and centers mostly on it's malt taste. The mouthfeel is decent as well. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is an easy drinking beer, but a boring pale ale. Where are the hops?

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 21:32:03 | More by WesWes