Loser Pale Ale - Elysian Brewing Company

nbaeteer

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Appearance: As is the case with most other aspects of this beer its appearance isn't what I would normally expect from a pale ale. Definately at the top end of the saturated gold pale ale color range. That being said it's a beautifull color with a nice 1/2 inch head that gets thinner but hangs on until the bottom of the glass.

Smell: Piney. Resin? Citrus although I cant pin down exactly what I'm smelling. Doesnt have the noticeable grapefruit smell in other pale ales

Taste: More booze than I expect or really want from a pale ale. I'd rather get a lighter hop flavor first with a little bit of booze coming through.

Mouthfeel: Again. Not as crisp as I would expect. Judging on mouthfeel alone it's an IPA.

Overall: In basketball players who don't really fit into any one position but can do a few different things well enough are known as "tweeners" and this is a tweener beer. The Andre Iguadola of beers perhaps?

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 04:15:37 | More by nbaeteer

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.24/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Clear bronze with an off-white head, good retention, really nice rings of lace.

S: Great fruity hop aroma, hints of pine and sweet toffee malts.

T: Quite fruity with plenty of resiny hop bitterness. Sponge toffee, light alcohol warmth.

M: Moderate body is smooth with a light hop acidity and a drying alcohol finish.

O: Rather large for a pale ale, but an excellent drinker.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 01:36:02 | More by Derek

vkv822

Oregon

3.19/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz : tulip

Orange with a foamy white head and spotty lacing.

Light notes of citric, fruity hops are fairly well balanced with a pale malt backing.

Medium body, foamy carbonation.

A decent APA. All aspects are done to style, but it seems a bit subdued/underwhelming overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 08:18:13 | More by vkv822

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked this up at giant eagle in Hermitage last week.

A- Body is a cloudy, translucent golden yellow hue. Body has dynamic fogginess. Pours with a nice foamy 1-2 finger head and leaves some lacing behind in the glass.

S- Nose is classic APA. Grain, floral hops, pale malt.

T- Upfront is a lot of floral hop overtones with a mild pale malt backbone. The finish is smooth and all floral hop flavor with a mild to moderate lingering residual bitterness.

M- Medium carbonation, smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Very Good.

D- Overall this is a very good, classic APA. Fantastic smooth mouthfeel and very good drinkability. I will have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 02:56:47 | More by PittBeerGirl

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The bottle inventory in my house has been undergoing a serious reduction of late, but it is back to work tomorrow, so I am trying to get in a couple/few more while the opportunity still exists.

From the bottle: "Corporate Beer Still Sucks."; "Loser Pale Ale Celebrating over 20 years of celebrating Sub Pop Records with beer. Specifically, this beer. Brewed with Pale, Munich, Crystal and Cara-Hell malts. Bittered with Sorachi Ace and finished with Crystal hops."; "Brewhouse Elysian Brewing Company is an award-winning Northwest brewery operating three distinct Seattle brewpubs."; "Cheers! [undersigned] Dick Cantwell, Head Brewer"; "The name Sub Pop is used with the permission of Sub Pop Records."

My initial pour resulted in a finger-and-a-half of foamy, tawny head with good retention. Color was a deep-amber, coppery, even, with NE-quality clarity. Nose was grapefruit with some caramel thrown in to reduce the intensity. I would even say oranges or tangerines to go with the caramel. Brach's Candies used to make flavored caramels that I would eat while visiting my maternal grandmother and this reminds me somewhat of them. Mouthfeel was medium and the citrusy hops seemed to pop on the tongue, initially, giving 'way to a wash of caramel maltiness. Finish was semi-dry with the hops lingering well past the swallow. It really was not, as some reviewers have remarked, what I would consider an IPA, but it was on the upper end of the scale in terms of both hop profile and ABV for an APA. I have drank this beer repeatedly, but this was my first opportunity to sit and write a review. Would I drink it again? Heck, yes!

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 20:31:39 | More by woodychandler

atr2605

New York

3.73/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-pours a orange/golden color with an off white head with decent retention
S-citrus, biscuit and yeast
T-pine and biscuit flavor up front with citrus coming in the finish. Biscuit lingers throughout
M-medium bodied
O-Not bad, well balanced. Not my go to beer but I would drink it again

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 02:43:01 | More by atr2605

Bitter_Echo

Michigan

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this bomber from a visit from a friend from WA. Thanks, Mike! I slipped this into my tumbler, so I'm not sure of head. Smells of malts and grains first, some floral hops, but a bit masked by the malt presence. Tastes like it smells too, but a bit more hop forward than what was expected, for a pale, and might really make this more in line with an IPA than anything else...but a good thing too, given the long sustain of the hops and terrific carbonation, mouthfeel and satisfying afterward. Might turn some off looking for a tamer ale, but I though this terrific and fresh and good!

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 18:04:39 | More by Bitter_Echo

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer has a heavy malt presence with an odd kind of alcohol burn to it, along several lines. Something seems out of order with the whole thing, though it is drinkable. I suppose it strikes me as muddled. And the burn to it masks any other character that might be trying to show. Overall, a mediocre showing.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 02:57:23 | More by RblWthACoz

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a slightly cloudy, deep golden color with a very nice fluffy white head with good retention.

The scent is of light citrus and some herbal hops.

The taste is of bitter citrus hops, some notes of bread, and some lemon zest.

Medium body, smooth with a dry finish, moderate carbonation.

Overall this was more flavorful than normal pale ale, nicely balanced and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2012 14:38:05 | More by BeerCon5

Dodt

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

found this beer during one of my beer trips . poured into a fresh clean pint glass.feel a bit silly went to take a sniff of this beer and went in a little bit to close and got a bit up my nose.nice color . with a great hops and citrus presents. not a bad beer , can't wait to try other beers from this brewery

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 00:31:23 | More by Dodt

BigPlay1824

New York

2.83/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Enjoyed in a pint glass

A: pours a moderately hazy orangish amber color with a nice amount of carbonation bubbles on the glass, pours with a solid amount of very fluffy head that kind of seams heavy like cream, head is light tan in color with large bubbles and lingers for quite a while, dissipates and leaves lacing all over the glass
S: slight vanilla notes, kind of like hop extract rather than the cones or leaves, fruity notes like peaches
T: interesting notes of vanilla as seen in the scent, quite bitter, earthy like roots or dirt, kind of has a slight pineapple note, its interesting all together, not the best tasting apa by any means but eh its alright
M: medium carbonation tingle, bitter, leaves the mouth noticeably dry
O: it was ok, not really up my alley for what i was hoping but it was ok enough, wont buy it again, some notes were just odd as far as im concerned like the vanilla

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 00:18:52 | More by BigPlay1824

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to juliusseizure (Reddit) for this one.

Pours a light fizzy head covering that barely even makes a head, over very hazy nectar orange red colored beer.

Nose light citrus and floral hops, candied orange peel, a light sweet caramel and toasty reddish malts, and even a light grassy hop.

Taste starts with a light sweet malt, caramel and toasty reddish malts, little toffee. Then hops, faint bitterness, little grassy and citrus hop, again candied orange peel but light. The finish dries a bit and brings a light spicy but quite bitter hop finish, long lingering bitterness and hint of caramel at the end.

Mouth is med bodied, decent carb.

Overall meh, nothing special, too much malt, hops are Ok but not great, not very drinkable either with the big spicy hop bitter lingering finish.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 23:06:40 | More by jlindros

Murrhey

Montana

2.98/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass. Reviewed live.

A- Two-finger width offwhite head. Long retention, thick fluffy lacing. Light-orange color with high clarity. Clean looking beer.

S- Hop-forward, floral and sweet. Some light fruits, sugar and warm hops. Delightful smell.

T- Same floral hop character as in the smell, with a bitter malt body. The taste is a tad funky to me. Something's a bit off.

M- Heavier body for a pale ale, medium carbonation. Dry finish.

O- Ups and downs. Lovely smell, average appearance and feel, and wonky taste. My first Elysian, but hopefully not my last.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 00:12:43 | More by Murrhey

EspressoGuy

British Columbia (Canada)

2.83/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: hazy, opaque buckwheat honey with orange hints
S: nice fresh pine, grapefruit rind, caramel, melon,
T:rich, full; a big, dense ball of flavour in the middle and high, dry bitterness in the finish. Definitely more of the Double/Imperial IPA type rather than American Pale Ale.
M: full-bodied. A beer to have with a big rich meal rather to to refresh on the deck. Scored according to style listed.
O: the 7% alcohol doesn't seem to allow for the malt and hops to come through. It's just big and bold without any style or complexity. Wouldn't buy again.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 20:41:05 | More by EspressoGuy

MadScientist

New York

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer beer pour a lightly hazy, deep gold with small particulate floaters. The off-white settles to a thin cap on top after a minute.

S: The is moderate hops aroma that is a spicy and flowery with a bit of lemon. The malt is almost no existent and there is a slight fruit ester.

T: The flavor is a good balance between a medium lemony hop flavor and a medium malt with a light bready character. There is a moderately high hops bitterness that carries through the dry finish.

M: It has a medium-light body and moderate carbonation. There is slight hint of alcohol warmth.

O: An enjoyable better than average pale ale. They've done a good job keeping the sorachi ace restrained but it's not a hop flavor I enjoy on it's own.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 01:48:14 | More by MadScientist

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

a clean but opaque deep amber/burgundy pour with 2 fingers of head which left behind great amounts of lacing. the smell is very weak.. a slight amount of malt, barely any hops.. i'm smelling a hint of rye/bready smell.
very subtle in taste up front.. slightly sweet but getting a slight earthy bitterness towards the end. not really impressed here. it's a good brewery, and was once a killer (now still decent) record label.. i don;t really get why this beer tastes so bland :-/
medium body, nicely carbonated, nice creamy feel on lips.
it's a standard ale.. not really hoppy... more of a light tasting esb, with a high abv% .. nothing really impressive, which is kind of surprising.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 22:50:56 | More by facundoCNB

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Elysian Brewing's "Loser" Pale Ale @ 7.0% served cold from a 650 ml bottle
A-pours a dark golden/amber , bit hazy , with a thin white head , very little retention or lacing along the stein
S-citrus hops , herbal medicine
T-a spicy hoppy grapefruit start followed by a boozy whallop in the middle , the finish is dry with a slight tangy bitterness lingering on my palate
MF-medium carbonation , the ABV at 7.0% is definately not a corporate beer , but the overall bitterness is to high for me
Ov-glad I got to try one , but for me a one and done beer review/tasting , way to bitter

cheers LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 22:20:47 | More by LampertLand

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.98/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this beer on-tap at the brewery in Seattle.

Pours a coppery golden colour, with no visible hazing. Body is light, with streaming carbonation forming in patches. Head is white and filmy, with a fine ring leaving inconsistent lace. Not bad, but not that exciting overall.

Nose is pleasant and oddly savoury. Some light crisp lemon is forwards, along with crushed celery and leaves. It's slightly vegetative and bright. Nice stuff.

Clean light entry on the palate with a touch of lemon. Bright but empty palate gives a refreshing aspect, but adds only minimal interest. Finish has a clean bitterness which underlines this. It's soft all over, and in real terms, a little dull. But it really does work.

Overall, yeah, it's not bad. It has a smoothness, a lightness, and it's really very drinkable. I've seen Sorachi Ace put to better use though—here it's extremely subtle.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2012 04:30:12 | More by lacqueredmouse

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A nice shade of amber brown with a 1/2 inch of head. Lacing is minimal.

S - Smell is fairly herbal, mostly sweet pine/citrus hops, cookie crust, and a touch of herbal bitterness.

T - Actually quite good. More dominant with Bitters and a touch of pale malts but has a fairly balanced IPA body. Hoppy with a gram cracker finish.

M - Light to medium easy to drink.

Overall I believe this is the first Elysian beer I enjoyed. A nice take on the Pale ale style.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 00:10:02 | More by DrDemento456

smakawhat

Maryland

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A real nice amber hue from light brown chestnut at the top to red and then orange at the bottom. Opaque. Head forms slowly makes barely two figners and is off white with a uniform appearance, and some creamy faint lacing.

Biscuity malt and chewy cookie sweetness on the nose. Faint hop action, but some sweet alcohol like rush also. Not bad quite inviting, hints at English Bitter...

Taste seems to be a simple malt graham and milk sweetness. Sugar sweet with a faint pine like hop in aftertaste. Good solid thick body with out a lot of syrup. Some nice herbal tea like hop tastes as well.

Overall kind of basic, reminds me more of an English bitter than anything, but easily drinkable even at 7%. Would have again.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 19:27:02 | More by smakawhat

cswhitehorse

Oregon

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The loser pours a deep amber color with a solid 2 finger plus head. Good head retention with nice web lacing.

The smell is sweet and fruity. Tastes lemony and real spicy. Good residual sugar in this one. Tastes more like an IPA to me at 7.0ABV and with a large hop presence to it. It is only 57 ibu but comes across strong. Good mouthfeel to the beer as the hops stick to the tongue.

Overall a good beer from a brewery I should visit next time in Seattle.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 01:32:48 | More by cswhitehorse

CookstLiquor

British Columbia (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 650ml bottle. This was originally brewed a few years ago to celebrate Sub Pop's 20th anniversary, but it's stuck around as a regular offering.

Pours a hazy copper orange with adequate ivory coloured foam. Smells like a dream, with ample piney-fruity hop notes and some sweet malt notes as well. Taste follows suit, though the rich malt notes come through a little more than the plentiful aromatic hops. The higher ABV lends it a pleasant booziness that's unusual for a pale ale. Call this an Imperial Pale Ale, perhaps? Whatever you want to call it, it's easy to drink and nicely balanced.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 23:12:17 | More by CookstLiquor

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Elysian Loser Pale Ale. Generic logo looks pretty cool, actually. Sub Pop logo graces the label and the brewery boasts celebrating 20 years of Sub Pop records. I'm currently listening to Cake, but I think I might pop on Badmotorfinger during this drinking session.

Well-hazed and well-carbonated burnt orange beer with a a solid crown of bone-white head. Two inches worth, and it's not falling for anyone or anything. Cascading bubbles are in effect, but they have to dodge suspended sediment to get to the surface. Got to hand it to them, boy, Elysian is known for floaties!

Toasted grain, tropical fruit medley, whole grain cracker dust, and some sweetness. Picking up some passion fruit, mango, orange, and grapefruit. Wowsers!

Very similar to Alpha King in the taste. A little more tropicalia to the fruits in the hop flavor. Firmly bitter with a generous dose of toast from the malts (but, perhaps, a little paler than Alpha King in that regard). Cherimoya, nectarine, and lime all from the hops. Very nice! Beastly too, with an alcohol bite that is perfectly stated for 7% ABV!

Every sip has a little foam in it 'cause that head never leaves! Nice balance of sop, hop, and whop. Great consistency to the body. Drinks easier than Alpha King!

Killer brew, and totally unexpected! Best thing I've ever had from these guys (seeing as I poorly rated their IPA series). My surprise beer of the night!

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 03:55:20 | More by thecheapies

harrymel

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled: unk

Pours a nice hazy orange with a broken sheet of light almond foam. Nose carries citrus: oranges and lemons; with a subdued dose of light and crispy malts but under the heaviness of a good dose of crystal. Flavor is dry and crisp with good ESB maltiness and a bitten finish followed by a slight sweetness. Medium on full bodied with reserved carb and some thick finish. Nice beer, really easy to drink and a crowd pleasing SOB.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 16:24:27 | More by harrymel

flagmantho

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bomber into a pint glass.

Appearance: pale orange hue with a light haze and a light effervescence. Head is a thick finger of frothy ivory foam. Quite good looking.

Smell: very good aroma with fruity, citrusy hops with a light funk undercurrent. "Floral tangerine" comes to mind to describe this smell. A lightly bready malt is also present underneath; overall, quite good.

Taste: more of that tangerine comes through in the flavor with a moderate and balanced bitterness toward the end. Malt character is a bit dry and bready, but I find that works well with this hop combination.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a low level of carbonation. There is a light creaminess to the body, but I think I would prefer at least a little more carbonation.

Overall: an enticing aroma and satisfying flavor of tropical, citrusy hops will keep me coming back for more.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 22:36:02 | More by flagmantho