Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale - Great Lakes Brewing Company

tadowdaddy

Michigan

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

A- Cloudy amber, huge head, excellent lacing and great retention.

S- Hoppy! Citrus hops, most especially grapefruit and a tad bit of lemon in the scent.

T- Delicious! Very balanced beer. A tad bit of caramel malts and finishes with a bitter citrus hop explosion. Some earthy tones as well. More like an IPA than an APA.

M- Thick, creamy... Leaves a delicious bitter taste in my mouth.

D- Easily drinkable. Drank 3 of them in an hour and a half at Ashley's. No sense of the alcohol... Delicious and easily sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2008 07:13:27 | More by tadowdaddy

yesyouam

New York

3.25/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled at the Flour City Brewers' Fest 2008. Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale is a clear, slightly carbonated golden ale. The head is thick, foamy and off-white. It has great retention and leaves nice lacing on the glass. The aroma is a little muted by the head, but it's mostly fresh citrus, probably Cascade. It is medium bodied, a little starchy in the mouth and the finish is dry. It has pretty good balance, OK bitterness. There is a slight phenolic flavor. Not bad!
(rated Aug 17, 2008)

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2008 14:15:10 | More by yesyouam

xare

Ohio

4.65/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance is lovely, perfect sized head for an APA and very nice golden color that's a bit more on the caramel side than the yellow side. Even laces and streaks on the sides of the glass.

Smell is of fresh hops and blended so well that I can't wait to dive into the bottle or draft - I've had this both ways and there is almost no difference between on-tap and bottles. That's how good this brew is.

Taste is excellent and just bitter enough to give you a taste of the hops while keeping you wanting more. I think it actually tastes better than Sierra Nevada by far.

Mouthfeel is outstanding. Virtually no aftertaste and is actually very smooth and creamy. Can't get better than that.

Drinkability is outstanding. I have to remind myself to pace myself. Excellent as an one-of or as a session beer. This is a permanent part of my rotation and I try to have it at least every other week at a minimum.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2008 19:31:03 | More by xare

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Orangish/copper colored body with an off-white head. Leaves some lacing hanging around.

Smells both hoppy and malty.

Taste is a good balance between hops and malts. Fiarly dry mouthfeel. A nice APA.

Very drinkable; it disappeared pretty quickly from my pint glass.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2008 14:36:34 | More by Hojaminbag

DrunkenMaster

California

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Jimmys. Golden colored beer with a creamy head. Aroma is bready malts with grapefruit and pine in the background. Subtle bitterness with more of the bready malts. This beer is easy to drink. I actually get more pine and citrus towards the end than I did in the beginning.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2008 12:35:37 | More by DrunkenMaster

JonathanL7890

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've reviewed this in a bottle but I wanted to try this on tap. Well I got my chance on a layover in the Cleveland Airport. I stopped by the Great Lakes Brewpub in the airport.

Poured a 1 finger head into a 22oz glass.

Aroma is very Citrusy, , strawberry, cherry

Taste is quite solid. The hops are bursting with freshness. A delight! Mild bitterness lingers on the palate afterwards.

Mouthfeel : very creamy - perfect level of carbonation.

Drinkability excellent. The only thing stopping me from having a couple more is the flight I have to get on in a half hour.

I think this is their flagship beer -- what an awesome, awesome brew. I tried to take a keg with me but they wouldn't let me.

I plan to keep lots of Ohio friends who can send me GL beer until I see this in Texas.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2008 23:14:12 | More by JonathanL7890

tempest

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Cleveland-Hopkins airport

Nice, there's a touch of cocoa in the malt that really sets this pale ale apart nicely. Otherwise, the hops provide a great, piney hops bite. Overall this is a nice change of pace from SNPA wannabe's with the slightly dark grains and more rounded yet more harsh hops in use. It may not be crisp, but it's mighty tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2008 21:27:35 | More by tempest

madtowndmb1

Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this last night in Madison, WI on tap and I was very pleased. Evrything about this beer was great, smelled of a well hopped beer. The taste was well-rounded and not harsh at any point. I could've stayed and had 5 or 6 of these pretty easily!!!

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2008 00:04:46 | More by madtowndmb1

Natural510

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice tan color with orange overtones. Nice head & carbonation from the keg.
This is a smooth ale with a distinct hop kick. The bitterness is not overpowering, as in many pale ales, and is balanced out somewhat by sweet overtones. Nice citrusy afternotes.
Very drinkable, as it provides enough hops for purists as well as going down nice & easy for the average beer drinker. One of the better APA's I've been served.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2008 05:15:54 | More by Natural510

GRPunk

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap poured into a pint glass.

A- It poured a nice red-orange color with a thin white head that became a nice lace that stuck to the side of the glass.

S- It seemed pretty balanced. Definite floral hop presence was countered by a sweet malt aroma.

T- A bit less balanced than the aroma would let on. This seemed like one of those beers that blurs the line between an American Pale Ale and an IPA. Lots of grapefruit flavor from the hops with a lighter bready taste from the malts.

M- Nice solid feel.

D- Easy drinker. I could have more than one in a sitting.

Overall- A very solid beer that goes nicely with food. It can be a real "go to" beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2007 03:26:08 | More by GRPunk

genog

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served from the tap, pours a copper, dark orange color with a creamy white head. Smell is sweet malt along with some floral, hoppy notes. Taste is very hoppy for an APA with a floral hop presence. Some sweet malt is also there. The mouthfeel on this one is highly carbonated as well. This is another great offering from Great Lakes. I like this APA a lot. Its a big beer for a Pale Ale.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2007 02:41:19 | More by genog

Risser09

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Burning River IPA On Tap
A: Golden Yellow in color. White head reaches 1” and subsides to leave some moderate lacing.
S: Creamy and almost milk smelling. Hops that smell bitter and not floral.
T: Straw and hay. This beer tastes more like a bitter than an APA. Not much hop profile or juiciness. Nice bitterness of apple and lemon peel though.
M: Smoothe and creamy with a bitter finish. Again, not very close to the style characteristics that I thought it would abide by. Alcohol is apparent in the bitter finish.
D: Great for the summer, although I wouldn’t go out of my way to pursue this one.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2007 17:05:42 | More by Risser09

Monsone

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured on draft into a shaker pint glass. Beer is a nice white color with a white finger width head.

S - Aroma is floral hops and toffee malt

T - Flavor is pine and citrus with a bready malt backbone. Malt and hops is very well balanced.

M - Medium body with a creamy mouthfeel.

D - Very drinkable, very sessionable APA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2007 17:43:17 | More by Monsone

kimcgolf

Georgia

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours to a dark gold color with medium off-white head that lingers well and leaves good lacing. Nice, hoppy aroma and flavor. Mouthfeel was tingly and bitter, with the bitterness carrying over perfectly into the nice, long finish. This is one of the best offerings I've had from Great Lakes.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2007 09:50:35 | More by kimcgolf

dherling

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured out a golden color with a thin off white head, minimal lacing. The nose was fairly sweet, accompanied by lemon and melon. The taste was slightly hoppy, sweet, with grapefruit pith and melon. Had a medium body and crisp carbonation. Was a nice, very drinkable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2007 18:37:07 | More by dherling

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Much of what I remember from drinking from the bottle. However, on tap, the beer comes across smoother, softer, and much more bready / biscuity than I remember. Moderately malty and yeasty with the anticipated perfumy, citrus, piney hop aromas and flavors. Delicate, nearly Wit-like, textures: creamy, silky, and smooth. Overall, not as in-your-face as Sierra Nevada or Flying Dog, but perhaps better balanced. And to think, I nearly forgot how well this beer tasted. Silly me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2007 18:37:11 | More by BEERchitect

shivtim

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Clear orange/red with a small white head. Nose is pretty hoppy, with a malt backbone. Taste is a decent hop flavor, slight malts, and some sour citrus. Nice. Mouthfeel is great, super smooth and well carbonated. Drinkability is good. Nice brew from GLBC.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2007 05:13:38 | More by shivtim

plaid75

New York

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

Poured a medium copper hue with a one finger pillowy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a very aromatic oily citrus hop. There was a nice peppery element as well.

The taste was upfront oily hop with excellent grapefruit, orange and white pepper elements. There was a solid biscuity grain bill as well.

The mouthfeel was full with a dry finish.

Overall a very good APA experience. This beer has more kick than your average APA. Highlt recommended

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2006 14:08:26 | More by plaid75

Bones54

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Yet another great offering by Great Lakes. This is a very generously hopped pale ale. I would argue that this is even tastes a bit more like an IPA then a pale ale.

Gotta love the name too. Great Lakes takes a dark moment in Cleveland history and turns it into a great beer. That a way GLB, doing your best to boost the Cleveland image!

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2006 04:34:34 | More by Bones54

Rudgers73

New York

3.4/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured on tap in Pittsburg.

A- Amber-reddish clear. Fluffy thick head.

S- Very vegetabley and herbal. It kinda worried me when I smelled it because I really didn't think it was going to taste good at all.

T- Thick, malty, creamy and very buttery. All I could taste was the overwhelming biscuit taste. Really unique.

M- Thick and creamy rolled around like a ball of bread dough in your mouth. Warming and coating.

D- It was fun to try, but not really my taste.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2006 23:00:48 | More by Rudgers73

neenerzig

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark golden clear amber color with a nice white foamy head. The head on mine took a little while to settle. This beer on tap really isn't any different from having it out of the bottle. There are smells of citrus, caramel, and hops present. Hops, malt, citrus, and a bit of caramel make up the flavor. The taste is very well balanced. Has a nice smooth creamy and crisp mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Very easy to drink in a good way. An excellent beer.

Eric

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2006 17:46:44 | More by neenerzig

jcdiflorio

West Virginia

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

Pours with white creamy head. Golden amber color very clear for the color.Piney citrisy aroma.sweet malty taste piney citusy aftertaste just like the aroma. Really makes you mouth water for more.I have this beer on my home draught system several times a year everybody really enjoys this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2006 02:42:28 | More by jcdiflorio

jyeast101

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Amber in color. Flowery in smell with the usual hops overtones in an IPA. Good mouthfeel and incredibly drinkable, as I had 4 in my sitting. One of the best IPA's I've ever had. Incredibly balanced. Nice aftertaste of hops and not over-hopped, which can be a tendency in this IPA climate. I highly reccommend this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2006 21:26:05 | More by jyeast101

Backer2004

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(part of a sampler at the Great Lakes brewpub)

I need something special for a Pale Ale to stand out. This one was good but not great. Hoppy but with average mouthfeel for the style. Great name and label (nice sense of humor). No real head or lacing, aokay carbonation. Could have been better but nothing to complain about either.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2005 02:40:24 | More by Backer2004

BuckSpin

Maine

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(part of a sampler at the Great Lakes brewpub)

Poured as pretty as new copper penny, just a beautiful, crisp, clean hue with a clinging head of creamy foam. A very pretty beer. Nose was, of course, hopped, with a sweet accent to it.

Yup, hops on the tongue. Crisp, enjoyable, some malts occassionaly break through, but this beer is about hops. After the mild break on the pallete and the whisper of some spice, more unique hops rise on the throat, with a bitter finish. This is as good a Pale Ale as you'll find, and it goes excellent with a variety of strong, spicy foods. I couldn't drink these one after the other, but one is very nice and worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2005 00:19:35 | More by BuckSpin