Amish Four Grain Pale Ale - Lancaster Brewing Company

BeerLover48Fan

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +39.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Clean ruby-amber color with a fluffy, full head of just off-white bubbles. Good retention on the head. Whispy lacing.
Slight citrus nose, not overly hoppy but more grassy than piney. Grainy nose. Smells subtle, but clean.
Initial bitterness on the tongue. Not too hoppy, even for an APA. Some malty grainyness comes through later in the beer. Some rather subdued citrus comes through, albiet weakly. Not sure of the 4 grains that this is made with, but I'm pretty sure rye is one of them.
Light/medium body with the expected amount of carbonation for an APA.
I was hoping for something with a little more hoppyness, but with a name like Amish Pale Ale, I guess you can't expect something big and over the top. Quite drinkable.

Thanks to my friend a NJ State Trooper for sharing this great beer I will most assuredly try this beer again

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2008 19:53:24 | More by BeerLover48Fan

Puddleglum

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +34.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is quite an Ale! The aroma of this one is rivaled only by Franconia Notch. Wow. The floral notes provided by the hops and esters rising off this freshly poured ale were dizzying. I was afraid to drink it for fear of being let down. I did anyway and I'm glad I did. The taste was complex and perfectly balanced with nice malt and a slight grassy note trumped by the fruity and floral blended with the sweet barley. I love it. It went by too fast.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2005 14:45:26 | More by Puddleglum

HossMcGraw

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +30.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Best Pale Ale in existence to this very day. It's easily the most interesting and complex example of the style I've tried.

Color: Golden brown with large white head and exceptional lacing.
Smell: Very hoppy with some very complex grains
Taste: Initially very hoppy with some raw grain flavors, much like a well made German bread.
Mouthfeel: Perfect
Drink: Only loses points here because it is so robust, it's not really that great for a sesh.

Overall: Keep in mind, I'm truly not being biased because I only live 2 blocks away from this very underrated brewery. Visit it and see for yourself. You'll be happy you did as this will most likely be the best Pale Ale you've ever had. Cherish and respect it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2003 23:24:27 | More by HossMcGraw

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

What a rarity! For those not in the know - LNC BC puts a cask-conditioned beer on every F at 5:00 pm and they run it until it is kicked. There is never any advance notice as to what style it will be as many times, the brewer does not decide until about 15 mins prior.
This had a nice head of foam as it arrived freshly tapped and hand-pulled by the brewer. It had a much more pronounced hops smell than the usual on-tap A4G, plus the color seemed to be a slightly deeper amber than usual. Finally, I felt as though I could taste the malt in this serving style much more acutely.

Serving type: cask

07-31-2004 14:33:19 | More by woodychandler

tjd112

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Presentation - Poured into generic pint glass

Appearance - Amber body with half-finger white head and good lace

Smell - Very bready, but not much more

Taste - Bready with a lot of caramel and some tea-like hoppiness

Mouthfeel - Medium with a hint of dryness

Drinkability - It's going down quickly

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2010 23:07:16 | More by tjd112

fuchebu

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was surprised to see this on draft at Newportville Inn in Bucks County. They usually have good beer but not a diverse micro selection. I figured I better order a pint.

I was sitting in a reasonably well lit spot at the bar so I could gauge a dark golden hue. There was almost no head but that could be due to the pour. The nose was like cereal. If I closed my eyes I might have imagined Cheerios or something similar.

What I had was better. The rye comes through well in the flavor. It had a robust character that made it an interesting drink. But it all balanced out well. It makes for a good drinking beer although I doubt you'll be quaffing it. I didn't notice much hop character but this is still a beer I enjoy more and more each time I try it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2003 01:06:31 | More by fuchebu

pezoids

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer poured out a bright and clear orange amber color and had a nice foamy head. Very appealing aromas – sweet malt and a floral hop presence. The taste was light and fruity with a touch of hop bitterness. Also some sour malt and yeasty flavors there with the grassy/floral hops coming through in the finish. A light to medium bodied beer, this one is very easy to drink. A very enjoyable beer that easily became a favorite of mine.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2003 22:44:28 | More by pezoids

99bottles

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: On cask, this babe comes in a pint with an immensely creamy head of an inch and a smooth, ultra low carnbonation body of tan-orange. So pretty and so nice to see hand pumped just inches from you.

Smell: Mmm! Some real nice grain notes really show at cask temp. Light hop bitterness, but really a nice grain showing.

Taste: This is excellent on the hand pump; it exhibits a real raw malt bill. You can really taste the rye and the barley malt. This is all counterbalanced with a nice usage of noble hops, just enough to compliment but not dominate the grains. Finishes slightly bitter, slightly lactic and sour, though I figure that is the cask imparting those flavors. I like this well enough on tap, but on cask it really shines.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: So smooth and creamy. This slides so easy that I could have it all night long. Really nice. If it were 5 degrees colder, it would rule drinkability. T.G.F.Cask.

Serving type: cask

11-01-2004 21:00:23 | More by 99bottles

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a slightly hazy, copper color with 1/8 inch tan head. No lasting lace. The aroma has hints of toasted malt, hay, and caramel. It's flavor is complex due to the four grains in the recipe. There are notes of toasted malt, grass, and just a touch of hop bitterness. Very well balanced. It has a medium mouthfeel which along with the smoothness and balance makes it easy to drink a few. Very highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 20:51:17 | More by B967ierhunter177

Gavage

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Haven't had this in several years, and it is now back in the stores. Pours an exceptional copper color with a huge 2+ inch fluffy head. Great looking beer. Plenty of lacing with this one. The aroma is of malt, bread, and hops. The flavor is great, as the four grains create a different sensation for the tastebuds. Bread and nice bitterness.

The mouthfeel is smooth with a slight crisp finish. Reminds me of an english style pale ale. The head lasted for the entire drink. Very tasty and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2004 12:36:24 | More by Gavage

farHillsBrewer

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Our SPBW chapter got a rare treat at our annual picnic. The monthly firkin was filled with the tasty standard bearer of the LBC.
The color was a slightly clouded amber-brown that poured nearly flat but livened up nicely with a swirl of the glass. The head was not much to talk about but it did leave a lacey trace.
The nose was an inviting mix of hops and grassy malt.
The malt profile was a nice blend of barley for strength, wheat for a bit of fresh bread, a careful touch of rye to add some spice and oats for body. It combined sweet, tangy, toasty and nutty.
The mouthfeel was excellent as it had enough natural carbonation for a gentle fizz, well supported with some backbone in the body.
The hopping was mild but complemented the nuttiness of the malt.
The length was moderate, but this beer is all about the malt.
I've also had it bottled and on draft, which taste about the same without the softness from the cask.

Serving type: cask

09-14-2004 00:20:39 | More by farHillsBrewer

mj71

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pouring this, a two-finger head that left not a ton of lace.
The nose wasn't anything spectacular.
The hops were very subtle, even in the taste.
Really great flavor regardless of the slight scent.
Rye was the unique flavor about this beer. Great substitute for hop nose.
I love the combination the grains provide. Hard to characterize, but a great session beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2007 04:04:42 | More by mj71

goldennectar

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pint glass.

Appearance: Hazy amber with a off white head that quietly fades away.

Smell: Bread and malty, sweet malts. Good on the nose.

Taste: Sweet malts in front with enough hops behind it to quite nicely balance it out. Tastes as good as it smells!

Mouthfeel: Medium body and the right amount of carbonation.

Overall: Very well done and a very enjoyable pale ale. Goes down quite easily with loads of great flavor. A good beer for any day of the year. I wish it was available around here.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 16:42:44 | More by goldennectar

rdrummer

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Although I don't claim to be able to taste the rye in this beer, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of trying. It poured a light amber color with a thick head that dissipated slowly and left some thick lacing down the glass.

The smell of the hops hit me first, but it was balanced with a nice wheaty (or was it oaty?) aroma. There are some fruity undertones as well.

The beer is nicely hopped so the initial taste is of hops but the hops do not overpower the malty grains. There is a definite reminder of the wheat but as I said, I didn't catch the rye flavor. The beer never gets to bitter, which in this case is a good thing.

This is very smooth, almost creamy in the mouth. It is very refreshing, almost like a meal in a glass. It definitely begs for more than one.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2004 21:41:45 | More by rdrummer

Bonhoeffer

Alabama

4.22/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Incredibly balanced. Wow. The hops are there, but they blend so perfectly with the smooth maltiness. This is very approachable and i think could make a good introduction to tasty beer for the uninitiated. I was sad when this one came to an end and found myself wishing had a sixer of this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2005 12:09:47 | More by Bonhoeffer

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served as a medium amber colored beer with moderate slightly off-white puffy head.

Smell shows nice notes of citrusy hops combined with a a nice sweet malt character.

Taste has the the hops the forefront, though not really excessive. There is enough malt to keep them in balance.

Very nice finish with a slightly dry presence.

Easy to drink and very refreshing. Good job.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2008 00:37:40 | More by tgbljb

wahhmaster

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Samuel Adams Boston Lager glass.

Appearance: Pours a translucent, dark tan color with a bit of a reddish hue. Has a thin, frothy head that dissipates quickly and leaves some spotty lacing.

Smell: Has a rich, malty smell with some bitter, sweet, and sour smells to it. You can really tell that there are several grains in this beer. There is also a slight hops aroma as well.

Taste: Has an aggressive bitterness up front with some dry, hoppy notes. Finishes sweet and slightly sour with a complex maltiness. Really, a very complex pale ale.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with an expressive carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: A great pale ale with some very nice, very complex malty notes. You can definitely tell this is a "four grain" APA. Definitely worth a shot...

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 23:31:55 | More by wahhmaster

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I didn't think I would ever rate this one this high but it is a really good beer on draft.
Appears a reddish gold color with a 2 finger white head that lasts. Solid carbonation seems to compliment the color and nice head retention. Tons of lacing can be seen left on the glass.
Smell is pretty nice. Definite rye presence, in addition to the malts (2-row, munich, caramel, and vienna) and hops (Williamette & Fuggles).
Taste is good. The dry hopping is definitley present in this mellow hoppy brew.
Mouthfeel is well balanced, smooth and slightly sharp up front.
All in all, a very drinkable beer as there's nothing over the top but one of the great session beers on draft.

Finger licking good.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2005 18:03:10 | More by weeare138

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

poured into nonic pint glass

A - clear bright copper color, with thin tan head. nice lacing, and head retained until the very end.
S - oily hops, with sweet grainy undertones
T - very nice balance of hops and malt. crisp dry finish
M - average carbonation, light to medium body
D - very easy to drink, and quite tasty

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 03:52:31 | More by jmdrpi

oberon

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hey a malt tilted pale ale what a concept,pours a nice deep orange with a light wispy head that leaves a little lacing,aroma is more on the hoppy side lightley grassy with a doughy hint in there as well.A real nice "grainy" cereal taste to this brew with a lighter hop note with a nice crisp as a cracker malty finish.A real top notch pale here its a joy savoring the different flavors to this brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2003 02:22:06 | More by oberon

tmp155

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The pour produced a two-finger head that left scant lace. The smell was much more bland than I expected from an APA. The hops were subtle, but not much else was going in the nose. I was surprised by how full the flavor was in light of the slight scent. Like most other people, I thought that the rye was the unique thing about this beer. It was sort of like pumpernickle bread--a hint of caramel, rye and othr grains. The warmer it got, the more the rye emerged. I imagine this beer would be great for a session.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2007 01:08:30 | More by tmp155

ryanclicks

4.13/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Got this beer as part of a beer of the month club my wife got for me. Beer pours a very pleasant amber/brown with a solid finger of off-white head. Smells a little sour, a little hoppy on the nose. Beer has a sweet start, smooth mouth feel and very solid hop flavor. Hops are not too strong, not too weak. Very drinkable pale ale.

Overall a very good beer. If more readily available in SD I would more than likely pick up a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 01:10:19 | More by ryanclicks

maddogruss

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 12 ounce bottle into a glass mug.

A: Poured an orange-amber body with a small white head with decent retention and nice lacing along the sides of the glass and the top of the beer until the finish.

S: A nice, sweet malty smell with hints of toffee undertones.

T: A nice, sweet malty taste with hints of burnt toffee in the aftertaste. A nice taste overall.

M: A nice, smooth beer that was full-bodied and pleasant on the palette.

D: Definitely a very drinkable beer. Excellent taste paired with a nice, smooth mouthfeel. Definitely a good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2008 02:35:24 | More by maddogruss

u2carew

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz long neck. Consumed 1/19/10

A) Pours with a thin head that sticks around for a while. Lacing is thin, tight and sticky. Mellow upward carbonation. Amber in color. Body is nearly transparent.
S) Robust caramel malt... mmmm. Light fruit notes - sweet apple and pear.
T) Malty sweetness up front. Very delightful caramel, light toffee. Touches of nuts - pecans. A subtle hoppyness in the finish lingering just under the surface.
M) Medium body with a mild fizz. Slight dry grain feel in the finish, mixed with a hint of tannin.
D) Delicious brew. Well done Lancaster!

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2010 01:23:08 | More by u2carew

waughbrew

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Light clear copper with a small head but nice lacing. Smells like an oatmeal cookie, very grainy, and a little musty herbage with a toasty and nutty edge. Nicely balanced presence has bitterness all the way through but the nutty malt flavor dominating. Goes down really really quickly. Another nice one from Lancaster.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2005 21:49:05 | More by waughbrew