Drifter Pale Ale - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

Topher78

California

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Five different malts and four different hop varieties give this beer its unique flavor. The beer pours a amber color with about 1 fingers worth of an off white head that leaves nice lacing. Aromas of fresh picked oranges, lemons and tangerines shine through. The taste is equally delicious with a well blended malt to hop ratio with very little bitterness. Nice light mouth feel.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 03:10:22 | More by Topher78

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-22-2013 15:38:36 | More by InspectorBob

verge

California

4/5  rDev +6.4%

05-21-2013 18:21:44 | More by verge

DarthBeer

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +13%

05-21-2013 15:22:22 | More by DarthBeer

johntfox

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-21-2013 02:13:39 | More by johntfox

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +6.4%

05-20-2013 12:54:32 | More by Burkbom23

MightiestBeard

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +13%

05-17-2013 21:24:30 | More by MightiestBeard

ScottieD

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

05-11-2013 02:08:44 | More by ScottieD

thatdewguy

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

05-09-2013 05:10:47 | More by thatdewguy

nickleeye

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-06-2013 17:02:53 | More by nickleeye

Ilafan

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -20.2%

05-05-2013 19:09:05 | More by Ilafan

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

05-04-2013 13:05:39 | More by SmellsofMahagony

PoppyParthenonE

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +13%

05-01-2013 20:02:32 | More by PoppyParthenonE

Leiphonics

North Dakota

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

04-30-2013 05:18:14 | More by Leiphonics

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

04-29-2013 07:47:06 | More by Kelp

sacrelicio

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +6.4%

04-23-2013 01:34:38 | More by sacrelicio

shawnohall

Texas

4/5  rDev +6.4%

04-21-2013 11:23:30 | More by shawnohall

smakawhat

Maryland

3.39/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A real wonderful booming four finger light tan head is made, with super even bubbles all around. The head settles with a frothy and big bubbled retention cap, with lots of clingy lace chunks. Body is a crystal clear textbook amber copper color, real nice, but not much noticeable carbonation. Real good looking.

Very light toasted malts, faint sense of caramel. Some soft hop sense but very muted with maybe a touch of spruce/pine and citrus.

Palate is a little uneventful. Very light bodied almost wet with an almost soda gaseous feel. Palate comes with a light Marzen like malt quality and hints of sticky toffee. Most of the taste though is in the finish but it's quite weak. Slight toasty grain a bit, on the finish also.

Overall not awful but not getting that excited about this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 22:28:57 | More by smakawhat

Frankinstiener

Illinois

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

This has been one of my favorite beers for the past 4 years. Since it is going away I decieded to write down some notes while I still have a relatively fresh one in front of me.

This pale ale is not pale in any way. Closer to a light copper in color. Perfectly see through with a little bit of white foam on top. Occasionally I get a few small floaties (perhaps hop particles) but none in this glass.

The smell isn't overwhelming but is really enjoyable. You get both biscuity malt and citrus zest in the same whiff.

The taste is glorious as usual. This is not a hopped up pale ale that borderlines an IPA. It is well balanced, but the hops do slightly shine through. This pale ale definitely has a distinct taste. You get some tangerine flavor that eventually is balanced out by caramel malts. It finishes a bit drier than you would expect. When people say they taste onions I can kind of understand where they are coming from, but only after specifically looking for it. This is not a distraction for me, I think the taste of this beer is perfect. It doesn't leave me wanting anything else. There is a reason why I have purchased so many cases of this over the years

Overall this beer is very drinkable but yet distinct. I’m not the greatest at putting words to flavors so I will just say that I wouldn't change this beer in any way. For years it has been my favorite pale ale. It is also very affordable at $6.99 per six pack and $26 dollars after my case discount. I have always thought its the best beer for the money. RIP Drfter…. You’re a legend as far as I’m concerned.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 01:52:03 | More by Frankinstiener

NorthernSoul

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3/5  rDev -20.2%

04-17-2013 22:33:56 | More by NorthernSoul

blurredline

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

04-17-2013 01:37:56 | More by blurredline

Schumatrix

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +6.4%

04-16-2013 22:29:35 | More by Schumatrix

Juno_Malone

Idaho

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

04-15-2013 01:54:47 | More by Juno_Malone

jera1350

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

04-15-2013 01:47:20 | More by jera1350

Arsenal0328

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

04-12-2013 03:47:33 | More by Arsenal0328