Euphoria Pale Ale - Ska Brewing Co.

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 fl oz. can, with this six pack labeled best by January 24, 2013. My second beer from Ska Brewing Co., the other being Ska Brewing Modus Hoperandi. Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Aggressive pour yields two fingers of beige off-white bubbly head on top of a dark burnt orange, verging on ruby, colored body. Lots of fine sediment suspended in the glass. Looks decent enough. Some nice big scattered sheets of lacing.

S - Smell is of light grapefruit & pine needles, paired with a bready biscuit malt counterpart.

T - Taste follows the nose pretty well; the hops have faded some, and where they were once more bitter they have become somewhat sweet. Still, a pleasant hop presence, not overly bitter, comprised well by the malt backbone of this beer. Caramelized malt presence is definitely noticeable.

M - Feel is sticky & bitter, via the hop presence. Some green apple skin sweetness lingering.

Overall, a refreshing, modest pale ale, with a nice drinkable 6.10% abv. Definitely a beer you could drink in the summer, although this is their winter offering. Succeeds as a somewhat mild American pale ale, although I remember it being much more hoppy when it was fresh. Either way, it is a beer I will have again.

Ska Brewing Euphoria Pale Ale ---4/5.

Serving type: can

04-22-2013 01:10:50 | More by mfnmbvp

Durtdiggler

Illinois

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Can poured into tulip glass with nice copper hue and massive white head, very clear beer and alot of lacing around the glass.

Aroma is sweet, bread malt with pine overtones but definitely more malty.

Feels alot like Modus Hoperandi in the malt profile but not as bitter. Though the bitterness lingers throughout the taste. Caramels, toffee, sweet bread, some dark fruits. Some nice pine. Full flavored, complexity just not as overpowering.

Finish is medium but very drinkable similar to a pale ale.

Feels more like an AIPA based on the malt build though it doesn't have the IBUs. Not a style conventioned beer but I like the winter APA concept. A good malty beer and decent hops for a nice mid afternoon warmer that can be shared with friends. I had this one after a cold bike ride. I grabbed it at Binny's on a hunch and glad I did.

Serving type: can

04-13-2013 18:27:10 | More by Durtdiggler

spoony

Colorado

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

From a 12 oz can (best by May 14, 2013) into a tulip.

A-A normal pour produces a fat one finger head of light tan foam. The head hangs around for a bit and deposits some chunks on the glassware as it dissipates. The brew is darker than some pales with a copper-hued amber color. It is clear with some visible carbonation.

S-The smell tends toward hoppy with floral citrusy flavors being dominant (grapefruit and orange). Balancing out the spicy punch of the hops is a hint of toffee and caramel malt.

T-The taste follows the smell closely with hops (spicy citrus flavors) taking a more prominent role than malts. However, there is just enough malty caramel flavor in there to keep you from thinking you're drinking an IPA.

M-The feel is nearly crisp, with some oily hop feel and a pleasant, mildly assertive carbonation.

O-This beer is a pleasant surprise. I have not enjoyed my previous experiences with Ska, but I would definitely drink this beer again. The hops are assertive, but not overpowering, and the light malty touch is just enough to make a good drinkable pale. I get quite a bit of flavor here, but I could easily drink two or three of these in a sitting.

Serving type: can

03-11-2013 03:47:01 | More by spoony

metter98

New York

3.81/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear copper in color and has a moderate to high amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high light beige head that died down but consistently left a thin head covering the surface and lots of lacy rings of bubbles down the sides of the glass.
S: There are aromas of citrusy hops in the nose—oranges seem to stand out in particular along with some hints of lemons.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but also has notes of caramel malts and a light amount of bitterness. Hints of spicy hops are noticeable towards the finish.
M: It feels nearly medium-bodied and quite crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer has a lot of hop flavors compared to other pale ales, but is rather easy to drink because it has a good balance with the underlying malts.

Serving type: can

03-06-2013 01:14:32 | More by metter98

phishsihq

Colorado

3.49/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ska Brewing's Euphoria Pale Ale is a winter seasonal release. The beer pours a clear copper, and it is capped by a decent sized, off-white head that provides solid lace. Floral and citrus hop aromas burst from the glass, and light caramel malt notes weave in and out of the hop domination. Rich malt flavors including caramel and toasted bread help create a level of sweetness that balance the onslaught of hop bitterness that is underlined by grapefruit and pine. Smooth and well balanced, Euphoria is medium bodied and moderately carbonated. Euphoria!

Serving type: can

02-24-2013 00:18:56 | More by phishsihq

tdm168

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - amber with a thin lacing of white head that disappears quickly

S - very faint nose; some caramel and maybe some toasted malt

T - faint caramel, some bread, faint toast, some citrus, some faint piny bitterness

M - medium bodied, crisp, well carbonated

This is a simple, easy to drink beer. There isn't anything here that sets this apart from the group, but this is a refreshing APA with a subdued but enjoyable flavor profile. I don't think this is a beer that I will seek out again, but I certainly won't turn it down.

Serving type: can

02-23-2013 23:10:50 | More by tdm168

SerialHiker

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a dark caramel brown with hints of merlot red…though it’s dark, it’s clear with no bubble action…some light khaki color head did form but only a thin layer has hung around…(3.25/5)

Smell: Tons of sweet caramel malts, mild on the spicy earthy hops…straight from the fridge it lacks some depth and variety…the sweet caramel malts are nice, but it’s like a cowboy wandering the pasture on a rainy night looking for his horse…(3.5/5)

Taste: Sweet caramel malts combined with pale malts…there’s a noticeable earthy, spicy hops quality to this, but it’s real light…could be more and that would round the flavor out much better…it’s a sweet caramel malt concoction that is good, but it lacks in overall character...some earthy/piney bitterness shows up late…(3.25/5)

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body…light on carbonation...there’s a light, chewy, earthy hops resin feel on my palate that I wish was stronger, it would really add to the overall outcome…as it is, like most everything else, it leaves just that little bit extra that could ultimately make this a much better brew…(2.5/5)

Overall: Average beer with just slightly above average flavor…every aspect of its construction leaves me wanting, the flavor isn’t strong, the aroma isn’t strong, the mouthfeel is light (aka watery)…there’s no sign of the 6.1% ABV…I will say, if I wasn’t trying to breakdown its particular qualities, I’d happily be drinking this brew, it really does have a good, drinkable flavor…as it is, I’ve had one, probably won’t have another…(3/5)

Serving type: can

01-20-2013 00:19:55 | More by SerialHiker

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a crystal clear deep copper to amber in color with some orange highlights and moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall dense creamy light beige head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer with a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of tropical, pine, and floral hops with some lighter notes of caramel malts.

T: Upfront there is a light to moderate amount of caramel malts with some light sweetness but then the hop flavors take over - I get some herbal, citrus/orange rind, and spicy flavors. Light to moderate amounts of lingering bitterness.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Light amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: This beer is incredibly easy to drink and sessionable - the alcohol is very well hidden and I could enjoy quite a few of these in a single session. Very nice hop aromas and flavors, tastes very fresh. Well balanced between the malts and the hops.

Serving type: can

12-30-2012 02:58:26 | More by dbrauneis

Maryobeerian

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured can into an imperial pint glass. Second glass, I should say and this time with a little salty snack. Head rather unsubstantial in texture and appearance but color is rich, bodied and pleasing. Nose grassy but unobtrusive and to be honest, the nose is not what I care most about. Taste is very balanced -- not sweet or especially hoppy, appealing to mutliple moods without beeing bland or innocuous. Not a knock-your- socks-off ale, but very fine without a single disappointing or cloying feature. I would happily share this with beer afficiandos and novices alike, and purchase again when I am in the mood for a solidly good drink that is interesting but not too challenging.

Serving type: can

12-28-2012 03:09:15 | More by Maryobeerian

DavidST

Texas

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

Poured from a 12 oz can into a pint glass, best before Feb 13. This pours a clear amber color with a large off white head which has a good retention and leaves a foamy lacing. The smells are nice of pine and floral hops a caramel malt underneath. The feel is medium. The taste is pretty good, medium hops (plenty for a pale ale), but plenty of tasty caramel, nice balance and a fine beer.

Serving type: can

12-20-2012 04:18:42 | More by DavidST

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a shaker pint glass.

The beer is a nice deep crystal clear copper color. A foamy light cream colored head calms down to a wisp and initially, lots of lacing coats the glass.

The beer smells of bright, crisp piney hops, with traces of grapefruit and citrus rinds.

The taste is fairly hop-forward, but first there's a nice malty undertone, followed by some faint sweet fruitiness of apricots and peaches. The hops come in soon, and offer a nice bright pine crispness, with bitter grapefruit and lime after thoughts.

The mouthfeel is clean, dry, and medium in body.

Overall, this is a solid pale ale, and it has enough woody, spruce and pine in it to remind me of snow-covered forests and Christmas trees. Hey, I gotta hang some sort of holiday merriment on this brew.

Serving type: can

11-17-2012 01:39:54 | More by JuicesFlowing

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

a delicious winter offering. pours dark amber color, redish and clear. a lacey white head with good retention rests on top. the nose is coppery, mostly malt, btu some good hearty wintery hops too. the flavor is caramely on the malt front, but without the sweetness. hops on the back end, bitter and wet. more of the red malt than the caramel malt comes through in the aftertaste. feel is great, massive body but nice and smooth. carbonation is average, which keeps it a little heavy, overall a perfect winter session. a little more sturdy abv, plenty of warming body, and downright delicious. thank you ska!

Serving type: can

10-14-2012 01:54:24 | More by StonedTrippin

hammondc

Texas

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- A lot darker than I thought it would be, but not surprising since it is a winter pale and intended to be very malt forward. It is more dark copper than orange/brassy. Very little head that diminished rapidly. Almost no lacing.

S- Sweet malt more than the citrus/pine typical of Pale Ales. There is a hint of fruitiness - maybe apricot?

T- Bitter and Dry. The sweetness of the smell doesn't really translate to the taste. Maybe a bit of toast to it. Very slight booziness. Good stuff. Would go great by a campfire.

M - Feels wet like beer should.

Overall, I like it. Probably not as much as Modus or Dales as it is a tad bitter for me. However, for a change of pace in the sea of faux-oktoberfest and pumpkin pie beers of the fall, this is a nice change. I'd prefer a touch more sweetness to balance the bitterness.

Serving type: can

10-11-2012 22:31:42 | More by hammondc

Megahertz

Missouri

4.38/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can dated 15-September (!) into a Hoffman House chalice. Funny that "Ska's Winter Offering" is made now, but the best before date is 15-February, so I guess it's cool.

A - Pours a bright shade of amber, crystal clear, with a large, tightly packed tan head that lingers for some time. Carbonation appears brisk.

S - Fresh cut grass with a bright fruity note. Strong aroma.

T - Malt-forward start with a nice bready sweetness transitions to a moderate caramel middle with a hint of toasted bread. Carbonation is cleansing and not overdone. Good "hoppy green" flavor throughout, almost resiny, but quite clean. Finish is very dry with a spicey hop kick at the last possible second. Very nice, indeed.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Well done.

O - On the hoppy side of a pale ale, it has considerable melanoidin complexity and clean hop character while avoiding the citrusy C-hops. More of an IPA than a pale ale, but we're here to enjoy the liquid, not split hairs. Outstanding.

Serving type: can

09-20-2012 20:48:23 | More by Megahertz

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Medium sized light tan head settles into a nice lacing that is lasting quite some time above a clear caramel copper colored beer.

80/20 Piney to floral hops over caramel malts aroma. Really just guessing on the percentages but I think you get the drift.

The taste has a hops bite to it without citrus or floral or pine aspects jumping out anymore then the others, giving this beer a nice hops balance with a nice slight malt undertone.

A nice dryish aftertaste that does have much flavor on this medium bodied pale ale.

A pretty decent tasting pale ale, I'm glad I grabbed a six and not just included this in a build your own 6-pack.

Serving type: can

09-15-2012 02:40:49 | More by LXIXME

deepchills

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought a 6 pack of Euphoria at Kings Liquors by TCU. You can by drugs from the football team right across the street.

Pours gold/copper with a little cloudiness. About a 1/4 inch of head that quickly dissipated. Zero lacing throughout the tasting.

Very nice pine nose with some sweet malt and lemon zest.

Taste much more malty then the nose, though plenty of hoppy pine as well. Just the right touch of bitterness with a clean finish. A little lemon flavor. I don't notice it with every sip, but sometimes it stands out. As the beer warms you notice a little orange & apricot.

Very drinkable, smooth, crisp, well carbonated.

Great pale ale, and another fine brew in a can. I think a 6-pack will find it's way to Friday on the Green this Friday.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 22:53:34 | More by deepchills

Nugganooch

California

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked this one up on discount at Total Wine in Goodyear, AZ

12oz can to pint – Ska’s Winter Offering

A: Pours a clear and deep copper amber color adorned with a good three fingers thick of persistent tan rocky foam head. Some large bubbles form sticky globs of lace all the way down the glass.

S: Nice dank and pine notes up front with some light suggestions of citrus and an underlying sweet pale malt aroma. Pretty nice nose on it.

T: Ooh this is tasty. Has a real tantalizing bitterness. Resinous with grassy herbals and pines. Some grapefruit pith. Quite juicy with hops balanced out nicely by a sweet bready pale malting. Slight warming alcohol presence. Pucker up and enjoy.

M: Lighter body nearing Medium thickness. Creamy with a real dry and crisp finish. Lingering hop oils from big dry hop additions here.

D: A bold and hoppy APA. Wish I had grabbed a few more of these as they seem to be holding up well in the can. Super drinkable with a good dose of the leafage. Solid boarding gear.

Really diggin on the Ska. I might even like this one more than the Modus.

Serving type: can

03-23-2012 21:25:25 | More by Nugganooch

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured a clear flat brown (barely any head). the smell reminds me a lot of sixpoint sweet action - malty and floral odors with a bit of citrus (orange). tastes bitter as hell up front followed up by a bitter-sweet burnt caramel like linger (taste of roasted grains perhaps), notes of toffee.

a nice light bodied ale, easy flowing, refreshing with a crisp dry finish. made for winter but seems even better for summer in my opinion. it's refreshing as heck but tastes like a heavy beer from the bitterness. not the typical apa.. in my experience i'd have thought this was an esb.

Serving type: can

03-23-2012 01:05:58 | More by facundoCNB

rawfish

California

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours amber gold with a smallish half finger head, good cover but average retention leaving snowflakes of lacing stuck to the glass.

Pine needles, deep citrus coating bready malts and honey sweetness, both wafting and earthy. Seems like Ska harnessed the aroma of a Colorado forest and put it into this beer.

Malt backbone is there but rather tasteless, not in an offending way. Supports with a white wine fruitiness and cracker flavor until the hops arrive. Pine needle, light citrus and a long lasting bitterness.

Dries very well for a pale ale. Medium carbonation with a light smooth body. Lifts from the palate.

A well built pale that has a good amount of hoppiness. The malts do well to stay back here and let the bitterness and feel dominate the impression. A very nice new offering from Ska.

Serving type: can

03-21-2012 03:03:31 | More by rawfish

BigRedN

Nebraska

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Poured from the 12 oz can into a pint glass. The beer is a hazy dark gold color. My pour produces a thick whitish head about 1 inch in height. Faded over time to a solid cover that left lace down the glass.

Aroma: Nice burst of hop aromas. Floral with a touch of lemony citrus. Not noticing anything real malty, but I don't really expect much from an APA.

Taste: In line with the scent and faithful to what I have come to expect for the style. A little citrusy. There seems to be a slightly bready malty body in the middle. Ends with a nice hoppy bitterness on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, nice natural carbonation. Seems somewhat "dry" on the back of the throat as it goes down.

Overall: A good beer, which because of its availability in the can becomes a great APA. Better than the some of its parts because I am always looking for good craft beer in a can. The somewhat high ABV makes this one not very sessionable, but still enjoyable if limited to a few. A solid purchase if a bit on the high side (for me) at $9.99 for a six pack of cans.

Serving type: can

03-16-2012 04:08:07 | More by BigRedN

AndyAvalanche

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. can poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint Glass. Nice golden amber color (slightly darker than the average pale ale). It looks well filtered with excellent clarity. Nice white head with big bubbles after a hard pour and excellent lacing.

Huge malt backbone in the smell department, I didn't expect it to be so sweet. Pale, careamel and toffee notes. Malts are actually slightly mroe agressive than the hops in my opintion. THe mostly citrus takes a backseat to the malts. Really good though.

Taste is almost exactly on par with the smell. Nice and malty for a pale. Maybe it's actually a little more balanced as its warmed up, the hop to malt ratio evens out with a hoppier aftertaste.

Good carbonation level in the mouthfeel. Really smooth and clean feeling. Light bodied for the most part. Slight bitter aftertaste.

NicePale Ale, glad to try it. Thanks chugalug06 for a nice extra!

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 01:30:18 | More by AndyAvalanche

WoodBrew

Illinois

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

The Euphoria Pale Ale is a good pale ale from the SKA brewing Co. The beer pours a very nice clear copper with very thin off white head that is lacing nicely. The smell include pine, spice and citrus tones. The taste has a nice malt base with great hop flavors. There is an oily pine, slight spice and hint of bitter citrus (grapefruit). I am guessing Semcoe, Casscade, and maybe Zeus hops...but i'm not an expert. The mouthfeel is a good medium body with smooth carbonation. Overall a very taste beer that I think could be sessioned.

Serving type: can

02-22-2012 01:59:31 | More by WoodBrew

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Coppery and clear, one finger head that didn't last but left nice sheets of thin lacing with each sip.

A little smoky and woodsy smelling, lots of earthy hops, a good malty base. Ever so slightly musty, which I felt was a touch offputting.

The taste was plenty malty with an almost IPA like level of pungent, bitter hops. Quite bitter and almost dry with hoppiness. The earthy smell definitely follows in the taste.

Body could perhaps use just a touch more carbonation, but it's adequate. Medium and just a touch slick on the finish with a bitter finale.

It's an interesting choice. More like an IPA and less like the typical pale ale. Certainly try this one if you like hoppy pale ales.

Serving type: can

02-19-2012 22:35:16 | More by AlCaponeJunior

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz can with best by date of 5/29/11 to a pint glass.

A - The beer pours a deep amber color with a 2 finger white head with decent retention and lacing.

S - Hoppy earhy pine and grapefruit character with a mild malt aroma.

T - The beer is fairly well balanced with a crisp clean malt, hop, and yeast blend. The hops are just like the nose and the toasted malts even everything out well. The beer finishes dry.

M - The beer is of medium body with a bit too much carbonation, in my opinion.

D - Pretty solid.

Overall, this is a pretty decent Pale Ale. I am glad to have tried it but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. I'd rather had a Modus Hoperandi :)

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Serving type: can

Reviewed on: 02-19-2011 02:46:14

Serving type: can

01-27-2012 14:52:40 | More by hopfacebrew

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass at The Royale.

Pours a nice strong copper with a nice dense white head. Sone slight amber colored edges. (4.5)

Hops up front in the nose with undelying tones of malt. Slightly toasty and bready with some nice earthy grain. (3.5)

Flavor starts off with some slight pine resin and some citrus notes. Then there is a nice mix of caramel malt and some toasty notes. Earthy grain mixed in there as well. The beer reminds me of a toned down Modus Hoperandi. (4.0)(3.5)

Good Pale Ale. NIce hop profile that is balanced by the malt. (4.0)

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2012 20:09:10 | More by JoEBoBpr