Great Lakes Devil's Pale Ale - Great Lakes Brewery

Roke87

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

473 mL can, slightly chilled and poured into a Duvel tulip

Appearance- Poured a dark dark red amber colour with a massive three fingers of off white head, that very slowly resides but a nice amount of head sticks around till the end, maximum lacing throughout the glass.

Smell- Nice pine and grapefruit smells right off the bat, with a nice sweet smell of caramel malts shining through, can somewhat smell hops but the sweetness dominates in the smell department.

Taste- Just like the smell in all aspects, you’re hit with the pine and fruity flavours in the form of grapefruit, a nice sweet taste from roasted caramel malts, and in the end you get some taste of the hops.

Mouthfeel- A light-medium bodied pale ale, decent carbonation, definitely a smooth and easy drinking.

Overall- I was pleasantly surprised by this one, at first I didn’t think much of it but as it made it to the end I found myself wanting another one. I never really knew these quality brews were available in Ontario, It taste’s almost like an APA but has that nice caramel malt flavour that is present in EPA’s. A very quality brew that I would definitely drink again!

Serving type: can

04-18-2011 04:44:30 | More by Roke87

paxkey

Ontario (Canada)

2.75/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

666 kilograms of malt
6.66 kilograms of hops
66.6 minutes of boiling
6% abv
6.6.06 date of conception.

i can smell the beer as soon as i crack the can.

poured in a Maredsous chalice. appears a nice reddish hue in the glass with a generous tan head. i see no haze in the glass and the head is hanging around a bit. decent lacing.
gorgeous head with a piney grapefruit aroma wafting off.

some sourness in the nose. a combination of cigar, vinegar and grapejuice. interesting but a little all over the place. a swirl of the glass brings a fresh wave of strong hops. i can sense alot of nice bitterness, but the malt profile underneath is still coming off a bit weird. gonna let it decant a bit.

after 2 minutes the head is reduced to a thin film. the malt aroma subdued but present, and no sign of hops, some more swirling produces more malt and almost no hops. disappointing so far.

hop bitterness is present with a bit of a greasy mouthfeel. the midpalate is all about the uneasy malt and the finish is lingering and mostly just bitter.
this beer tries to balance malt and hops and the two could not contrast more making it less of a balance and more of a fail.

not godawaful, but certainly passable.

Serving type: can

04-11-2011 20:57:37 | More by paxkey

marty21

Manitoba (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear dark brown/red with a 2 finger frothy off white head. Settles to a thin cap and leaves lot's of lacing covering the glass.

S: Caramel malt upfront that finishes strong with citrus and piney hops.

T: Caramel malt with citrus and a hoppy finish.

M: Light carbonation with a medium body. Bit of a bitter finish.

D: It has a really cool looking can and the taste backs it up. It's a really good pale ale that I could continue drinking all night.

Serving type: can

01-14-2011 03:19:26 | More by marty21

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A beer that has been kept in constant supply in my fridge for the last year, as this new hoppier recipe makes this one of the best Pale Ale's readily available in Ontario... noted because this review is of the ale in general, rather than this specific can which offers more lacing than typical!

Beautiful amber colour; hoppy & malty aroma; complex taste profile with a delightful balance between bitter and sweet, as well as a hop kick and very pleasant finish.

Wouldn't choose the devil-themed can and often pour the beer into a glass so as not to upset the neighbours (except around Halloween?), but all in all, an absolutely delightful Ontario beer!

Serving type: can

01-02-2011 22:05:34 | More by hopsolutely

Swedes21

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

473 ml poured in a chilled pint glass...

Appearance - Very nice pouring beer! Beer pours with a decent amount of cascading of the head then slows down to about a solid 3 inch light brown head. Beer is a nice deep auburn colour with a decent amount of carbonation. Solid amount of lacing does occur.

Smell - I can smell a slight amount of caramel and a nut based brew. There is a decent hope smell as well to this beer.

Taste - Nice tasting beer with a decent amount of character. the beer offers a nice hint of nuts to the tasting as well as a lasting taste. Slight hint of caramel in the tasting.

Mouthfeel - Decent amount of carbonation on the mouthfeel. The beer is very light on the palette, however, offers a nice light creamy feeling. The aftertaste tends to linger more after the mouthfeel.

Drinkability - A solid beer that i would look for again. This is a nice beer that brings a decent amount of nuts to the tasting. Very good choice on a cool night like tonight!

Serving type: can

10-22-2010 00:37:08 | More by Swedes21

mdaschaf

Washington

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks for korguy123 for this one. Poured from a 473ml can into a pint glass

A: Pours a cloudy brownish/tan color. Very little head which dissipated quickly.

S: A slight hop aroma to start which transitions into a much maltier overtone.

T: Much maltier on the palate than on the nose, some caramel as well. The hops are there, but a bit more subdued. Has a slightly bitter finish.

M/D: Fuller bodied than most Pales I have had. Has good drinkability. Overall I am very happy with this beer. Love the fact that it is in a can and the cans design as well.

High level of smoothness with a creamy, slick full body.

Serving type: can

10-14-2010 23:59:59 | More by mdaschaf

grac1970

Ontario (Canada)

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

A = a nice dark amber when poured into a pint glass with a dark ivory head; nice lacing
S = I noticed hops and malts coming through; a bit of grassy floral and citrus mixed in
T = reminded me of sweet and sour - orange or lemon citrus with a hint of something else that I couldn't quite put a name to - something like a burnt sugar taste
M = a nice dry taste with a touch of bitterness lingering
D = a very decent pale ale

Serving type: can

10-13-2010 22:42:03 | More by grac1970

mrnobody

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had some of this earlier in the summer and found it to be like pretty much every GLB beer I've tried: good but not great. However, they have now substantially revised the recipe here and made it much hoppier. This is now easily the best GLB beer I've tried and also one of the best beer deals at the lcbo.

473ml can poured into an oversized tulip. Colour is a deep amber/red. Head subsides but some remains the whole way down and leaves some nice lacing. I could tell as soon as I opened the can this was not the same beer. I immediately smelled a blast of juicy hops. Definitely some tropical fruit going on here: pineapple/mango/passion fruit. Beautiful. While the previous iteration of this beer was unbalanced in favour of the malt, the substantially different hopping now balances things out. The predominant flavour I'm noticing is fresh grapefruit juice and the aftertaste supports that also. This is really tasty and I would now argue this beer has moved from English Pale Ale territory into IPA land. It's sort of like a cross between an English and an American IPA. The hops really say west coast to me but the heavy malts are still there. Mouthfeel is just right, not too heavy or light, medium carbonation. And yes, I could have another!

Serving type: can

10-11-2010 23:06:34 | More by mrnobody

Ralphus

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer has got significantly better due to new hopping. GLB continues to step up their game.

The color hasn't changed much.. a dark brown reddish ale. But now the head improved with sheets of lacing. The color could be improved a little because it's not terribly interesting but otherwise, no complaints on the head or retention.

The smell is all new.. piney, citrus floral hops are front and centre. Much better.

The taste has been improved by the new hopping as well. Sweet biscuit malts which used to take front stage are now balanced by strong wallup of bitterness. As the beer warms the flavours meld together in a good mixture.

Mouthfeel is great.. seriously smooth and carbonation is bang on. The beer goes down quicky and another is inevitable given the wide availability and excellent canned format.

Serving type: can

10-05-2010 19:57:35 | More by Ralphus

MattyV

Ontario (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a deep reddish-brown colour with a creamy beige head.
Herbal, spicy hops and caramel malt in the nose.
The taste is much more malty than expected with a nice toasted/lightly roasted character with a slight caramel sweetness and earthiness from the hops that eases into a spicy bitter finish.
Medium body and carbonation, feels slightly creamy going down.

Not a bad beer, but not a flavour profile that I'd regularly seek out. It just seems overly malty at first and then finishes with a raw, harsh bitterness that hurts its drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2010 01:36:10 | More by MattyV

heebes

Ontario (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark amber with lots of head. Dissipates at a normal rate without much lacing.
I could smell the pale ale upon opening. Nice strong scent of fruits; oranges and either malts or hops.
Tastes much the same, bitter beginning which lasts awhile.
Very smooth to drink, kind of feels watery though. The hop flavour lingers tastes bitter the whole way through.
Overall I have to say I'm fairly impressed by this Canadian brewery. Its certainly a good start/offering for a bland Can. market, but I can't see myself returning to it often.
I believe the recipie for this brew has been altered recently, not sure if this is the new style or olde. Marked with an E on the bottom of the can.

Serving type: can

09-24-2010 20:06:40 | More by heebes

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

473ml can pours a dark, see through kind of brown with hints of amber, oddest pale ale coloring but still interesting. Light, airy head that quickly takes off and leaves spots of lacing on top.

Nose is pale malts, caramel, hints of British hop varieties, slight almost metallic hint (Munich malts?).

Clean entry followed by a pale malt/almost roasty but fading to a slight acridity, off note - almost ethanol/solventy. A sweet caramel throughout. Slight Euro hop bitterness in the finish with a slight cheek drying. Certainly not up to the promise of a devilishly delicious ale, just doesn't come together.

Can't say I really enjoyed it that much though it's not a horrible effort. An odd combination of malts and hops that doesn't really remind of a pale ale and doesn't seem to work together all that effectively. Aftertaste/finish stops me from wanting another.

Edit: 09/15/10 - New hop profile greatly improves this beer. More citrus and pine, especially in the nose. Still heavy on the malts with a dry, almost English finish but there is some nice depth, making a nice sessionable ale. New score to reflect this version.

Serving type: can

09-17-2010 18:07:46 | More by ritzkiss

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Apparently they changed the recipe for this. It's from the OCB Summer Sampler so I can't tell if I'm getting the new or the old.

A - Murky, reddish brown colour with a head between tan and white of about one finger that has serious staying power and is nice and creamy. Head leaves crazy nice lacing all the way down. Carbonation is medium to heavy but hard to see b/c of the colour.

S - Really fragrant hops. Nice and fruity aroma with a some really great malt backing it up. Lot's of balance in the aroma. Spot on for the style.

T - Nice hops for the most part. Bitterness is really present with a little sweet malt there too. Less balance than the aroma.

M - Appropriate for the style. Light to medium bodied with good carbonation.

D - High if you want bitterness all night. A little bit too high in the abv area for a sessionable EPA but I could give 'er with this one.

Serving type: can

09-15-2010 18:56:08 | More by tbeckett

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an dark amber-copper colour with thick head that takes a minute to dissipate. Some lacing on the glass. Smells of pine and citrus hops, wow. Nice bitterness in this pale ale. This used to be a below average APA, maybe even an English pale ale. I've heard they either upped the hops or switched to a more aggressive American variety and it completely shows. Make sure you try a fresh can of this, even if you had a can from only a couple months ago it was probably the older recipe. This should almost be a a new entry.

Serving type: can

09-14-2010 23:18:44 | More by kwjd

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue VI:

A canned craft beer with a Satanic theme, references to the number of the beast (666). Should we be playing some Iron Maiden before we open this can?

A tan big, bubbly head forms, good enough retention to get by. Dark tawny color, but not so dark that the clarity is hard to see. Smells of caramel and a bit of butterscotch, a little grainy with a slight woody herbal hop as well. High level of smoothness with a creamy, slick full body. Maltiness is thick on the palate with lots of toasted grain throughout, malt sweetness kicks in with tones of caramel and cake batter. Hint of buttery and pear-like fruitiness from the yeast and alcohol. Hops show some balance with a mild bitterness and thick leafy herbal taste which does not last long as the toasted grain finishes with a semisweet toasted, almost roasted flavor.

Two words, "Malt Bomb." Malty and sweet but still somewhat balanced, it sort of reminds us of what Bass Ale used to taste like ... sort of. A decent English Pale Ale with or without a nod from The Devil.

Serving type: can

09-10-2010 13:45:38 | More by BeerAdvocate

IllNate

British Columbia (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Dark for a pale ale. Could pass for an amber I think. Bit cloudy as well. Off white head, doesn't stay.

S - Good aroma. Floral and citrus hops, bit of pine. Small malt aroma, mostly caramel malt, a bit nutty.

T - Surprisingly malty, lots of caramel. Hops are subdued, but the citrus hops dominate the hop component.

M - so, so. Something about the biterness I'm not liking. Alcohol is noticeable as well.

D - Pretty good. Alcohol retreats after a few sips.

Serving type: can

08-31-2010 23:48:16 | More by IllNate

a74gent

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Based on prior notes - consumed on 8/5/2010

Quite dark for a pale, but very good. This can is aged a bit so the hops may have died down which is making it more agreeable for me personally. The hops do become more prevalent as the glass warms up. Very foamy head which gives way to a nice creamy mouthfeel. Nice balance.

Serving type: can

08-30-2010 00:39:27 | More by a74gent

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this one up as part of an OCB 4-pack tall can summer mixer pack.

A - Pours a very appealing dark copper brown with a finger of beige off-white head, with solid retention and noticeable lacing.

S - Scent is rather mild, but more noticeable as the pint clears. The caramel malts dominate the scent, though the citrus hops nicely balanced the flavour.

T - Again, rather suprised by this offerng, with the caramel and toffee notes dominating the flavour. These were very nicely complemented by the bitter lemon hops and spices of cinnamon and brown sugar, making a delicious offering.

M - Light, bubbly and smooth. Nothing to complain about here. I was expecting something a little on the dry side, but the flavours and offerings balanced it nicely, making for a delicious balance.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 05:50:30 | More by andrenaline

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

500ml can poured into a pint glass

Appearance - dark amber/red. Large foamy/fizzy beige head that hangs around for a while. Great lacing. Average carbonation.

Smell - Hops, citrus notes, roasted malts and nuts

Taste & Mouth - hops up front, lots of carbonation on the tongue, bitter finish - slightly sour even. Slightly metallic.

Drink - A good beer that is worth a try. Something doesn't seem quite right though, and I can't put my finger on it. Seems like it's missing something, or maybe has too much of something

Serving type: can

08-06-2010 23:26:38 | More by spinrsx

regspeir

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Can into a pint glass, thanks to a trade with korguy123 . Poured a golden amber with a large off-white head which dissapates into a coating. Lacing was light but present as thin micro bubbles. Nose is roated nuts , some grain and sweet malt. Taste was some caramel, earthy malts, a metallic bitterness, sweet malts and a nice dry finish. Creamy, the carbonation was light, as was the feel. The ABV is not obvious. A decent beer but not one I would go out of my way to have again.

Serving type: can

08-03-2010 19:06:56 | More by regspeir

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: 473 mL can poured into a tulip glass. Labelled 6% ABV on the can.

Appearance: Deep musty brown in color. Not much light coming through, maybe even a little hazy. Two finger, light beige head with average retention. Looks more like a deep amber or a brown ale instead of a pale ale.

Aroma: Caramel and breadiness. Some nice citrus notes from the hops as well.

Taste: Nice flavor profile. Caramel and molasses upfront. Backed by nice bitter, citric hops. Suprisingly enjoyable. Good balance and flavorful.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and crisply carbonated.

Drinkability: With the managable ABV and nicely balanced flavors, I feel like having a couple of these would be pretty easy.

Overall, a nice, solid, drinkable ale. I feel that the flavor profile is most suited to an American Amber Ale than an English Pale Ale. Definitely worth a try. I was pleasantly surprised.

Serving type: can

07-25-2010 21:11:16 | More by Gosox8787

strawalker

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Color is aged port with a nice foamy off white head that stays at about 1/4 inch till finish. Despite all the assertions that this beer has a malt aroma up front, I get floral hops way up front with a malty, candy base. Taste is a yummy hoppy bite up front with a hint of caramel sweetness in the follow through. Medium body and mouth feel, very drinkable. Good beer, I will be purchasing again.

Serving type: can

07-14-2010 23:12:15 | More by strawalker

decimator

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From the OCB Discovery Pack Summer 2010.
473ml can poured into a pint glass.

A - Poured a clear dark amber-brown with a 1cm creamy head. The head was quickly gone. A little lacing is produced.

S - Mostly picking a toasted malts and a hint of citrus. It's mild but pleasant.

T - Sweet toffee, toasts and a mild bitterness from the hops. Surprisingly I'm not tasting the higher ABV.

M - Medium mouth feel and good carbonation. It does the job.

D - A beer I'll enjoy on occasion. Considering the 666 is a bit of a gimmick it turns out to be a decent beer.

Serving type: can

07-03-2010 02:01:58 | More by decimator

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured in to pint glass

A - Medium brown colour with a hint of amber and half a finger of white head.

S - A good balance of bready malts and citrus hops up front. Neither is is dominant and the overall nose is light to moderate.

T - A good hop bite up front - some citrus and floral notes. A nice crisp bready malt backbone that provides a touch of sweetness to balance out the hops. A bitter citrus hop finish.

M - Light body, moderate carbonation.

D - A very good pale ale. I would buy this again.

Serving type: can

07-01-2010 15:55:57 | More by TheSevenDuffs

mooseisloose

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Another suitcase import from north of the border, lets give it a whirl. Popping the can and pouring into a pint glass reveals a nice bronze brew with a rich foamy head at least 2 inches of it. Not really much smell, what there is is some licorice and molasses. Taste is intrinsically English and nicely balanced. Very dry noble hops combined with a caramel malt. Lots of toffee like the center of a Heath bar, but not overly bitter, not sweet, kind of dry and light but very flavorful. Head stands like a champ throughout the pint with a nice lacing sticking as it is imbibed. This is a flavorful beer that is not at all over-bearing and would be a great session beer. Very high drinkability.

Serving type: can

04-18-2010 16:45:56 | More by mooseisloose