Saranac Pale Ale - Matt Brewing Company

Kendo

New York

3.73/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is a beer I've been drinking regularly for years, as it's pretty easy to find in the Capital District at a decent price. Looked forward to sitting down to review an old friend. . . .

A: Poured an orangey-copper color with a half-finger off-white head. Plenty of bubbles rose throughout and there was a small amount of lacing clinging to the glass.

S: Smelled bready but also with a scent of floral and citrus-fruity hops.

T: Nice balance between a biscuity malty flavor and the hops, though the hops imparted a slightly metallic bitterness, especially early in the glass. That metallic bitterness lingers on the back of the tongue, encouraging another sip. As it warms, that metallic hop flavor becomes more fruity and a bit less harsh. I kept going back and forth between giving this a 3.5 or a 4 on taste. It's that more metallic twang that resulted in a 3.5.

M: The body is light-to medium, but I thought it was a tad bit over-carbonated, resulting in too much fizziness.

D: Easily drinkable, even if it's not perfect all around. I've sessioned this beer many, many times.

One note on style: the bottle says it's an English Pale Ale while BA lists it as an American Pale Ale [edit, 11-21-08: I see BA now lists it as an English Pale]. I'm more inclined to agree with BA, as I think the hops prevail over the malt--which in my opinion is the big difference b/w an English and American Pale Ale. Sure, Saranac may use traditional English hops (at least that's what the bottle says), but in this case, I think the quantity used is more important than what variety is used. The dominant hop taste slides this one over to APA territory, I think.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2006 15:33:25 | More by Kendo

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +1.7%

05-24-2013 22:36:40 | More by ZEB89

Dirksen

California

4.25/5  rDev +23.5%

05-24-2013 19:55:49 | More by Dirksen

nmatros

New York

3.5/5  rDev +1.7%

05-23-2013 23:58:49 | More by nmatros

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +1.7%

05-20-2013 22:42:23 | More by Slatetank

yaksurf

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -12.8%

05-20-2013 20:30:12 | More by yaksurf

dpage27

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +1.7%

05-16-2013 18:15:46 | More by dpage27

mralbertson

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +9%

05-16-2013 02:01:57 | More by mralbertson

BigTrubble

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +9%

05-16-2013 00:38:24 | More by BigTrubble

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -12.8%

05-15-2013 15:39:21 | More by twenty5

rderedin

Maine

3.25/5  rDev -5.5%

05-12-2013 16:10:28 | More by rderedin

OldhouseRecs

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -5.5%

05-12-2013 01:01:26 | More by OldhouseRecs

ElijahRivera

New York

3.75/5  rDev +9%

05-10-2013 22:57:12 | More by ElijahRivera

Lovely85

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +9%

05-09-2013 23:55:13 | More by Lovely85

Bill235

Ohio

3/5  rDev -12.8%

05-09-2013 17:58:27 | More by Bill235

TeamMathis

West Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: Yellowish, reddish amber.
Smell: Very light floral and citrus.
Taste: Light floral and citrus.
Mouthfeel: Watery, light carbonation.

This is an enjoyable, refreshing, and drinkable brew. It's just not exciting. There's really nothing to dislike. The smell is a faint hint of the taste, which consists primarily of floral and citrus tones; perhaps a slight bit of honey. I would drink this again, but would only get it if it was in a sampler box with others I wanted to try.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 02:51:14 | More by TeamMathis

JT99125

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +9%

05-07-2013 20:59:57 | More by JT99125

pcsnyder

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +9%

05-06-2013 12:57:48 | More by pcsnyder

Kelp

New Hampshire

3/5  rDev -12.8%

05-04-2013 23:16:09 | More by Kelp

JG-90

New Jersey

2.85/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Bottle poured into glass gives a moderate sized, off-white head. Beer is a clear, bright, light copper/amber. Head settles to a small cap with heavy lacing. Smells of stale bread, light caramel malt, and funky wheat, not much overall aroma.

Taste is very bitter throughout, starting with stale bread and caramel malt, then just a hint of floral, has a stale bread, bitter, crisp, clean finish. Body on the lighter side of medium, with medium/high carbonation. English style PA's are not my favorite but I have had ones I've liked much more than this, in my opinion this beer is nothing special, but nothing bad either.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 17:54:38 | More by JG-90

FrankShirley

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -5.5%

05-02-2013 17:20:54 | More by FrankShirley

GMan

Tennessee

2.5/5  rDev -27.3%

04-26-2013 13:43:30 | More by GMan

dcollinsOX

New York

3.5/5  rDev +1.7%

04-26-2013 00:02:35 | More by dcollinsOX

MichaelProcton

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -5.5%

04-23-2013 03:49:39 | More by MichaelProcton

Utica_Brew_Review

New York

4.23/5  rDev +23%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Amazing golden, honey, amber appearance. Even balanced aroma, however not that pronounced. Hoppy, citrus, floral aroma. Great taste to start. Floral, citrus, earthy, and hoppy notes take center stage with a caramel depth behind them. Almost a yeasty / bread like base that supports the rest of the flavors.

This is one of (if not our favorite) pale ales.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 03:02:18 | More by Utica_Brew_Review