This is what an American pale ale should be
Written: Feb 07 '09 (Updated Feb 22 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: good palate of bitter hops with citrus taste; smooth, not too heavy
Cons: taste could’ve been much stronger
The Bottom Line: If you’ve ever been hesitant to try a purposely bitter beer, this would be a good starting point
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| Chad9976's Full Review: Southern Tier Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale |
I’m a huge fan of the India Pale Ale style, so regular pale ales tend not to impress me much. However, I do appreciate a crisp, tasty beer no matter what the style and that’s certainly true of Southern Tier Phin & Matt’s Extraordinary Ale. It’s a uniquely American take on the classic pale ale style and it works well.
POUR, COLOR AND AROMA
This beer poured very smooth to a clear, dark gold body with plenty of carbonation and a one-finger, white, soapy head. The aroma was a pleasing scent of pine, citrus and floral notes – all of which are typical of pale ales. I had a feeling I was in for a good beer.
TASTE
A great taste immediately off the first swig is one of my small pleasures in life. Phin & Matt’s won me over very quickly with its strong taste of cascade hops along with some citrus and pine flavors to create for a refreshing, tasty beer. Often, beers of this type are so strongly-hopped they can have a dry or salty palate, but that was not the case here.
In fact, like the other Southern Tier brews I have sampled, I might fault this beer for being just a bit flat. As complex and well-balanced as the taste was, I felt the beer had an underlying watery texture. The average drinker is unlikely to notice this, or if they do they might find it to be less intimidating. Personally, I would prefer something stronger in taste every time, but this is a good compromise.
FINISH
Bitter beers get a bad rap for being difficult to drink, which is simply not true. Phin & Matt’s slightly thin taste, combined with its soft mouthfeel makes it a very drinker-friendly brew. In fact, it’s so tasty and easy to drink I actually had to pace myself to savor it.
BODY
For a beer that is a little above-average at 5.6% ABV, this beer does not drink like something so heavy. I was able to drink three bottles in under 90 minutes without feeling overwhelmed in the least. In fact, I might almost criticize it for not being potent or heavy enough.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s hard for me to name beers that I think would be a truly good starting point for those interested in the craft brewing scene, but Southern Tier Phin & Matt’s Extraordinary Ale would definitely be such a beer. It’s got a good taste that isn’t too strong, an easy finish and a body that’s a lot lighter than you’d expect. There’s something for everyone here.
OTHER PALE ALES:
Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55 (4)
Dundee American Pale Ale (4)
Magic Hat #9 (5)
Otter Creek Pale Ale (4)
Samuel Adams Pale Ale (3)
Saranac Pale Ale (3)
ALSO BY SOUTHERN TIER:
Southern Tier India Pale Ale (4)
Southern Tier Porter Dark (4)
Southern Tier Raspberry Wheat (3)
NOTE: watch the video version of this review at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0c7f1soM3w
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Chad9976
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Member: Chad Polenz
Location: Albany, New York
Reviews written: 657
Trusted by: 147 members
About Me:Check out Chad'z Beer Reviews on YouTube
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