Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale

Brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale
Cleveland, Ohio USA

Sampled at Griffen Distributor show. Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale is a clear, slightly carbonated golden ale. The head is thick, foamy and off-white. It has great retention and leaves nice lacing on the glass. The aroma is a little muted by the head, but it’s mostly fresh citrus, probably Cascade. It is medium bodied, a little starchy in the mouth and the finish is dry. It has pretty good balance.

Bottle. Pours slightly red. I can barely distinguish this from Commodore Perry, just pine, grass, and a weird earthy flavor.

Bottle from a trade with phaleslu. Pours amber color with eggshell colored head. Aromas of citrus, pine and biscuits. The flavor is a nice balance of biscuit malts and piney hops. Medium body with average carbonation. A nice APA. Thanks Peter.

color is lighter then expected kinda almost blondish with a bit of an Amber hue, nose is resin and grapefruit. flavor is a nice touch of malts with lotsa hops crammed in everywhere else. nice flavorful ipa

Transparent amber with a long-lasting creamy beige head, heavy lacing. Nose is earthy grass, some caramel and biscuit. Creamy body with strong caramel in the flavor, some minor grass and grapefruit but not enough to balance out the sweetness.

Enjoyed this one at Gullifty’s with Armed before watching ’Nova take down Seton Hall at the Pavillion. Great game and a good beer. Color is surprisingly light and clear - makes it look a little watered down. Lots of piney hops in the aroma. Flavor is nicely hopped with a smooth malty balance. Very enjoyable and definitely makes you want more than one.

12 oz bottle
This was part of a sampler left over from a party. Figuring that I am unlikely to ever buy a sixer any time soon I gave it a try. This is not a bad pale ale. Given the price and relatively wide availability Burning River makes a fabulous alternative to macros at a reasonable price. Great Lakes Brewing knows how to make a solid beer and this proves it.

Aroma / Appearance - The copper fluid body was decorated with a thin layer of white foam that looked like sugary frosting. Hoppy and a bit vegetatal the beer suggested that it was on the edge of the line between a standard pale ale and one trying to take things to the next level. Melon notes glue together the pieces well.

Flavor / Palate - Maple syrup aged in oak barrels fills the mouth with sweet moisture. Resin and grapefruit combine near the finish to give this a cohesive experience. The malty finish likes a trace of bitterness. Overall this is a sessionable beer that would be great to drink while hanging out with friends over a campfire or grill. It should be available somewhere around you so if you can pick up a single do so.

An assertively hopped American Pale Ale with citrusy and piney Cascade hops. Subtle malt flavors balance the hop profile and provide a satisfying dry finish. 65 IBU.