Epic Pale Ale

Epic Brewing Company
Brewed at Steam Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale
Auckland, New Zealand

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker

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A firm sharp hoppy beer, very quenching, and a great introduction to flavourful beers to those in this country who may think all we have to offer are crappy "draught" brown lagers. The hop character from the aroma is very "in your face", and sells the fruity, intense flavours to come. A great beer from a great brewer.

Lovely hop aromas, but unfortunately I found the aftertaste to be slightly bitter and astringent. Little carbonation and seems a little "flat". May have to relook into this one though, as it is not how I remember this beer and thinking I may have a dud bottle.

Pours a lovely copper with deep citrus and fresh hop aroma’s. taste is wow a nice resin/citrus hop hit followed by a mild palate. This is a truly an amazing beer if its wasn’t so expensive i would by it in quantity.

500ml bottle, tulip glass. More of those fantastic Epic aromas just a bit dialed down compared to the Armageddon. Wonderful moderate to heavy citrus, peaches, tropical fruit, pine, hop resin aromas, light caramel and roasted malt. Light amber/deep golden hue, medium off white fine bubbly lasting head, very good lacing. Bitter taste mostly with some sweetness and a hint of sourness. Palate is a bit average - slightly lacking in body - a bit thin, very notable dry finish, nicely carbonated. Epic say "You can only drink so many beers in a lifetime, so you better make each one count" and with that in mind although this was a good one I would go for the Armageddon if you want each one to count.

I’ve seen this beer on the shelf a few times but I’ve avoided it considering that it’s being imported from New Zealand and I live in Kansas. Still, I saw some today and figured I’d give them a shot. 17 ounce bomber. Pours a light amber to golden blonde with an impeccably clear appearance. Huge frothy two inch head. Impressive aroma; I have the beer sitting next to me and I am getting a clear whiff of hops - the glass is roughly 2 feet away from me. As the head dissipates the lacing is very clingy. Aroma is of citrus and pine hops with some light skunkiness in the background. Slick mouthfeel with some nice mild bitterness. Light to mild carbonation. Flavor is hops, up front. Floral hops abound up front, and there’s a nice spicy pepper note in the middle of the beer, with lingering grapefruit in the finish. The malt profile is there, as you get breadiness somewhere in the middle before going back to hops. Where this beer breaks the rules is in the finish. I get this amazing caramel sweetness aftertaste, completely the opposite of what I expect when drinking a pale ale. Outside of that, the malt is subdued, which I like. It’s a nicely understated counterpoint to all of the hops - and make no mistake, hops is what this beer is all about. More specifically, Cascade. Full Disclosure: I actually listened to an interview with Epic’s brewer, and he stated the beer was only made with one hop - Cascade, which is just crazy. There’s so much going on with the hop profile that you’d swear there’s more than just that hop in it. But no, it’s just Cascade. The best thing about this beer is how clean it is. It’s super clear, very clean on the palate, and amazingly crisp when drinking. One of the best Pale Ales I have had in a very long time. That’s not doing it enough justice. One of the best beers, period, I’ve had in a very long time. Very impressive, especially for New Zealand.

UPDATED: MAY 25, 2009 Nicely crafted APA. The usual suspects (in the good way) on the nose and taste for the the style and very well balanced. Strong US hop aroma and flavor. One of the best pale ales on the NZ market.

UPDATED: APR 26, 2009 Orange marmalade and resin on the nose. Rich amber colour. Tasty, everything the nose promises and more, clean bitter finish invites another sip. 2 litre rigger from Regionals

Considering that this has just flown 14000miles, in the hold of a jumbo, inside one of my cousins shoes, in the suitcase... It’s fantastic. Perhaps they too inspiration from Lil’Creatures? Really good American Pale Ale Style, hoppy, grassy, zingy, dry finish. Well done. 15hops per bottle?

Pours a perfect amber with thin white head. Smells incredibly refreshing and full of American pale ale yeast and hops. The taste is crisp with a sting bitterness at the back of the palate. A good all round American pale ale, especially for Oceania. If you like this beer and haven’t tried little creatures pale ale (from fremantl, western Australia) I would strongly recommend that you give it a go.

Arguably one of NZs best craft beers and certianly the flag-bearer for the APA style (Aotearoa Pale Ale anyone?) - round fruit malt body with a diverse range of hop flavours - grass, tropical fruit, pine, licorice. Complex and very drinkable.