Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale

June 2007. Draft at the brewpub. Crisp amber body with a small white head. Moderately hoppy aroma, light citrus, and light fruity notes with very mild malt underpinnings. Similar flavour, moderate hops with moderate resin, light citrus and balancing malt. Averate palate is a a touch undercarbonated which makes it feel lighter than it really is. I remember this being much hoppier. Not sure if it is the beer or me that is different today. It is still nice, but lacks that next level that I had hoped for. 7/3/7/3/14 - 3.4 <P>January 2006. Bottle. Amber body with a moderate off white head. (3+) Very hoppy aroma, citrus and lots of resin. I would have guessed Northern Brewer - Reminds me of Black Oak Pale Ale but with more orange notes. Moderate bitterness, with light citrus and resin, orange and grapefruit. Lingering bitterness, and grapefruit rind in the aftertaste. Average to medium palate. Pleasant. 8/3/7/3/15 - 3.6

Pours a golden coppery color with a small white head. Aroma is of hops, orange citrus,wheat and slight pine. Taste is full of hops with hints of orange citrus and even lemon. Very satisfying and refreshing.

A clear amber color that looks inviting when poured into a mug. Medium white lacing remains as tje head dissipates.The body is lighter than expected with a bit of a tart hoppy taste. Not the best pale ale, but far from the worst.

A really excellent pale ale that would be good to have around. Amber color, full head. Nicely hopped, with citrus mainly featured, plus toasted malts and caramelly syrup. Well balanced, with a lively hop presence and rounded full mouthfeel. Another one of those that would have been borderline IPA 5 or so years ago.

Bottle courtesy of Styles and also on draught at Buffalo Brewpub: Mostly clear amber with bright amber-orange highlights when held to the light. Has a medium light beige head that sticks. The aroma is fairly balanced between floral & citrus hops and mild grains and toasted malt. Taste is citrus/floral hops, doughy malt, grains that come through just a bit too much, caramel, and light fruit. Finishes with medium bitter floral hops and a bit of grains. Medium bodied, medium carbonated, solid mouthfeel that is in between watery and creamy as if that makes any sense. Basically it’s not creamy, but then it’s not watery either so I’ll go with hertyl on this one.

Bottle (12oz). Clear amber with an average off-white head. Aroma was an appealing balance of mild roast malt and plentiful fresh juicy hops, drily floral, almost sweet. Taste is very much grapefruit hops, light roast malt backing, this would actually be sweet if the aggressive hops weren’t steering - a long, enjoyably bitter finish. Mouthfeel is bitter, dry and quite sharp - my tongue really tingled as I drank it. This is a solid PA - I’ll get it again, if I can find it.

On tap at Firkin’s, Libertyville, IL. Clear red amber having a nice average off-white head with good lacing. Fresh hop flower aroma. Soft carbonation. Medium bodied that starts light sweet malt, hop, and fruitiness (grape?) flavors. Finishes with a light lingering hop bitterness. Well-balanced ale with slight edge towards hoppiness. This is a very good drinkable hoppy beer that went well with my Caribbean port sandwich and fries. .

A robust hoppy aroma entices the sense of smell. This beer displays a burnt camel color with a good thick head. The taste offers the well developed taste of hops that is infused with a mild citrus taste. It sits in the mouth well and fades smoothly.