Ginger Pale Ale
Northwest Brewing Company

Ginger Pale AleGinger Pale Ale
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From:
Northwest Brewing Company
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Herb and Spice Beer
ABV:
5%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.45 | pDev: 16.23%
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
31
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 11, 2015
Added:
Aug 12, 2008
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by djeucalyptus:
Photo of djeucalyptus
Reviewed by djeucalyptus from Oregon

3.57/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
pours a chill-hazed decently bring golden hue in the glass, capped with a fizzy off-white cap that fizzles and pops down to a thin cap fairly quickly. lacing, unfortunately, is kept to a minimum.

just incase there was any doubt, the aroma smacks you in the face with ginger. a bit of lemongrass, a hint of floral hop notes, and more ginger. smells like a strong ginger beer.

The aroma wasn't playing around... smells like a ginger soda, tastes like a ginger soda. A nice fresh-ginger note up front, fading to a more earthy gingering. There's a bit of hop bitterness and maybe a touch of pale malt hiding in the wings, but the ginger is definitely the star of the show. a bit of white sugar sweetness keeps it from being too spicy.

aroma and taste following soda is acceptable... the mouthfeel doing the same is unexpected. Light, even for a pale, with some ample carbonation. it actually works alright with the flavors, but a touch fuller body (or a touch less carbonation) would do wonders for this one. Clean and crisp, a touch drying, all in all not too bad.

This one went great with food, and I could see utilizing it in the same fashion in the future. not one I would session, nor would regularly seek out. but as far as ginger beers go, this one is nicely executed and sits at a fair price point. It's definitely ginger, ginger, and more ginger. If that's not your thing, don't bother with this one. If you dig ginger, than this one may be worth a shot.
Mar 02, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of grizzbar
Rated by grizzbar from Montana

2.29/5  rDev -33.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
The ginger is nearly overpowering. This one likely is either loved or set down and avoided.
Mar 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by BrewtalHonesty from Oregon

Jun 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Drknight from Virginia

Mar 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Needmorebeer312 from Washington

Oct 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by 510a from Washington

Jun 17, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Hopmodium from Washington

Apr 28, 2013
Photo of Murrhey
Reviewed by Murrhey from Washington

3.32/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured from a bomber into a pint glass. Reviewed live.

A- Almost no head, what is there is a thin white head. Amber body with medium clarity. Looks average at best.

S- Strange smell, some watery ginger, some medium spices. Not great. But alright.

T- Some spices, ginger, cool and smooth. Very strange flavor. I am, as a rule, not a fan of ginger beers, but this has some interesting flavor.

M- Light, wet, little finish. Nothing special.

O- It's ok, not complex or incredible, but certainly well balanced. The balance isn't wonderful though.
Dec 17, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by adkieffer from Washington

Oct 05, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by chocosushi from Oklahoma

Jul 18, 2012
 
Rated: 2.5 by jdeand2 from Washington

Jun 26, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by SSGM1974

Jun 10, 2012
Photo of chumba526
Reviewed by chumba526 from Oregon

3.5/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appears golden with a fizzy head.

It smells of sweet malt, citrus and ginger. The ginger smell is very prevalent.

It tastes initially of sweet malt (I get a mild toffee like flavor) the flavor of ginger soon takes over. I enjoy the rawness of the ginger flavor. There is a bit of a grassy hop flavor as well.

The beer has medium high carbonation.

Overall a pretty tasty beer. It is nothing amazing but it is worth trying.
Aug 14, 2011
Photo of philbertk
Reviewed by philbertk from Washington

4.07/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Laughing Buddha Brewing Company--Ginger Pale Ale--Refreshing ginger, galanga, and Mandarin orange peel--Malt Beverage Brewed With Ginger & Orange Peel--2008 22 oz. Bottle. 5.00% ABV. 10 IBU's? (3.75 / 5.0) Fizzy thin lacy head. Clear bright rich amber color. Rich ginger orange mild hop front. Zesty crisp hot ginger mild sweet citrus caramel tasty fruity body. Big dense pellicle darkens color & sharpens ginger citrus. Refreshing dry sweet citrus hot ginger end.Sampled 7/26/2009. Purchased for $4.99 at The Ballard Market, Seattle.

trade route brewing company aka Laughing Buddha Brewing Company Ginger Pale Ale--An appetizing beer brewed with fragrant ginger and Mandarin orange peel.--2009 22 oz. Bottle. 5.00% ABV. 15 IBU's? (4.5 / 5.0) Fizzy thin mild light lace thin white head. Clear pretty bright gold color. Rich ginger mild orange hop front. Zesty ginger infused crisp pilsner pale ale mild sweet orange citrus thin body. Spicy very refreshing clean mild hop citrus end. Balanced spicy brew. Sampled 6/6/2009. Purchased for $4.29 at The Ballard Market, Seattle.

Trade Route Brewing Company--Ginger Pale Ale--Beer brewed with ginger, galanga, and orange peel--2011 22 oz. Bottle. 5.00% ABV. 3 IBU's. (4.0 / 5.0) Lacy slightly creamy rocky dissapating white head. Clear bright appealing orange gold color. Rich aromatic ginger orange peel front. Mellow creamy mild sweet smooth ginger infused mildly rich doughy hint caramel fruit hint nice Pale Ale body. Crusty ginger galanga hints enliven mouthfeel. Rich balanced spice flavor does not overpower solid body. Dry mild hot ginger clean smooth easy end. Well done richly Ginger balanced Pale. Sampled 3/14/2011. Purchased for $4.49 at QFC--Ballard, Seattle on 2/24/2011.
Mar 29, 2011
Photo of tpd975
Reviewed by tpd975 from Florida

3.42/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to SeaBass.

A: Pours a light golden hue with a rather small head. No retention or lace.

S: Aromas of orange, mild ginger, and other spices.

T: Lots of citrus, mild zest with notes of ginger. Light caramel, and hints of bread.

M: Light in body, sort of watery to be honest.

D: Just good, not great.
May 29, 2010
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

2.7/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Bomber for under $4, that works for me....pours kinda fizzy and noisy under a near white head, early pour are clar, but the final pour ends up clouded, some retention on the head, and leaving a long lasting collar and some moderate lacing. The nose is of the expected ginger with an additional wiff of aftershave, yikes, differant brew fer sure...more ginger comes through on the tongue and it adds an interesting note, just not sure if I like it yet or not. Heavy ginger, citrus, soap, more aftershave lotion, sheeesh, this stuff if differant and I dont think I like it, a few more sips and this one is soapy, spicy and not all that pleasant to my taste buds, got through about 2/3 of the bottle, but alas, the rest is a drain pour, interesting, differant, but in the end not for me...quite unlikely I'd go for this one again..
Feb 12, 2010
Photo of WesWes
Reviewed by WesWes from New York

3.25/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
The beer pours a nice gold color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a light and refreshing pale malt and ginger spice aroma. The Mandarin orange peel is noticeable and provides excellent complexity and balance for the ginger. The taste is average. It has a crisp and refreshing taste that's not too heavy in the malt department, but plenty loaded with spices. The ginger and orange peel are up front and damn tasty, but the malt character is really lacking and it finishes quite watery. The mouthfeel is average. It is a low bodied beer with too much carbonation. This is an interesting beer, but I'm almost positive I'll never drink another.
Dec 11, 2009
Photo of Gmann
Reviewed by Gmann from New York

3.51/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a slightly hazy toasted straw color with a small white head that quickly dissipated into nothingness. Looks like a shade darker apple juice. The aroma is of ginger, a bit flowery, almost a wild honey or raw sugar sweetness, quite nice. Ginger up front with a solid yet mild supporting malt, perhaps a touch of a lemon twang in the end. The feel is light to moderate, fizzy carbonation; finishes with an herbal ginger sweetness. I didn't think I was going to like this brew as I think actual ginger tastes like soap but this brew works. There is a nice ginger characteristic that plays well with the malt. This is a no brainer for sushi restuarants.
May 31, 2009
Photo of SurlyDuff
Reviewed by SurlyDuff from Oregon

4.06/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy apricot color with decent foam.

Aroma is really juicy ginger, fresh, sweet and spicy. It's enticing, seems to reach my nose from the glass sitting there on the counter.

Taste is fresh grated ginger, boy would i like some sushi right now. This is an herb/spice beer, not a pale ale or other style. it's ginger forward, there's little 'balance' in regard to hops or malt, but that's nothing to take points from, it's what it says it is.

I'm glad to find ginger, pepper, mango, and other interesting beers every so often, they really do it for me on occasion. Many BA's rate these styles low because of their style-prejudices, but I love a unique brew!
May 13, 2009
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

3.82/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Juicy apricot with a crystalline clarity. The pastel ginger colored crown looks like meringue and is slowly crackling away. It's a little too smooth and featureless to impress. Not only that, but the glass is virtually untouched by lace.

The wonderfully warm, exotic, spicy aroma of freshly grated ginger filled the room on the pour. Talk about fragrant beer! The amazing thing is that mandarin orange peel, although subtle, is appreciated as well. If you like ginger, you'll like the way this one smells. If you don't, then you won't.

The same sentiment applies to the flavor. The brewers did a fantastic job of not allowing the ginger to dominate the entire beer. This is a strongly flavored ale that, nevertheless, retains some semblance of balance. That doesn't mean that even a ginger lover like me won't get a tad flavor weary by the bottom of the bomber. Hence, the slight decrease in the drinkability score.

The base pale ale tastes mostly pale malted, with a surprising hop firmness. Even though hop flavor is almost completely superceded by ginger, I'll make a stab in the dark and say that German varieties were used. There's just enough underlying sweetness and orange peel tartness to take the edge off the ginger spiciness.

The mouthfeel is okay at the start, but loses its way on the finish by thinning out too soon. The bubbles aren't sturdy enough to keep things buoyant until the swallow. Still, not bad at all.

Laughing Buddha Brewing Company became Tradewinds Brewing Company on the first of this month. No matter what they call themselves, they brew pretty good beer that never fails to be interesting. Pandan Brown and Ginger Pale are the cream of the crop so far.
Apr 12, 2009
Ginger Pale Ale from Northwest Brewing Company
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 31 ratings