-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Synchronicity
Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Style:
- Belgian IPA
- ABV:
- 7.4%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.83 | pDev: 5.22%
- Reviews:
- 4
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Oct 13, 2014
- Added:
- Apr 14, 2013
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Invictus:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Slatetank from Pennsylvania
3.83/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.83/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I had this on tap at Al's in a Tulip pint.
the color is golden with hazed appearance yet has a thick head of white with fine bead and lace stickage is decent. The smell is nice with some herbal hop odors and phenolic yeast with a spiced and slight stone fruit quality. The feel is very good with moderately creamy body with semi-dry texture and moderate bitterness w/ semi-high carbonation and mostly dry and bitter finish with low alcohol influence.
The taste is good with some herbal hop and slight fruity yeast flavors up front which lead to a mild medicinal edge and light pine mixed with herbal hop and perhaps a light astringent or grass taste in the background with mild malt and more tangy almost tropical notes from the yeast with slight earthy element. Overall this is a very good beer, I like the flavor but was surprised to learn it was fermented with a saison strain. It is very similar to another East coast brewer's Belgian IPA who will remain nameless, but I like it so it gets a good drinkability score since it is fresh and is very low in alcohol flavor.
Apr 24, 2013the color is golden with hazed appearance yet has a thick head of white with fine bead and lace stickage is decent. The smell is nice with some herbal hop odors and phenolic yeast with a spiced and slight stone fruit quality. The feel is very good with moderately creamy body with semi-dry texture and moderate bitterness w/ semi-high carbonation and mostly dry and bitter finish with low alcohol influence.
The taste is good with some herbal hop and slight fruity yeast flavors up front which lead to a mild medicinal edge and light pine mixed with herbal hop and perhaps a light astringent or grass taste in the background with mild malt and more tangy almost tropical notes from the yeast with slight earthy element. Overall this is a very good beer, I like the flavor but was surprised to learn it was fermented with a saison strain. It is very similar to another East coast brewer's Belgian IPA who will remain nameless, but I like it so it gets a good drinkability score since it is fresh and is very low in alcohol flavor.
Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania
4.12/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.12/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Draft offering at the source. The brew appears a clear pale yellow with streaming bubbles of carbonation that support a pillow of white froth atop. A full wall of lace sticks to the glass and the cap displays solid retention.
The aroma includes herbal hops that are somewhat spicy and almost lemony. Some yeasty pepper and more fruity aspects come out as it warms up. Overall a solid smelling brew balanced somewhere between a spicy saison and herbal pale ale.
The flavor is sweet at first then herbal bitter hops come into play with a slight lemon essence and warming alcohol feel. Some apple and pear esters are present mid palate. A yeastiness like bubblegum and clove come in towards the back before a bit of solvent alcohol rounds things out.
This is a medium bodied brew with a prickly level of carbonation. Very warming and spicy for 7% that drinks like a big and spicy saison with an extra hop kick. I liked this quite a bit despite not being the biggest fan of belgian ipas. I think the choice in hops was really well done in the way it blended with the yeast character. I look forward to drinking this again.
Apr 17, 2013The aroma includes herbal hops that are somewhat spicy and almost lemony. Some yeasty pepper and more fruity aspects come out as it warms up. Overall a solid smelling brew balanced somewhere between a spicy saison and herbal pale ale.
The flavor is sweet at first then herbal bitter hops come into play with a slight lemon essence and warming alcohol feel. Some apple and pear esters are present mid palate. A yeastiness like bubblegum and clove come in towards the back before a bit of solvent alcohol rounds things out.
This is a medium bodied brew with a prickly level of carbonation. Very warming and spicy for 7% that drinks like a big and spicy saison with an extra hop kick. I liked this quite a bit despite not being the biggest fan of belgian ipas. I think the choice in hops was really well done in the way it blended with the yeast character. I look forward to drinking this again.
Reviewed by orangesol from Pennsylvania
3.99/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on-tap at Al's of Hampden.
A - Pours pale yellow with a small half finger tall white head leaving soapy rings of lace down most of the glass.
S - Smells like a typical Belgian IPA with a bit of extra hops on top. Hints of grassy hops, some tropical fruit zest, typical Belgian spiciness, touch of sugary sweetness and a bit of light funk from the saison yeast. A very nice nose.
T - Starts off with a quick hit of hop bitterness quickly being overrun by the strong Belgian core of the beer. Hints of light spice, fresh cut grass and earthy funk from the saison yeast help round things out. Finish is a mix of sweetness and spicy funk, lingering on the palate for awhile after the finish.
M - Medium-Light body with moderate carbonation. Lots of bitterness and a touch of breadiness in the feel. Booze creeps in toward the end of the glass but it does't affect it much.
O - An interesting take on the style. It packs plenty of hops to make it an IPA yet it has a touch of earthy funk from the saison yeast. Not your typical IPA thats for sure but it is still very drinkable.
Apr 15, 2013A - Pours pale yellow with a small half finger tall white head leaving soapy rings of lace down most of the glass.
S - Smells like a typical Belgian IPA with a bit of extra hops on top. Hints of grassy hops, some tropical fruit zest, typical Belgian spiciness, touch of sugary sweetness and a bit of light funk from the saison yeast. A very nice nose.
T - Starts off with a quick hit of hop bitterness quickly being overrun by the strong Belgian core of the beer. Hints of light spice, fresh cut grass and earthy funk from the saison yeast help round things out. Finish is a mix of sweetness and spicy funk, lingering on the palate for awhile after the finish.
M - Medium-Light body with moderate carbonation. Lots of bitterness and a touch of breadiness in the feel. Booze creeps in toward the end of the glass but it does't affect it much.
O - An interesting take on the style. It packs plenty of hops to make it an IPA yet it has a touch of earthy funk from the saison yeast. Not your typical IPA thats for sure but it is still very drinkable.
Reviewed by philbe311 from Pennsylvania
3.97/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.97/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A - A slight one fingers worth of pure white slightly lush head... Limited retention gives way o a full veil of lacing... The color is a golden yellow... There is moderate carbonation... Sheets of lacing cling to the glass as the session proceeds...
S - A bit subdued, but still quite pleasing... As expected Belgian yest and what appear to be noble hops dance in enjoyable fashion... Some light notes of fresh cut grass and a hit of funkiness as well...
T - A very strong undeniable one two punch of Belgian yeast an noble hops... The two contend for prominence in a battle that ultimately becomes a draw... A subtle mix of grassy and floral notes... The hops continue to crescendo on the finish and linger for quite a bit in a very enjoyable fashion...
M - Spot on for the style... On the lighter side of medium bodied... Real good "bite..." Light to medium carbonation... A bit chalky... Goes down easily sip after sip... Very nice...
D - A rock solid interruption of the Belgian IPA style... Quaffable... Hides the 7.4% ABV rather well... Solidly above average in all facets with outstanding taste... I will gladly enjoy in again and suggest other BAs do so as well... Pizza Boy is really starting to turn out some fantastic brews and its about time everyone begins to realize...
Apr 14, 2013S - A bit subdued, but still quite pleasing... As expected Belgian yest and what appear to be noble hops dance in enjoyable fashion... Some light notes of fresh cut grass and a hit of funkiness as well...
T - A very strong undeniable one two punch of Belgian yeast an noble hops... The two contend for prominence in a battle that ultimately becomes a draw... A subtle mix of grassy and floral notes... The hops continue to crescendo on the finish and linger for quite a bit in a very enjoyable fashion...
M - Spot on for the style... On the lighter side of medium bodied... Real good "bite..." Light to medium carbonation... A bit chalky... Goes down easily sip after sip... Very nice...
D - A rock solid interruption of the Belgian IPA style... Quaffable... Hides the 7.4% ABV rather well... Solidly above average in all facets with outstanding taste... I will gladly enjoy in again and suggest other BAs do so as well... Pizza Boy is really starting to turn out some fantastic brews and its about time everyone begins to realize...
Synchronicity from Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
11 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!