Pale 31 California Pale Ale
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Pale 31 California Pale AlePale 31 California Pale Ale
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From:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
Ranked #655
ABV:
4.9%
Score:
86
Ranked #18,805
Avg:
3.83 | pDev: 10.7%
Reviews:
585
Ratings:
2,005
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 12, 2023
Added:
Aug 23, 2002
Wants:
  87
Gots:
  288
Pale 31 is brewed to exemplify the classic California pale ale style, hence the name honoring the Golden State as the 31st state to be admitted to the Union. Beautiful floral and citrus hop aromas greet the nose with undertones of lightly toasted malt. Crisp pale and crystal malts offer a hint of sweetness. Subtle hop bitterness offers a refreshing finish. Perfect for a sunny day at the beach or barbecue with friends, Pale 31 represents the bold yet approachable spirit that embodies our state.
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Ratings by therealJAYZ:
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Rated by therealJAYZ from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Jul 04, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of johnnnniee
Reviewed by johnnnniee from New Hampshire

3.64/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Can from MrBarleywine, thanks again!
I swear I've had this before I must not have reviewed. Pale gold with a thin bubbly white head. Light bready crackery malt cut with earthy floral and light tropical citrus notes.
Aug 12, 2023
Photo of pants678
Reviewed by pants678 from California

3.94/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Clear yellow with some foam.

Smells plenty hoppy.

Can't pick any hop in particular, touch of citrus, fairly earthy w/o being a weird sort of bitter. Very easy going, nothing off or buttery.

Clean and dry, kinda harsh.
Aug 03, 2023
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
As the American brewing scent pulled itself out of the shadows of European flavors, the American Pale Ale emerged, capturing a taste that was truly American, fueled with U.S. hops and a renewed sense of what balance means to a new class of beer drinkers.

Firestone Walker's Pale 31 kicks off with a copper and amber appearance, teeming with bubbles to build a creamy eggshell froth. As the aromas of caramel are met with citrus, pine and floral perfumes, the first sip leans in with a toasty sweet caramel, honey and nutty collection; enough to seem graham cracker-like.

As the malts slowly relax on the middle palate, its the hops that pull slightly ahead with the classic taste of pink grapefruit and orange peel for a slight hoppy lead to pass the drying malts. Moderately bitter, the hops trend piney, softly resinous and with hints of grassy flavors as the session comes to a bitter-sweet close.

Medium bodied, easy and effortless on the palate, the ale is built like British Pale Ale but with American pieces and parts to provide a clean, crisp and slightly hop balanced taste with a medium length afterglow of granola and pine.
Jul 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4.24 by Cpmitchno1 from Virginia

Jul 07, 2023
Photo of sjrider
Reviewed by sjrider from California

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can pour of the 2023 Propagator series - clear medium gold straw color with thick white head leaving scattered lacing. Nose is citrusy and floral with notes of sweet malt. Taste follows with just the slightest bite that lingers on a rather clean finish. Quite tasty as it's about a week old.
Jun 28, 2023
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
355 ml bottle, from CITTI-Markt Flensburg. ABV is 4.9% according to front label, according to rear label (from German importer BraufaktuM) it is 4.6%. BB date 30.07.2013. Malts are Pilsener, Pale (Maris Otter), Münchener, Caramel. Hops are Fuggle, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook. Deep golden colour, moderate white head. Aroma of caramel, orange marmalade and American hops, also some herbal notes. Smooth mouthfeel and flavour, moderate carbonation. Not too sweet, a little caramel, herbal hops but not very bitter. Not bad at all despite BB date, but will sample again when I get a fresher bottle, might be even better fresh.
Jan 23, 2021
Photo of davidward
Rated by davidward from Florida

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Another very good and very smooth pale ale from Firestone Walker.
Oct 18, 2020
 
Rated: 3.57 by ryanf2192 from District of Columbia

Jun 09, 2020
 
Rated: 3.5 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

May 13, 2020
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled 6/25/14; drank 9/28/14 @ the Yarchives.

Clear dandelion hue.

Big white head; frothy, tree-rung lace.

Fresh soap & fresh pine nose; hints of cilantro & pepper heat as well.

Medium thin mouthfeel. Honey, fresh pine & fresh soap flavor up front; honey sweetness settles on the lips as this warms.

These flavors tend to not be my favorite, but the honey balances this nicely. A delicious fall sipper.
Jul 05, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by bdlusa from Texas

Jun 02, 2019
 
Rated: 3.4 by Kolb from Montana

Apr 24, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by JohnDon from Texas

Oct 11, 2018
Photo of iguanodon
Reviewed by iguanodon from Utah

2.81/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
[Original rating 2012-11-17] Clear gold with a white head that recedes quickly. Aroma is faint, citrus and straw. Taste is bitter hops with a hint of sweetness. The finish is bitter, with citrusy hops.
Oct 03, 2018
 
Rated: 3.86 by mparella from Pennsylvania

Aug 31, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by labisch from Michigan

Aug 20, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Jul 16, 2018
 
Rated: 3.87 by guzzleacoldone from Ohio

Jul 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.72 by stratusjeans from Washington

Jun 20, 2018
Pale 31 California Pale Ale from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 2005 ratings