Blue Bridge Double Pale Ale
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouse

Blue Bridge Double Pale AleBlue Bridge Double Pale Ale
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From:
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouse
 
British Columbia, Canada
Style:
Imperial IPA
ABV:
8.2%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.62 | pDev: 10.77%
Reviews:
20
Ratings:
35
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 09, 2019
Added:
Oct 24, 2008
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  4
An emerging new world style, this double pale blends north-west and noble bittering hops and finishes with old world noble aromatic hops to create a complex and floral hop profile. This beer is superbly balanced, masking its strong body and making the beer very drinkable. Beware!

42 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Graham5161986:
Photo of Graham5161986
Reviewed by Graham5161986 from Canada (BC)

3.1/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This "Double Pale Ale" pours bit of a dull looking orange copper colour with nothing much in the way of head even with a pretty aggressive pour. Not much in terms of lacing is left on my glass either.

Smell is of faint grain and bready malt with a touch of honey and caramel and just a hint of fruit.

Taste is bit subdued overall with light notes of caramel and has touches of caramel, herbaceous honey in there too. Finish faint but slightly bready and just a bit bitter from this beer's limited amount of hops. I really don't know why this beer is classified as a DIPA - it's nothing like one and, honestly, I don't think it's trying to be one. There is very limited hopping going on. Also, at 8.2%, I was expecting alot more in terms of flavour. It's not bad - it's just not that great - it definitely lacks complexity and depth of flavour.

Mouthfeel is light with a good amount of carbonation, finish is pretty clean with a bit of oil from all the malts.

As for drinkability, it's amazing that this beer hides the alcohol so well (In fact, it's probably this beer's strongest asset). So, I wouldn't considers having a couple of these as much of a problem. It does however, lack a bit in terms of flavour and is, thus, not very memorable. That being said, I can't say I'll be remembering to pick up another one of these again. A mediocre offering from an otherwise stellar brewpub.
May 26, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
473 ml can on Vancouver Island in Port Renfrow B.C.
Pours with a deep amber body topped by a weak head.
This unusual DPA hits the style target with a very generous malt load and enough fruity hops to render it mildly bitter. The flavor is a bit too boozy if not unexpected at 8.2%.
Smooth, medium-full body with light carbonation.
Jun 09, 2019
Photo of dillybarrrrr
Reviewed by dillybarrrrr from Canada (BC)

3.79/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Blue Bridge double pale ale from Spinnaker poured from a 650mL into a Tulip. 8.2% 36IBU 6.99+tax. Picked this up due to the fact it was a pale ale with high ABV which is quite rare around where I live it seems.
L: For a double pale ale its quite dark. Dark as in orange an opaque not like a porter. Poured a perfect head on it one nice finger that stays around for awhile to befriend you.
S: Nothing overpowered seems quite balanced, for some reason pick up honey the most though.
T: this beer doesn't hide the alcohol in it. Not saying its over powering but you can taste it even for being a low IBU. Pick up lemon
F: Nice finish as mentioned above had the perfect head and it stuck around to bubble in my mouth. first thought in my head was finished like an MGD.
OV: Quite nice nothing to write home about but very solid craft beer for a solid price. Would recommend people to try at least once.
Jan 31, 2017
Photo of JonCorbett
Reviewed by JonCorbett from Canada (BC)

4.02/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: wonderful semi-clear orange-amber. Head is a slice of victorian white linen that drops it’ drapes very quickly leaving behind nothing but a light crocheted doily with shadows of lace.

Aromatics: Delicate sweet florals and sugars like a fresh-off-the-shelf pack of Juicy Fruit bubblegum. Some harder notes of caramel malts and biscuit underneath.

Taste: A very nice blend of baked sweet bread and a mild lemon rind, the earthy spice hop bitter rounds it out. After it warms up a bit you get additional of toasted caramel and vegetable cracker biscuit flavours.

Feel: The carbonation does just enough to push up the head and barely holds in the liquid itself leaving the mouthfeel almost unctuous. There is a bit of fuzz here and there in its medium body, but not a lot, and nary a peep from that 8.2% woozle juice which does a dandy job of staying well behind the curtain until the very last of the bitter linger disappears in a clean getaway - which is when you get the slightest hint of it on the back of the tongue.

Overall: I think the balance in the malt and hops has definitely been tweaked since the last time I had this a few years back. Perhaps my palate is just more sensitive to these flavours these days, or perhaps it’s because I care about the flavour more these days. In either case, I believe it to be far better now than what I remember of it before. This “new” version is far more agreeable especially for a DIPA. I would say if you have had this one more say 2 years ago, then it would be a worth a second try. I liked it a lot this time around.

Pairing : This is a fairly straightforward match for me: mini chicken fajitas/tacos (6" torts) with plenty of spice, roasted jalapeños, grilled red onion, and a couple slices of avocado - of course some fresh homemade hot salsa and sour cream for dipping/topping.
Sep 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4.19 by Mack from Canada (QC)

Jul 23, 2016
Photo of leaddog
Reviewed by leaddog from Canada (AB)

3.37/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - Pours a golden amber with two fingers of foamy white head.

Smell - citrus and earthy hops, bready malts, hints of citrus,

Taste - The bready malts are the forefront of this brew followed by the hint of citrus. The hops are there but not really there to provide that punch considering the style.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Finishes off dry with the malts lingering and a tad bitter from the hops.

Overall - A subpar Double Pale Ale. I was expecting the hops to be more predominate in the taste. However, it is more focused on the malts.
Aug 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.47 by Beervana from Canada (BC)

Jul 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.65 by BCborn from Canada (BC)

Jul 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.12 by SDRedDevil from California

Jun 21, 2015
 
Rated: 3.97 by Jlefa from Canada (BC)

Jan 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by ZachT from Canada (BC)

Oct 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by CWVegas from Nevada

Jun 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Coastal_Brew from Canada (BC)

Apr 14, 2014
Photo of LampertLand
Reviewed by LampertLand from Canada (BC)

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Spinnaker's Brewpub 'Blue Bridge Double Pale Ale' @ 8.2% , served from a 650 ml bottle purchased for $4.80
A-pour is a pale gold from the bottle to clear golden amber in the glass with a big sized white head leaving a streaky lace along the pint
S-pale malts
T-crisp , clean , very dry swallow/finish
MF-tons of carbonation , doesn't feel full bodied at all
Ov-a somewhat smooth Dbl Pale Ale that's easy to drink , well done Spinnakers
prost LampertLand
Mar 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Erik-P from Canada (BC)

Jan 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Bryn from Canada (AB)

Jul 10, 2013
 
Rated: 2.5 by TheSevenDuffs from Canada (ON)

Mar 15, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by KalanM from Canada (BC)

Nov 29, 2012
Photo of Cookeeman
Reviewed by Cookeeman from Canada (BC)

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This one deserves more credit than it gets. Truth be told, this is one my go-to's when I just want a good brew to get me a cheap buzz. It is probably the most drinkable 8.2% beer I've ever had, and here in Vic we can get a 650mL bottle for less than $6 (which is a steal). It's delicious without being expensive, and it's very versatile. It fits with a myriad of situations that everyone finds themselves in at some point in their life. Headed to the golf course and you're not the DD? Grab a couple Blue Bridge. Got off work late and headed to a party, need to catch up? Grab a couple Blue Bridge. Payday is tomorrow, there's nothing new out and you just need a good beer to make you happy? Grab a couple Blue Bridge. I think you get my drift.

As far as a review goes, the key word is still Drinkability. It's very smooth, not too much carbonation, nice clean finish. The malt body isn't too complex, certainly not a boring 1-dimensional beer, but it's also not a thinker. A mild hop finish, just enough to cover any alcohol burn that normally would exist in a beer of this percentage. While I may not think this beer is an award-winner, I recognize and respect it's place in the craft beer community. It's not a beer that everyone talks about, but most would miss if it disappeared! Maybe I'm crazy, but I just feel this beer is more than the sum of its parts...
Oct 28, 2012
Photo of kjyost
Reviewed by kjyost from Canada (MB)

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottle received from my sister for my birthday. Thanks Jackei & Tony! Poured into a nonic at 4C.

Nice clear copper body with a one finger white head that drops rather quickly with light lacing. Caramel malts on the nose with a vinous hint underneath. Some earthy hops lie underneath it all. I was expecting a bigger hop hit, regardless of the noble hops being used. The body continues in a similar fashion, with minimal hop flavours. Earthy and a hint of spicy hops underneath a fairly thick body that is sweet with minimal bitterness. An odd style that I don't get. Too much malt in the body and not nearly enough hops... Meh, not worth having again.
Jul 09, 2012
Blue Bridge Double Pale Ale from Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouse
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 35 ratings