21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale
Boulevard Brewing Co.

21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Boulevard Brewing Co.
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
ABV:
7.4%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.05 | pDev: 10.86%
Reviews:
71
Ratings:
113
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 10, 2015
Added:
Oct 29, 2010
Wants:
  15
Gots:
  5
In November of 1989, John McDonald loaded his pickup and drove three blocks down the street to deliver the very first keg of Boulevard beer. Though significantly more assertive, Boulevard 21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale is brewed in loving tribute to that original Pale Ale. English pale malt gives the brew a rich, nutty malt flavor. Munich and Caramel malts add color and body, while a blend of Cascade, Hallertau, Magnum, Styrian Golding, and Centennial hops contribute scintillating citrus aromas and complex, peppery notes.

40 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BradLikesBrew:
Photo of BradLikesBrew
Reviewed by BradLikesBrew from Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Shimmering orange body with a huge white head that dissapears completely in just a few moments.

The aroma gives away the unique hop bill used in the brewing process. Cascade, hallertau, magnum, styrian golding, and centenial. That's noble, English, and new world varieties all in one beer. The result is bright and delicate, floral and spicy, peppery and minty, fruity and grassy.

Malt flavors are somewhere between an Oktoberfest and an English Pale. This rich malt flavor is offset by a dizzying array of complex hop flavors. Pepper, mint, citrus, hay, herbal and floral. Despite the impressive hop flavors, bitterness is mild to moderate making this super drinkable.

Leave it to Boulevard to produce another non-traditional hop tribute. Great to find that after 21 years Boulevard can still find a way to put a new spin on a style as ubiquitous as American Pale Ale. Every IPA and APA in their catalog adds something new to the conversation. They may not satisfy avid hop heads, but they provide respite for those weary of yet another West Coast hop bomb.
Dec 24, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.06 by wethorseblanket from California

Apr 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by heysuz from Indiana

Nov 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by dheldman from Minnesota

Nov 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by afsdan from Colorado

Apr 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by jaydoc from Kansas

Oct 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by GRG1313 from California

Sep 08, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by Jchristmore34 from Texas

Aug 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by slavall from Wisconsin

Dec 29, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by jmueller216 from Kansas

Dec 18, 2012
Photo of Groenebeor
Reviewed by Groenebeor from California

4.32/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from the bottle into a Boulevard Pint glass.

Pours a light orange hue, crystal clear, yet dark in the middle. Very beautiful. Nice medium sized head that leaves light lacing down the sides.

The smell is out of this world. Fresh hops, when moderately used, are a delight. Delicious floral smells, accompanied by light apple and pear traces. beautiful crystal malt, with it's wonderful biscuit smell isn't hiding either.

This might be the perfect American beer. It's not super bitter like an IPA, however, it does have great hop taste. It's not unpleasant, and is truly fruity. The pale malt is perfectly balanced and really lets the hop flavor shine through and just... resonate with so many tones on your tongue.

I Boulevard comes out with fresh hop ales more frequently.
Dec 06, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by poodog from Kansas

Oct 24, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by t0rin0 from California

Aug 26, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by sorvats from California

Aug 20, 2012
Photo of bmwats
Reviewed by bmwats from Louisiana

3.95/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a footed glass.

A: Cloudy, dark golden hue. Pours about a 1 finger, foamy, white head. Settles fairly slowly, but leaves plenty of foam on the surface, and a substantial beer ring. Some nice beer ring lacing.

S: Butterscotch, and buttery malt with a little basil.

T: Flavor is of full flavored and hearty, but subtle malt tones with a dull biting hop.

M: Full body and heavy for the style. A lightly indistinct sweetness in the front finishes with a sharp bite that lingers on the palette throughout.

D: The sharpness dictates a slow and savory experience.

Atmosphere is good. Nice hue with a sizable head and some nice lacing. Nose is buttery and malty with a bit of Mediterranean spice. Flavor is hearty and very hoppy. Overall, this is a really good quaff.
Jul 23, 2012
Photo of trxxpaxxs
Reviewed by trxxpaxxs from New York

3.58/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Massive thanks to SliverX for sharing this bottle with me. It completes my Boulevard Smokestack series reviews (for the time being)...

A: Pours a nice translucent amber with about 2 full fingers of light beige head that takes forever to settle. There is some lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is packed full of citrus, grapes, and light malt. There is also a good amount of yeasty goodness.

T: The taster pretty much follows the nose. It starts out sweet with grapes and citrus. The bitter show up as it moves to the finish. There is a bit of herbal tea and grapefruit in the back end.

M: Medium bodied beer. It's sweet, followed by bitters, and nothing really lingers. It's nice.

O: This is a solid beer, even for it's age. It's a bit old (2 years) bit it is still really drinkable. I don't think the grape notes were intended when it was fresh, but it's actually pretty pleasant at this point in it's life. I'm glad to have tried it.
Jul 14, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by sammo from Kansas

Jun 28, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by BeerHunter76 from Texas

Jun 20, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by TonyT013 from Texas

May 25, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by abrethanson from California

Apr 13, 2012
21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 113 ratings