Reef Donkey
Tampa Bay Brewing Co.

Reef DonkeyReef Donkey
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From:
Tampa Bay Brewing Co.
 
Florida, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
Ranked #410
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
88
Ranked #14,008
Avg:
3.93 | pDev: 9.67%
Reviews:
78
Ratings:
417
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 13, 2024
Added:
Jun 26, 2014
Wants:
  15
Gots:
  139
Dry-hopped American pale ale that drinks like a session IPA. Motueka, Equinot, and Citra give this beer a lemon/lime aroma with a citrus/tropical fruit flavor. Reef Donkey is slang for the popular Florida game fish, Amberjack, which inhabit our coastal wrecks and reefs.

36 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by kbrown:
Photo of kbrown
Rated by kbrown from Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Nov 21, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.88 by tpauer from New Hampshire

Jan 13, 2024
 
Rated: 4.34 by bubseymour from Maryland

Oct 17, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Zanico from Ohio

Oct 10, 2023
Photo of GrumpyGas
Reviewed by GrumpyGas from Illinois

3.94/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can dated 07/05/23 poured into a pint glass shows a clear, yellow-gold body with active bubbles rising to a persistent cap of tight white bubbles leaving copious lacing from top to bottom.

Aroma of grapefruit, mango and pine that develops better in the flavor.

Mouthfeel is clean and drying.

Overall an easy drinking, hoppy APA.
Sep 09, 2023
Photo of Spike
Reviewed by Spike from England

3.37/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
On draught at Dilido Beach Club, South Beach, FL. A dry, west coast style APA. Delivers marmalade and overripe pineapple upfront with a heft of resin following quickly behind. For 5.5%, this is a rich (definitely not crisp) and hot brew courtesy of its dry hopping. Almost works in the humidity but the hop burn diminishes refreshment. I reckon this would drink better in cooler climes.
Jun 18, 2023
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Built to beat the summer heat of Central Florida, Tampa Bay Brewing brings a local fare to area hop heads with a pale ale that offers as much refreshment and temperament as it does flavor.

Pouring golden-copper and shedding a mild haze and a foamy cotton froth. As its aromas of citrus and tropical fruit gravitate toward the nose, a lightly toasty backdrop carries into a pleasant herbal perfume with Motueka, Equinot and Citra hops. Mild and moderately sweet, the early impression of bread crust, light caramel and nuttiness is suggestive of granola on the palate.

The hops rise once the ale rolls onto the middle palate and provide a balance to the gradual fading malts. Juicy flavors of orange and lemon link up with lighter tropical notes of pineapple and mango for a juicy character. Trending grapefruit-like, the late taste shows a growing bitterness of fresh grass clippings, fresh spruce and lemongrass in a slightly more bitter than sweet finish.

Medium bodied and trending lighter and drier, the ale finishes on the bitter side of bittersweet, its an all-purpose pale ale that's welcomed in the glass of any lover of hops.
May 10, 2023
 
Rated: 3.9 by cgrunin from Texas

Apr 17, 2023
Photo of MadMadMike
Reviewed by MadMadMike from France

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Tap hit at Mellow Mushroom in Ft. Myers, FL.
Served cold in a pint glass, nice lil foam says hello and leaves.
Aroma of Florida citrus and hops.
Taste follows the nose with lime and pink grapefruit, balanced hop note. Crisp and easy drinking.
Light mouthfeel and medium carb.
Overall, a nice session ale or a good meal wash.
Drink Local!
Apr 12, 2023
 
Rated: 3.9 by beaulabauve from Louisiana

Mar 30, 2023
Photo of snaotheus
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Perfectly acceptable pale ale. On tap at a pretzel place in Busch Garden.

2024-01-27
Now having it from a 16oz can, dated 09/05/23. @Mr3DPHD sent it to me. I don't feel the need to change scores. Hoppier than I remember, pretty well balanced, lots of citrus and biscuit. Not bad.
Feb 23, 2023
Photo of hman43
Reviewed by hman43 from North Carolina

3.86/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look: It pours golden and quite clear. It has a white puffy head and head retention is very good.

Smell: There are grapefruit and citrus aromas with some lime. It also has some subtle tropical notes.

Taste: There are lime notes with citrus up front. There are tropical notes in the background with a bit of a flowery element. There are some lemon touches.

Feel: It has a medium body and the bitterness is pleasant.

Overall, a nice easy drinking beer.
Feb 11, 2023
 
Rated: 3.84 by loganburgh from Michigan

Jan 27, 2023
 
Rated: 3.88 by travelguy from Ohio

Jan 26, 2023
Photo of Gatch
Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at a waterfront restaurant in Tampa. This was better than expected. A properly clean and crisp APA, almost West Coast style. Very tasty and pairs well with most food.
Dec 08, 2022
 
Rated: 3.69 by Rainintheface from Florida

Oct 14, 2022
 
Rated: 4.64 by Dougj113

May 27, 2022
Photo of nick_perry
Rated by nick_perry from North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Motueka hop really comes out: hoppy with tropical fruit, white fruit, and lime zest notes. Crisp acidity.
Apr 17, 2022
Photo of davidward
Rated by davidward from Florida

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This has to be one of most flavorful APAs I’ve ever had. Nicely done TBBC!
Apr 16, 2022
 
Rated: 3.64 by Chilmer from Iowa

Mar 18, 2022
Reef Donkey from Tampa Bay Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 417 ratings