Firehouse American Pale Ale
The Firehouse Brewing Co.

Firehouse American Pale AleFirehouse American Pale Ale
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From:
The Firehouse Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
ABV:
Not listed
Score:
73
Avg:
3.08 | pDev: 19.48%
Reviews:
51
Ratings:
58
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 13, 2021
Added:
Jun 19, 2005
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by heath1agnew:
Photo of heath1agnew
Reviewed by heath1agnew from Texas

2.68/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
appearance- poured a deep amber color with a one finger head that eventually settles down to a film. minimal lacing can be seen.

smell- picking up some hopes and almost some burnt smells.

taste- hops and a burnt and bitter aftertaste.

mouthfeel- maybe a bit watery with right amount of carbonation i suppose.

drinkability- i really don't think i could have too much of this in one sitting.

over all this brew is just ok and nothing else.
Dec 15, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.74 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Oct 13, 2021
 
Rated: 3.25 by EddieJoe from Illinois

Nov 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by DocJitsu from Florida

Jul 16, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by jt6174 from California

Feb 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by likeemdark from California

Jan 27, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by Stoffel from Texas

Jan 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Rempo from Indiana

Nov 20, 2011
Photo of grandma
Reviewed by grandma from California

1.88/5  rDev -39%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 1
What a terrible beer.

Appearence...slight haze (no big deal) but the color is way off. looks like an amber.

Smell...where's the hops? Toffee, cardboard, and some DMS.

Taste...just as bad as the smell.

Mouthfeel...nice, full body

Overall...crap. Get with it Chris Finch. you kook.
Mar 31, 2011
Photo of rarbring
Reviewed by rarbring from Sweden

3.83/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer is hazy amber, has an off-white high head that leaves good lacing.

The smell has some toffee, citric notes, and pine.

Upfront caramel, bread, then grape-fruit, grass and lemon zest.

Medium high carbonation, slightly spritzy, a dry finish.

A nice one, felt almost IPA:ish.
Mar 25, 2011
Photo of armock
Reviewed by armock from New York

3.5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Poured a copper color with a tan head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of sweet caramel malt with some light hops

T - Follows the nose sweet caramel malt with some hops

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - Overall this isn't a bad pale but there's not much separating it from most other average pales its still drinkable and worth a shot if you see it
Oct 10, 2010
Photo of srandycarter
Reviewed by srandycarter from California

3.51/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Pretty copper, tons of head, tons of lace. Retention is good.

S - Light sweet malt. Bitter is in the back seat of the light car.

T - Malty. Nice. Average to above average mix of malt and bitter.

M - Medium body, good carb, fair coating and balance.

D - Drinkable enough!
Jul 26, 2010
Photo of garymuchow
Reviewed by garymuchow from Minnesota

3.41/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not sure how this ended up in MN and by the date of the previous review it may be old too. Is that fair? I dunno', but maybe it shouldn't be out and about if it wasn't meant to be drank (I know it's not always the brewers fault what distributors do).
More malt forward, but also some oxidation (a little cardboard). Mild hop with more of a grassy quality.
Attractive amber with orange and red. Smaller head that settles to a reasonably dense small cap. Off-white to tan.
Again with the forward malt and mild hop flavors. This is more of an amber than APA. However, the malt flavors are pretty good. Nice toastiness with a touch of sweetness, mild fruit. Hops are subdued in both flavor and bitterness. Noticeable dryness. A faint bit of oxidation.
Fine carbonation that enhances smoothness of a moderate body.
This is a drinkable beer. I would have liked to had it fresher. Much better than the wheat beer I had previously.
Jul 01, 2010
Photo of cavedave
Reviewed by cavedave from New York

3.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Thanks to Maltzilla for this extra

It pours a cloudy amber topped by a fleeting head of beige. Not much lace, and in minutes the head of the beer has vanished.

Light aroma of oranges, light yeast tang, and a sweet breadiness.

Taste is a medium flavor of orange, neutral sweet, and an herbosity that isn't bitter, nor vegetal, sort of like ganja, beneath it. The finish is semi-juicy, the orange of it grabbing some bitter.

Mouthfeel is a bit thick for an APA, med. carb., and the finish is not as clean as possible. For style, this beer takes a hit.

Drinkability is not that great. Too thick in the mouth, not interesting nor complex, and the flavors aren't very tasty.

Impression: Won't be getting this again, and not because it doesn't come to NY
Apr 08, 2010
Photo of Kegatron
Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap @ South Beach Bar & Grill (San Diego, CA) on 3/22/10. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a clear copper, with a ½ finger of smooth off-white head. This maintains its size with a decent foamy richness to both the retention and lacing. The aroma is lightly is lightly floral and citric smelling, with a bit of a backing tang from the bread and caramel flavors of the malts.

The taste has some light feeling hop bitterness to it, with fresh feeling citrus in the background and a flush of breaded caramel across the rear. Touch of lingering dry spiciness works the finish of this. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a nice crispness to it that also stays smooth in the mouth. This has an acceptable quenching feel to it.

Decent look and drinkibility here but the flavors were pretty muted and light. Not exactly what I would call full-flavored. This was my first offering from Firehouse and it doesn't really make me want to rush out and try anything else from them. At least it paired up decently with my plate of world class fish tacos from the restaurant.
Apr 02, 2010
Photo of traviserickson
Reviewed by traviserickson from Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A- head falls apart like with a quick swiss cheese appearance in less than 20 sec. Translucent with weak lacing

S- yeasty but and weak

T- malty, not very pale. Biscuity and watery.

M- carbonation leaves quickly and you can only taste malt and water.

D- yep, the dollar beer has spoken loud and clear.
Dec 01, 2009
Photo of Soilworker
Reviewed by Soilworker from Idaho

3.2/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Cloudy amber red with a white creamy head.

Smell: Strong ripe fruitiness with a prominent backing of floral hops and slight fruitiness. Significant malty biscuit aromas come through.

Taste: Predominately bitter and malty. There are hints of biscuit and baked bread that are apparent and the floral hops only slightly offset this. not quite what I would expect with an APA.

Mouthfeel: Very nice! Pleasant carbonation and moderate to full body.

Drinkability: Not a terrible beer. It is definetely worth a try if you see it for sale. I wouldn't buy a six pack of it but a single in a sampler is well worth it.
Nov 18, 2009
Photo of CRichardsMN
Reviewed by CRichardsMN from Minnesota

3.18/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance:
Partly cloud dark amber with a creamy off-white head. After the head falls, there is a swampy looking film over the whole surface which leaves a sparse lacing. Head bounces back a little after each sip.

Smell:
Moderate slightly sweet and tart citrus hops.

Taste:
Decent flavor of sweet caramel and malts and good bite of hops. Finishes fairly tartly and bitter, not overwhelming and well balanced.

Mouthfeel:
Mildly carbonated and full bodied.

Drinkability:
Full of flavor with nice body but finishes clean and crisp. Not typically a favorite style (PA, EPA or IPA) but I like this one.

Comment:
Maybe I've been away from beers with any hint of hops for too long but this one really woke up the taste buds. Welcome back.
Oct 28, 2009
Photo of jeremyd365
Reviewed by jeremyd365 from Michigan

4/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a pretty, dark amber with a good amount of carbonation and a nice later of off-white head. A great floral scent. It's got a solid medium body and the flavor is a delicious hoppiness. It lingers afterward in a pleasant hoppy maltiness. Overall, a pretty drinkable brew.
Sep 05, 2009
Photo of civilizedpsycho
Reviewed by civilizedpsycho from Michigan

3.58/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured bottle into pint glass.

Appearance: A pretty dark, amber color that is semi-transparent, but not cloudy. Had a good 1-finger head, that lasted for a little while.

Smell: A fair hop aroma with a hint of sweet fruit lingering in the background.

Taste: I found no bit of the fruity smell in the taste. I thought it was fairly bitter all the way through, but finishes very smooth.

Mouthfeel: I was surprised that it had a fairly full body. I was expecting it to be pretty thin, but it actually has some texture to it.

Drinkability: I liked this beer. It's not my favorite thing ever, but I feel it's very worthy of a try. I could see myself getting this again.
Aug 25, 2009
Firehouse American Pale Ale from The Firehouse Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 73 out of 100 with 58 ratings