Hargreaves Hill Pale | Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company
Australia
hargreaveshill.com.au
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.90%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by jarmby1711 on 08-01-2005
Ratings: 33 | Reviews: 26
Reviews by the Alström Bros:
None found.
More User Reviews:
3.57/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I'm pretty sure this should be listed as an English Pale.
Small head shows little persistence. Slightly hazy amber/pale copper.
Aroma is quite an eclectic mix of hops - sharp green grassy and spicy notes, grapefruit, orange blossom. A hint of clean malt underneath.
Very English flavours, lots of clean slightly sweet malt with a significant green hoppy taste and pronounced bitterness, finishing quite dry.
A bit too much carbonation.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I'm pretty sure this should be listed as an English Pale.
Small head shows little persistence. Slightly hazy amber/pale copper.
Aroma is quite an eclectic mix of hops - sharp green grassy and spicy notes, grapefruit, orange blossom. A hint of clean malt underneath.
Very English flavours, lots of clean slightly sweet malt with a significant green hoppy taste and pronounced bitterness, finishing quite dry.
A bit too much carbonation.
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4.31/5 rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Aussies... Well, I'll never understand them. This is an APA and not an EPA? At least, today and on this site. I'm reviewing as an EPA 'cause it scores better - and for a good reason.
Looks pale with low head. What's really cool about it is that a full 15 minutes after pouring it I still have completely covering head. Maybe only 1 mm or 2, but hey, it's there. Awesome.
Smells a little buttery. Oh! English yeasties!
Tastes sweet, a little bitter. Big and full in the mouth. Diacetyl up the yin-yang => very English, very to style, very good. Smooth. Easy. I'd drink it every day!
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Aussies... Well, I'll never understand them. This is an APA and not an EPA? At least, today and on this site. I'm reviewing as an EPA 'cause it scores better - and for a good reason.
Looks pale with low head. What's really cool about it is that a full 15 minutes after pouring it I still have completely covering head. Maybe only 1 mm or 2, but hey, it's there. Awesome.
Smells a little buttery. Oh! English yeasties!
Tastes sweet, a little bitter. Big and full in the mouth. Diacetyl up the yin-yang => very English, very to style, very good. Smooth. Easy. I'd drink it every day!
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3.92/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours cloudy, amber, with an average sized long lasting head, good lacing. Very aromatic with grapefruit and lychees dominant. Taste moderately bitter with ground coriander as warms up. Quite a short finish though. Pleasant creamy mouthfeel, with a good level of carbonation. Very very drinkable.
I also drank this alongside Little Creatures for a direct comparison. Similar style, although HH is cloudy and LC is clear. Creatures seems to have more going on in taste and a longer finish, but Hargreaves is much more aromatic. I prefer the less strongly carbonated mouthfeel. I'd hate to chose between them, but if Little Creatures has been the Australian benchmark then Hargreaves Hill is up there as one of Australia's top brews.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours cloudy, amber, with an average sized long lasting head, good lacing. Very aromatic with grapefruit and lychees dominant. Taste moderately bitter with ground coriander as warms up. Quite a short finish though. Pleasant creamy mouthfeel, with a good level of carbonation. Very very drinkable.
I also drank this alongside Little Creatures for a direct comparison. Similar style, although HH is cloudy and LC is clear. Creatures seems to have more going on in taste and a longer finish, but Hargreaves is much more aromatic. I prefer the less strongly carbonated mouthfeel. I'd hate to chose between them, but if Little Creatures has been the Australian benchmark then Hargreaves Hill is up there as one of Australia's top brews.
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3.55/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This pours a burnt golden colour with a slightly off white head with reasonable retention.
The nose is of fruity esthers and biscuity toasted malts.
These continue on the palate.
The mouthfeel is good with some nice bitterness towards the end.
A reasonable pale ale.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This pours a burnt golden colour with a slightly off white head with reasonable retention.
The nose is of fruity esthers and biscuity toasted malts.
These continue on the palate.
The mouthfeel is good with some nice bitterness towards the end.
A reasonable pale ale.
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3.45/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Good colour and head retention. Promising. Nose is quite pleasant with a bit of grapefruit and some malty undertones. Drinks fine with firm bitterness and good carbonation. Actual flaour is a bit thin though. Finish is short but pleasant. Nothing to get excited about but nothing bad. I might not seek it out but I'd definitely drink again if available.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Good colour and head retention. Promising. Nose is quite pleasant with a bit of grapefruit and some malty undertones. Drinks fine with firm bitterness and good carbonation. Actual flaour is a bit thin though. Finish is short but pleasant. Nothing to get excited about but nothing bad. I might not seek it out but I'd definitely drink again if available.
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3.69/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a hazy copper color with a huge head that fades slowly to lots of lacing.
S: Aroma of citrus, with a bit of pine, some malt sweetness and grain.
T: Taste has a nice citrus bite with some caramel sweetness and a bit of grain and spice.
F: Medium body, crisp and refreshing. Nice balance.
O: Enjoyable beer that goes down quite easy. Worth a try.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a hazy copper color with a huge head that fades slowly to lots of lacing.
S: Aroma of citrus, with a bit of pine, some malt sweetness and grain.
T: Taste has a nice citrus bite with some caramel sweetness and a bit of grain and spice.
F: Medium body, crisp and refreshing. Nice balance.
O: Enjoyable beer that goes down quite easy. Worth a try.
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3.05/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Its got to be an EPA...no way you could convince me that fruity taste is APA. Maybe the aroma, just barely could be APA like.
Anyway. Presents well and delivery good head on first pour into glass. Disapates quickly with considerable lacing remaining. Sediment enduced hazy dull gold colour. Looks as one would expect for a non filtered bottle conditioned ale.Smells of hop resin and some citrus. Enough bite to entice a big taste...
Definitely caramelly and biscuit mix in taste. Hop flavour and bitterness compliments and pushes forth for another sip. Fruity tones (cant pick a specific) make it rounded in the mouth. Aftertaste is pleasant and lingering.
Given it swings between styles a bit, its overall score is higher because its a bloody tasty beer.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Its got to be an EPA...no way you could convince me that fruity taste is APA. Maybe the aroma, just barely could be APA like.
Anyway. Presents well and delivery good head on first pour into glass. Disapates quickly with considerable lacing remaining. Sediment enduced hazy dull gold colour. Looks as one would expect for a non filtered bottle conditioned ale.Smells of hop resin and some citrus. Enough bite to entice a big taste...
Definitely caramelly and biscuit mix in taste. Hop flavour and bitterness compliments and pushes forth for another sip. Fruity tones (cant pick a specific) make it rounded in the mouth. Aftertaste is pleasant and lingering.
Given it swings between styles a bit, its overall score is higher because its a bloody tasty beer.
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4.03/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
When it comes to drinking this beer I feel like I could do it as a full time proffession, I would like to be the Gary Ablett Jnr of drinking this beer, pure class in its consumption.
Unfortunately I am trapped into providing just a glowing review to this cracking APA from the Yarra Valley, which is known more for its wine than its great ales.
A Golden look with hit amber to its appearance, it gives off a highly infectious sweet aroma of honey and a just hint of ripened peaches.
A medium body that helped by a lighter carbonation, the front palate is met with a some strong nectar/honey like flavours easing into some crisp bitterness while maintaining a presence of stone fruit to it.
No diggity this beer has it going on, not long term drinker probably move onto something else once you get 3 to 4 beer in, but it is very easy to enjoy, I highly endorse giving this a shot!
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
When it comes to drinking this beer I feel like I could do it as a full time proffession, I would like to be the Gary Ablett Jnr of drinking this beer, pure class in its consumption.
Unfortunately I am trapped into providing just a glowing review to this cracking APA from the Yarra Valley, which is known more for its wine than its great ales.
A Golden look with hit amber to its appearance, it gives off a highly infectious sweet aroma of honey and a just hint of ripened peaches.
A medium body that helped by a lighter carbonation, the front palate is met with a some strong nectar/honey like flavours easing into some crisp bitterness while maintaining a presence of stone fruit to it.
No diggity this beer has it going on, not long term drinker probably move onto something else once you get 3 to 4 beer in, but it is very easy to enjoy, I highly endorse giving this a shot!
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3.88/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy orange in colour with a small fluffy white head that persists.
Pleasantly fruit aromas (a lot of pineapple) that feel a little underpowered. A little bit of light toasty malt as well. Very nice, just lacking.
Strong fruit hop flavours and really biscuit malt character on the finish. Like eating an Arnotts arrowroot biscuit.
Great creamy body with a clean finish. Light bitterness, not overly present. Very well balanced.
I would say more English than American in style(perhaps), but a good brew. Would be eager to try on tap. Feels like a grower and a potentially very good session beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy orange in colour with a small fluffy white head that persists.
Pleasantly fruit aromas (a lot of pineapple) that feel a little underpowered. A little bit of light toasty malt as well. Very nice, just lacking.
Strong fruit hop flavours and really biscuit malt character on the finish. Like eating an Arnotts arrowroot biscuit.
Great creamy body with a clean finish. Light bitterness, not overly present. Very well balanced.
I would say more English than American in style(perhaps), but a good brew. Would be eager to try on tap. Feels like a grower and a potentially very good session beer.
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2.96/5 rDev -19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
a: hazy gold color, little head to speak of
s: not much smell to quaff
t: first few drinks were good with decent balance of malt & hops, but successive drinks seemed to lose that quality. no real bitterness
m: moderate body and carbonation that seem to dissipate with the taste. light feel
d: very drinkable for a few drinks, but not much after that
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
a: hazy gold color, little head to speak of
s: not much smell to quaff
t: first few drinks were good with decent balance of malt & hops, but successive drinks seemed to lose that quality. no real bitterness
m: moderate body and carbonation that seem to dissipate with the taste. light feel
d: very drinkable for a few drinks, but not much after that
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4.08/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
ml bottle poured into pint glass 20/3/14
A golden orange with tiny suspended particles and a sediment swirl for a minute or two before it settles, a finger of foam quickly falls to a thin film but manages to leave a fair amount of lace
S pine, spruce, grapefruit peel, some bready malt, slightly floral and spicy, not bad at all
T some lemon and orange rind, more spicy hops then the nose, less bready notes, lots of citrus, quite tasty, flavours strong
M medium bodied, creams up in no time, very gritty, sandpaper almost but I like it, citrus and spruce with a little spice stick to your mouth
O I thought this one great start to finish and like many beers I'm trying down under I'm surprised it doesn't get more love
Only a month after bottling I'm happy to get a fresh crack on this hopped up pale, lots of flavour for under 5% I'm sure I could session this for a while
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
ml bottle poured into pint glass 20/3/14
A golden orange with tiny suspended particles and a sediment swirl for a minute or two before it settles, a finger of foam quickly falls to a thin film but manages to leave a fair amount of lace
S pine, spruce, grapefruit peel, some bready malt, slightly floral and spicy, not bad at all
T some lemon and orange rind, more spicy hops then the nose, less bready notes, lots of citrus, quite tasty, flavours strong
M medium bodied, creams up in no time, very gritty, sandpaper almost but I like it, citrus and spruce with a little spice stick to your mouth
O I thought this one great start to finish and like many beers I'm trying down under I'm surprised it doesn't get more love
Only a month after bottling I'm happy to get a fresh crack on this hopped up pale, lots of flavour for under 5% I'm sure I could session this for a while
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3.58/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Tried on tap at The Royston.
Slightly cloudy orange gold colour. Looks nice. Head is minimal, but what is there is solid. Good lacing
There's just a slight hint of diacetyl on the nose, but the hops drive through with a sharp fruitiness, leaving it just a bad memory. Still, it's a bit weak, but reasonably pleasant.
Taste is also quite reasonable. Quite sweet, and surprisingly un-hoppy. There's a residual bitterness, and it's pretty clean on the palate. Mouthfeel is excellent, very smooth and with a good amount of body.
Pretty nice overall, very enjoyable.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Tried on tap at The Royston.
Slightly cloudy orange gold colour. Looks nice. Head is minimal, but what is there is solid. Good lacing
There's just a slight hint of diacetyl on the nose, but the hops drive through with a sharp fruitiness, leaving it just a bad memory. Still, it's a bit weak, but reasonably pleasant.
Taste is also quite reasonable. Quite sweet, and surprisingly un-hoppy. There's a residual bitterness, and it's pretty clean on the palate. Mouthfeel is excellent, very smooth and with a good amount of body.
Pretty nice overall, very enjoyable.
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2.74/5 rDev -25.7%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
smells like barf. not inviting.
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look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
smells like barf. not inviting.
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3.35/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
330 mL bottle poured into a schooner glass.
A - deep amber colour colour with thin (2mm) white head that dropped to fine lacing.
S - Malty but not very strong.
T - medium to strong malt tastes, not very hoppy, slightly bitter
M - smooth but slightly bitter and bubbly
D - Nice and smooth, easy to drink, not as hoppy as other Australian/American Pale Ales i've had recently. Could definately drink again.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
330 mL bottle poured into a schooner glass.
A - deep amber colour colour with thin (2mm) white head that dropped to fine lacing.
S - Malty but not very strong.
T - medium to strong malt tastes, not very hoppy, slightly bitter
M - smooth but slightly bitter and bubbly
D - Nice and smooth, easy to drink, not as hoppy as other Australian/American Pale Ales i've had recently. Could definately drink again.
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4/5 rDev +8.4%
A rather tasty beer. I like their selection of hops. There is a citrus flavor, but not overwhelming and not much grapefruit. There is a good balance between the hops and malt.
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A rather tasty beer. I like their selection of hops. There is a citrus flavor, but not overwhelming and not much grapefruit. There is a good balance between the hops and malt.
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3.91/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Huge soapy white head, over a orange amber body alive with a column of rising bubbles rushing through the guts, brilliant bubble bath lacing.
S - Wheat, yeast, peach and lemon.
T - Earthy mild hops, orange and mandarin with a light bitter bite.
M - Juicy medium body, moderate carbonation.
O - Great session beer. One of the better APAs around.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Huge soapy white head, over a orange amber body alive with a column of rising bubbles rushing through the guts, brilliant bubble bath lacing.
S - Wheat, yeast, peach and lemon.
T - Earthy mild hops, orange and mandarin with a light bitter bite.
M - Juicy medium body, moderate carbonation.
O - Great session beer. One of the better APAs around.
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3.83/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This beer pours a pale copper hue with very nice carbonation that leaves a two finger frothy head with heaps of lacing,it has aromas of honey,malted coated hops,it has an above average mouthfeel with a creamy malty start which is beautifully balanced out with a subtle hop finish but not bitter and definately not sweet by any means such a nicely balanced out beer and could easily drink more than one of these.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This beer pours a pale copper hue with very nice carbonation that leaves a two finger frothy head with heaps of lacing,it has aromas of honey,malted coated hops,it has an above average mouthfeel with a creamy malty start which is beautifully balanced out with a subtle hop finish but not bitter and definately not sweet by any means such a nicely balanced out beer and could easily drink more than one of these.
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4/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice copper colour. Clearish with full head on pour which subsides to a persistent, light covering.
Initial smell has distict hop presense. I get cascade in the nose but it might be something american. Smells clean if one could be so bold.
Taste provides a solid but smooth bitterness along with the good hop flavour. The bitterness lasts throughout. Flavour profile is very clean. Light to medium in mouthfeel with a beautiful level of carbonation.
Overall, a great representation of the style and at 4.9%, a dead-set quaffer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice copper colour. Clearish with full head on pour which subsides to a persistent, light covering.
Initial smell has distict hop presense. I get cascade in the nose but it might be something american. Smells clean if one could be so bold.
Taste provides a solid but smooth bitterness along with the good hop flavour. The bitterness lasts throughout. Flavour profile is very clean. Light to medium in mouthfeel with a beautiful level of carbonation.
Overall, a great representation of the style and at 4.9%, a dead-set quaffer.
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Hargreaves Hill Pale from Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company
Beer rating:
48.5% out of
100 with
33 ratings
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Certainly worth a try. Nice, easy drinking APA with a little malt and good fruit flavours. Could drink this all day and all night. One of those beers which id be confident to offer anybody looking for a decent cleansing ale. Give it a go, you won't regret it.
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