Point It! Pale Ale
Wildlife Brewing & Pizza

a pretty old school and sturdy pale ale here, well made and full flavored, i have been impressed with these guys so far, all the beer has been good, if a little safe in some instances. this has some copper color to it for a pale ale, malty looking for what it is, but a good head from the tap. aroma here is a bit sweet, toasted, and rich for an american pale ale, but its also got plenty of hops on it, spicy and woodsy and bitter, big on big here, cascade and centennial type there, maybe something noble, its grassy and dried and almost peppery to me before its bitter. if you told me this was a hoppy amber, i might like it better, but as a pale ale, even an old school one, its mighty malty, and the richness of the grain becomes a lot as this warms. i also think the hops could be more dynamic, a little basic here, more bitter than anything else, and with a very old school flavor profile. i like it, but it doesnt scratch my pale ale itch, and was a little filling with my meal. still a well made beer, but maybe my least favorite from these guys so far.

 

Poured a clear, bronze color with a thick, one-finger head of tan foam. Grassy aroma with citrus notes. There were caramel aromas present, too. Nice bitter hops with a citrus taste. A good burnt toast maltiness balances it out. It was crisp and sharp with a dry finish

 

 

 

 

 

Served on-tap in a Shaker Pint at The Local (Jackson Hole, WY).

A: Hazy honey-gold with amber hints with 1/2-finger off-white head with decent retention and a thick band or two of lacing on the top half of the glass.

S: Floral is the strongest hops feature with some softer pine and orange and grapefruit citrus thrown in as well. Maltiness is pretty stout with crackery, bready aromas. Hint of alcohol and a few fruity esters.

T: The floral and fruity nature of the aroma carries through in the flavor, although the mild-medium esters and higher than average alcohol presence hold this beer back. Floral without being quite soapy flavor is most prominent with orange and grapefruit citrus chiming in along with a honeysuckle herbal component. Maltiness is bready and crackery with a light grainy edge. I think the flavor is slightly above average, but the esters and alcohol presence hurt this beer -- it covers the subtle flavors that might come forward without them. Bitterness is light-medium.

M: Decent rounded feel with moderate carbonation and medium body.

O: I liked this local brew but wish they would cut the alcohol presence back by about a percent and lower their fermentation temps to cut the mild but evident alcohol presence. An APA is not about alcohol -- it is about balance with the edge going to hops but with a close race. Alcohol and fruity esters intercede -- I think a little more attention to a few details will help this beer along as it has a good base.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at the brewpub/pizza parlor in Victor.

A: Deep, cloudy copper with no head and low visible carbonation.

S: A mix of breadiness and saltiness. The hop presence is surprisingly low, and aromatically this brew seems to fit more in the English tradition of pale ales.

T: There's a light hop/bitter start and finish with a strong bready presence in the middle. There are hints of cherry, soap (odd, but acceptable as its not too pronounced) and grass. I would have like a stronger hop finish and, American and hoppy as I am, a more pronounced citrus/pine flavor.

M: Medium-bodied with a slightly coarse texture.

D: Low for an APA. The lack of hops takes away from this brew's ability to be refreshing on a late summer afternoon.

Take a pass on this one.