Freshchester Pale Ale | Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
New York, United States
captainlawrencebrewing.com
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.60%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Billolick on 02-12-2006
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 157 | Ratings: 592
4.6/5 rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This is one of my favorite pale ales and it is often overlooked from among other pale ales as well as other captain lawrence offerings (especially the Liquid Gold). I think this is their best beer and very drinkable any time of day or any season. Very good hops character without being too overhwhelming. And at 5.6% ABV, very sessionable. Ask your local beer bar to provide this beer.
★ 385 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This is one of my favorite pale ales and it is often overlooked from among other pale ales as well as other captain lawrence offerings (especially the Liquid Gold). I think this is their best beer and very drinkable any time of day or any season. Very good hops character without being too overhwhelming. And at 5.6% ABV, very sessionable. Ask your local beer bar to provide this beer.
★ 385 characters
4.57/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Appearance: clear orange in color with a nice two finger head that lingers awhile. Thick lacing paints the glass.
Smell: floral and piney bitterness along with some orange citrus is bold an easy to detect.
Taste: pine, oranges, lemon zest, and caramel candy sweetness make up a very well balanced and impressive pale ale.
Mouthfeel: lightly crisp at the start and finish with a bit of dryness at the end. Short aftertaste is dominates by the pleasant bitterness. Medium bodied.
Drinkability: since this was a newly tapped keg, the freshness and simple flavors were exciting for the tastebuds. This is a great session pale ale.
★ 640 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Appearance: clear orange in color with a nice two finger head that lingers awhile. Thick lacing paints the glass.
Smell: floral and piney bitterness along with some orange citrus is bold an easy to detect.
Taste: pine, oranges, lemon zest, and caramel candy sweetness make up a very well balanced and impressive pale ale.
Mouthfeel: lightly crisp at the start and finish with a bit of dryness at the end. Short aftertaste is dominates by the pleasant bitterness. Medium bodied.
Drinkability: since this was a newly tapped keg, the freshness and simple flavors were exciting for the tastebuds. This is a great session pale ale.
★ 640 characters
4.52/5 rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Picked up a growler fresh from the brewery.
This pale ale pours a amberish-gold, with a thin frothy white head.
There is a strong smell of hops on the nose, with sweet and subtle cirtus scents lingering.
Fresh Chester Pale Ale is bitter on the entrance and very smooth and slightly sweet with great citrus tastes on the finish. It is hoppy yet not overly bitter, which makes it easy to sit and drink a bunch of this beer, without tiring of the taste or the bitterness.
A great beer from an upstart brewery. I highly recommend visiting for a taste of what they are brewing
★ 580 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Picked up a growler fresh from the brewery.
This pale ale pours a amberish-gold, with a thin frothy white head.
There is a strong smell of hops on the nose, with sweet and subtle cirtus scents lingering.
Fresh Chester Pale Ale is bitter on the entrance and very smooth and slightly sweet with great citrus tastes on the finish. It is hoppy yet not overly bitter, which makes it easy to sit and drink a bunch of this beer, without tiring of the taste or the bitterness.
A great beer from an upstart brewery. I highly recommend visiting for a taste of what they are brewing
★ 580 characters
4.5/5 rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Growler filled and enjoyed on the same day.
2 finger head with lots of lacing. piney and citrusy in the nose. strong hop presence. kind of flirts with the line between IPA & DIPA. not much sweetness. crisp clean, and a little creamy. medium-high carbonation. highly drinkable, a really good beer.
★ 296 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Growler filled and enjoyed on the same day.
2 finger head with lots of lacing. piney and citrusy in the nose. strong hop presence. kind of flirts with the line between IPA & DIPA. not much sweetness. crisp clean, and a little creamy. medium-high carbonation. highly drinkable, a really good beer.
★ 296 characters
4.5/5 rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
On tap at the Stag's Head in Manhattan. Served in a pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a hazy yellow orange. Bartender left no head, just a lasting foam around the surface of the beer. Big rings and walls of lacing form all over the glass, but disappear by the end of the beer.
Smell: Fresh bread and a bit of orange citrus hops. Faint citric/piny hop aroma that almost smells soapy. On the whole the smell is fairly restrained, but good. Some beautiful whole grain bread aroma comes out after the beer warms.
Taste: Sweet, with a nice hop kick and big malt backbone, bready and a little toasty. Refreshing and spicy. There's just enough of everything going on here; that crisp, orange-y hop bite, that airy, malty breadiness that develops afterwards, and that nice clean finish. Just an excellently balanced pale ale. Wouldn't be too hard to argue for a perfect score for flavor.
Mouthfeel: Perfection for the style; medium bodied, but so smooth and creamy. This beer feels like it's coming from a cask, but it's not. Beautiful.
Drinkability: This is the kind of beer that you could spend hours in the pub throwing back. The definition of drinkability.
I haven't had enough of Captain Lawrence's beers, but the resounding impression I'm getting is: these guys know what they're doing. If I were a brewer, making a beer this fine would be a personal goal.
★ 1,357 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
On tap at the Stag's Head in Manhattan. Served in a pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a hazy yellow orange. Bartender left no head, just a lasting foam around the surface of the beer. Big rings and walls of lacing form all over the glass, but disappear by the end of the beer.
Smell: Fresh bread and a bit of orange citrus hops. Faint citric/piny hop aroma that almost smells soapy. On the whole the smell is fairly restrained, but good. Some beautiful whole grain bread aroma comes out after the beer warms.
Taste: Sweet, with a nice hop kick and big malt backbone, bready and a little toasty. Refreshing and spicy. There's just enough of everything going on here; that crisp, orange-y hop bite, that airy, malty breadiness that develops afterwards, and that nice clean finish. Just an excellently balanced pale ale. Wouldn't be too hard to argue for a perfect score for flavor.
Mouthfeel: Perfection for the style; medium bodied, but so smooth and creamy. This beer feels like it's coming from a cask, but it's not. Beautiful.
Drinkability: This is the kind of beer that you could spend hours in the pub throwing back. The definition of drinkability.
I haven't had enough of Captain Lawrence's beers, but the resounding impression I'm getting is: these guys know what they're doing. If I were a brewer, making a beer this fine would be a personal goal.
★ 1,357 characters
4.49/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This pale ale is amber in color, deep, bright and clear with a tan head fully two fingers tall. It's a tight and dense foamy cream, very strong, that fully sheets the glass for the first couple inches and follows with heavy lacing. This is one of the most beautiful beers I've seen.
The aromatic bouquet coming out of this beer is strong, presenting fresh and oily hops with juicy citrus and a blend of sweetness and zest accompanied by honeyed biscuits.
I'm hit by fresh grapefruit right up front on the tongue, and this is a flavorful and well-hopped beer. There's some depth, too, as some more nuances come out regularly. The flavor is tropical and citrus fruit-driven with good balance from malts.
This firmly medium-bodied pale ale is crisp, smooth, clean and almost creamy as carbonation rolls on the palate. It seems to hit the exact median between sweet and dry. A bit of mineral develops on the very end as it goes.
★ 930 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This pale ale is amber in color, deep, bright and clear with a tan head fully two fingers tall. It's a tight and dense foamy cream, very strong, that fully sheets the glass for the first couple inches and follows with heavy lacing. This is one of the most beautiful beers I've seen.
The aromatic bouquet coming out of this beer is strong, presenting fresh and oily hops with juicy citrus and a blend of sweetness and zest accompanied by honeyed biscuits.
I'm hit by fresh grapefruit right up front on the tongue, and this is a flavorful and well-hopped beer. There's some depth, too, as some more nuances come out regularly. The flavor is tropical and citrus fruit-driven with good balance from malts.
This firmly medium-bodied pale ale is crisp, smooth, clean and almost creamy as carbonation rolls on the palate. It seems to hit the exact median between sweet and dry. A bit of mineral develops on the very end as it goes.
★ 930 characters
4.47/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours a nice a clear amber-orange-yellow with a medium sized and medium bodied head that fades a little slowly and laces the glass all the way down.
S: Smells of sweet roasted malt, caramel malts, some nice bready aromas all mixed with a citrus-y and earthy hop aroma.
T: Very nice malt characteristic with caramel flavors, some nice toasted and roasted malt all mixed together with very good, well balanced citrus-y, earthy, and floral hop flavors to finish it off.
M: Very crisp, fresh, refreshing, perfect body weight, perfect carbonation.
D: Very drinkable, very sessionable. All the flavors were there and mixed very well.
★ 630 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours a nice a clear amber-orange-yellow with a medium sized and medium bodied head that fades a little slowly and laces the glass all the way down.
S: Smells of sweet roasted malt, caramel malts, some nice bready aromas all mixed with a citrus-y and earthy hop aroma.
T: Very nice malt characteristic with caramel flavors, some nice toasted and roasted malt all mixed together with very good, well balanced citrus-y, earthy, and floral hop flavors to finish it off.
M: Very crisp, fresh, refreshing, perfect body weight, perfect carbonation.
D: Very drinkable, very sessionable. All the flavors were there and mixed very well.
★ 630 characters
4.46/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Fresh from the brewery filled growler, it pours a golden amber with a creamy white head that clings in blotches on the pint glass. carbonation is moderate and steady and easily seen thru the clear beer. Perfect by style guidelines so it gets a 5 for lookin good.
Aroma is a great blend of woodsy/ citrus hop and soft caramel malt. Not really eye opening but also not cookie cutter cascade citrus and grapefruit found in so many Pales these days.
Balance is the key to this beers fresh, exceptional flavors - sweet bready malt up front with nutty undertones and a seemless transition into mild spruce and tangerine hop flavors. The malt balance is never lost, toasty grain and hop mingling in respectfull harmony. Fresh fresh fresh! Mellow, non tongue strangling bitter finish makes me reach for another swallow.
Mouthfeel is a bit thin but on point for the session beer its designed to be. More complex than your average / more well known Pale Ales.
★ 956 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Fresh from the brewery filled growler, it pours a golden amber with a creamy white head that clings in blotches on the pint glass. carbonation is moderate and steady and easily seen thru the clear beer. Perfect by style guidelines so it gets a 5 for lookin good.
Aroma is a great blend of woodsy/ citrus hop and soft caramel malt. Not really eye opening but also not cookie cutter cascade citrus and grapefruit found in so many Pales these days.
Balance is the key to this beers fresh, exceptional flavors - sweet bready malt up front with nutty undertones and a seemless transition into mild spruce and tangerine hop flavors. The malt balance is never lost, toasty grain and hop mingling in respectfull harmony. Fresh fresh fresh! Mellow, non tongue strangling bitter finish makes me reach for another swallow.
Mouthfeel is a bit thin but on point for the session beer its designed to be. More complex than your average / more well known Pale Ales.
★ 956 characters
4.45/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This beer was presented to me by my dear friend Paul. He was once a hippy, but has now relocated to South Salem. Don't ask. Nearby is the Captain Lawrence Brewery. Nearby is a good reason to live in South Salem.
The appearance is excellent. Good head. Good fizz. Good color. This beer sticks to the glass. Smell is fruity and refreshing. Has that apricot smell. May be one of the best tasting beers I've tasted. It's sweet, and refreshing once again. It's similar to the Magic Hat #9, which I also love, but this is far better. It's a lite beer that pairs with anything. I would gladly drink or order this in any situation.
I believe Paul needs to come over more often bearing growlers filled w/ this beer.
★ 709 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This beer was presented to me by my dear friend Paul. He was once a hippy, but has now relocated to South Salem. Don't ask. Nearby is the Captain Lawrence Brewery. Nearby is a good reason to live in South Salem.
The appearance is excellent. Good head. Good fizz. Good color. This beer sticks to the glass. Smell is fruity and refreshing. Has that apricot smell. May be one of the best tasting beers I've tasted. It's sweet, and refreshing once again. It's similar to the Magic Hat #9, which I also love, but this is far better. It's a lite beer that pairs with anything. I would gladly drink or order this in any situation.
I believe Paul needs to come over more often bearing growlers filled w/ this beer.
★ 709 characters
4.4/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.
Appearance: 3/4 inch head, high carbonation, orange-brown in color, clear
Smell: pale malt and citrus hops
Taste: citrus hops, grapefruit, caramel, and a granola taste
Mouthfeel: bitter with sweetness in the background and a bitter end, high carbonation, light bodied
Overall: I am not a huge fan of this style, but I would be if more were made like this. This is about the juiciest APA I have had. Grapefruit just bursts...There is sweetness that mixes well. This one never gets mouth puckeringly bitter but never lets on it is a sweet beer either...This is what I would get if I wanted an APA...If not to style, this would come in still about a 4
★ 697 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.
Appearance: 3/4 inch head, high carbonation, orange-brown in color, clear
Smell: pale malt and citrus hops
Taste: citrus hops, grapefruit, caramel, and a granola taste
Mouthfeel: bitter with sweetness in the background and a bitter end, high carbonation, light bodied
Overall: I am not a huge fan of this style, but I would be if more were made like this. This is about the juiciest APA I have had. Grapefruit just bursts...There is sweetness that mixes well. This one never gets mouth puckeringly bitter but never lets on it is a sweet beer either...This is what I would get if I wanted an APA...If not to style, this would come in still about a 4
★ 697 characters
4.38/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
rich copper color,smells like it tastes. love the tickly bubbles and just the right amount of bitter that hits the back sides of your tongue.made for dudes that like a good session and guys that like to sell it to them.the low abv make the brew perfect for the boys that like to earn there buzz
★ 294 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
rich copper color,smells like it tastes. love the tickly bubbles and just the right amount of bitter that hits the back sides of your tongue.made for dudes that like a good session and guys that like to sell it to them.the low abv make the brew perfect for the boys that like to earn there buzz
★ 294 characters
4.38/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A friend of mine lives in Chappaqua, not far from the brewery and had a fridge full of growlers including this wonderful pale ale. It's a hazey orange amber color with a great off-white head and good lacing. The aroma is a light orange hop bitterness and sourdough bread. The flavor is crisp orange bread as well, with a light malt presence but the hop bitterness is very solid for a pale ale, and scrumscious. There is a slight butter and nut flavor in the mix, mellow and edible. Mid to full bodied, refreshing and very nice drinkability. This is clearly a great, tried and true pale ale if you lean toward the hop head side. If you rely on a milder brew for your pale ale, this might rate a bit lower for you.
★ 712 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A friend of mine lives in Chappaqua, not far from the brewery and had a fridge full of growlers including this wonderful pale ale. It's a hazey orange amber color with a great off-white head and good lacing. The aroma is a light orange hop bitterness and sourdough bread. The flavor is crisp orange bread as well, with a light malt presence but the hop bitterness is very solid for a pale ale, and scrumscious. There is a slight butter and nut flavor in the mix, mellow and edible. Mid to full bodied, refreshing and very nice drinkability. This is clearly a great, tried and true pale ale if you lean toward the hop head side. If you rely on a milder brew for your pale ale, this might rate a bit lower for you.
★ 712 characters
4.37/5 rDev +12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Sampled first at brewery and polished off a growler last night. Poured generously into imperial pint glass.
Prior to visit to brewery, only had the bigger beers they offered- crap, was I impressed with their take on smaller ones as well.
A: Straw yellow pale ale color. Moderate head, little lacing.
S: Citrus hops smoothly balanced with fruit sweetness and sugars of the malts.
T: Balanced to perfection- the more I drink of this the more I like it. Great Pale Ale. Piney, grassy, malty all tied into one smooth tasting beer.
M: If anything, not as light bodied as I expected but the thicker mouthfeel was actually pleasant in this.
D: A truly well rounded beer that got better as I went through the growler. I really would wish they would bottle these and the other session beers they have put together.
★ 811 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Sampled first at brewery and polished off a growler last night. Poured generously into imperial pint glass.
Prior to visit to brewery, only had the bigger beers they offered- crap, was I impressed with their take on smaller ones as well.
A: Straw yellow pale ale color. Moderate head, little lacing.
S: Citrus hops smoothly balanced with fruit sweetness and sugars of the malts.
T: Balanced to perfection- the more I drink of this the more I like it. Great Pale Ale. Piney, grassy, malty all tied into one smooth tasting beer.
M: If anything, not as light bodied as I expected but the thicker mouthfeel was actually pleasant in this.
D: A truly well rounded beer that got better as I went through the growler. I really would wish they would bottle these and the other session beers they have put together.
★ 811 characters
4.36/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I had this at Spitzer's in NYC.
It comes in an amber color.
The aroma has grapefruit, pale ale malt.
The taste is quite complex. There is grapefruit, sweet pineapple, and then some pine and grassiness. The finish has a really wonderful medium grapefruit bitterness that almost makes it an IPA. Instead of a fruity flavor like some pale ales, it has a West Coast IPA pine and grapefruit punch.
A really well crafted "pale ale," though I would more call it a calmer IPA. It is a fantastic beer. One of my favorite pale ales. So hoppy and delicious.
★ 550 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I had this at Spitzer's in NYC.
It comes in an amber color.
The aroma has grapefruit, pale ale malt.
The taste is quite complex. There is grapefruit, sweet pineapple, and then some pine and grassiness. The finish has a really wonderful medium grapefruit bitterness that almost makes it an IPA. Instead of a fruity flavor like some pale ales, it has a West Coast IPA pine and grapefruit punch.
A really well crafted "pale ale," though I would more call it a calmer IPA. It is a fantastic beer. One of my favorite pale ales. So hoppy and delicious.
★ 550 characters
4.35/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz. bottle.
Pours a clear, golden orange. Two fingers of cobwebby, light beige head. Some frothy lacing. Nose shows a balance of malt and hops. Pine and citrus play nicely with fruity, almost tropically, malt.
Toasted grains up front. Herbal, grassy bitterness picks up. Cookie and sweetish fruit malt build a nice solid foundation. Floral, citrus, and pine hop notes carry to the finish. Dryish and refreshing, with lots of lingering hop and sugary malt goodness. Medium-bodied, with a lively, yet natural, feel. Very nice and eminently drinkable.
★ 554 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz. bottle.
Pours a clear, golden orange. Two fingers of cobwebby, light beige head. Some frothy lacing. Nose shows a balance of malt and hops. Pine and citrus play nicely with fruity, almost tropically, malt.
Toasted grains up front. Herbal, grassy bitterness picks up. Cookie and sweetish fruit malt build a nice solid foundation. Floral, citrus, and pine hop notes carry to the finish. Dryish and refreshing, with lots of lingering hop and sugary malt goodness. Medium-bodied, with a lively, yet natural, feel. Very nice and eminently drinkable.
★ 554 characters
4.34/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
You get a decent finger plus off-white foam, lots of larger bubbles forming islands across the surface, retention is a little below average, the lacing accords itself better, nice thick streaks encircle the glass and they pretty much stay there. The liquid is a spotless and transparent coppery orange, more reddish at its core and yellow around the rims, few but very strong bubble beads, high level of activity. Quite hoppy nose with spotlight on orange to grapefruit citrus, black pepper, green straw, peat and earth, coal tar and baked country bread, the fruit is mostly pineapple, nectarine but held in check, same for any cocoa or malty notes. Medium-bodied, amply prickle and activity from the carbonation, has a slight gluey texture otherwise, sticks to the palate. The pink grapefruit, tangerine citrus sweeter here, elevates with it the milk chocolate. Still, the peach, pineapple, green apple fruit struggles some to enunciate. Becomes more floral and less peppery the more you sip it and it warms. It’s an even draw on yeasts versus cooked bread accents. The herbal bite lessened although there’s more than enough bitterness at the end. Well thought out and as fun as it is interesting to dissect.
★ 1,213 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
You get a decent finger plus off-white foam, lots of larger bubbles forming islands across the surface, retention is a little below average, the lacing accords itself better, nice thick streaks encircle the glass and they pretty much stay there. The liquid is a spotless and transparent coppery orange, more reddish at its core and yellow around the rims, few but very strong bubble beads, high level of activity. Quite hoppy nose with spotlight on orange to grapefruit citrus, black pepper, green straw, peat and earth, coal tar and baked country bread, the fruit is mostly pineapple, nectarine but held in check, same for any cocoa or malty notes. Medium-bodied, amply prickle and activity from the carbonation, has a slight gluey texture otherwise, sticks to the palate. The pink grapefruit, tangerine citrus sweeter here, elevates with it the milk chocolate. Still, the peach, pineapple, green apple fruit struggles some to enunciate. Becomes more floral and less peppery the more you sip it and it warms. It’s an even draw on yeasts versus cooked bread accents. The herbal bite lessened although there’s more than enough bitterness at the end. Well thought out and as fun as it is interesting to dissect.
★ 1,213 characters
4.33/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A beautifully clear orange amber with a prodigious head and quality lacing all the way down. Carbonation visible with each sip.
Smell is bright and citrusy with a large toasted malt and caramel sweet breadiness. A bit of butterscotch and fruitiness. Hops really are the star here. They are not overly large but they are showcased nicely.
Taste is superbly balanced with a caramel and toffee malt core and a lightly grapefruited hoppiness. A big toasted flavor runs through it giving a broader palate. Finish is clean with a firm hop profile. A light whole grain cracker lingers with a touch of grapefruit skin.
Feel is crisp and smooth with a nice weight. Carbonation cleans the mouth and gives a refreshing personality.
What a great quaffer this one is. While the abv is on the higher side it still ranks as an ideal session ale. Thirst quenching and refreshing it makes me glad that a $9.50 refill is only 25 minutes away. A great beer for this time of year through the summer and even the fall.
★ 1,003 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A beautifully clear orange amber with a prodigious head and quality lacing all the way down. Carbonation visible with each sip.
Smell is bright and citrusy with a large toasted malt and caramel sweet breadiness. A bit of butterscotch and fruitiness. Hops really are the star here. They are not overly large but they are showcased nicely.
Taste is superbly balanced with a caramel and toffee malt core and a lightly grapefruited hoppiness. A big toasted flavor runs through it giving a broader palate. Finish is clean with a firm hop profile. A light whole grain cracker lingers with a touch of grapefruit skin.
Feel is crisp and smooth with a nice weight. Carbonation cleans the mouth and gives a refreshing personality.
What a great quaffer this one is. While the abv is on the higher side it still ranks as an ideal session ale. Thirst quenching and refreshing it makes me glad that a $9.50 refill is only 25 minutes away. A great beer for this time of year through the summer and even the fall.
★ 1,003 characters
4.33/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Out of the Growler this is amazing. A thick, three inch head. Dissipates steadily, and leaves a decent lace. Semi-dark orange/brown in color.
S: Very nice, nutty smell.
T: It is a little bitter, but in that good kind of Pale Ale kind of way. Nutty, with a very rich body.
M: Lots of flavor, the mouthfeel is good, but I can't explain why.
D: Very smooth with a nice kick.
One of the best Pale Ales I have ever had. For such a little brewery in Westchester, this is an awesome beer.
★ 489 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Out of the Growler this is amazing. A thick, three inch head. Dissipates steadily, and leaves a decent lace. Semi-dark orange/brown in color.
S: Very nice, nutty smell.
T: It is a little bitter, but in that good kind of Pale Ale kind of way. Nutty, with a very rich body.
M: Lots of flavor, the mouthfeel is good, but I can't explain why.
D: Very smooth with a nice kick.
One of the best Pale Ales I have ever had. For such a little brewery in Westchester, this is an awesome beer.
★ 489 characters
4.33/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Captain lawrence pale ale. Mark bar happy hour
darkish umber hue with a pillowy head. Lovely sticky lace clings to the side of the glass as I drink this down.
S-toasted biscuits and bread with a nice ammount of citrus hops.
T-clean tasting. The toasted malt provides the canvas and the hops the paint. The taste is similar to the smell. This is another well balanced pale ale
M-rich and creamy with a refreshing carbonation.
D- another winner from the Captain. This is becoming one of my favourites. I am lucky to be in the distribution zone.
★ 560 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Captain lawrence pale ale. Mark bar happy hour
darkish umber hue with a pillowy head. Lovely sticky lace clings to the side of the glass as I drink this down.
S-toasted biscuits and bread with a nice ammount of citrus hops.
T-clean tasting. The toasted malt provides the canvas and the hops the paint. The taste is similar to the smell. This is another well balanced pale ale
M-rich and creamy with a refreshing carbonation.
D- another winner from the Captain. This is becoming one of my favourites. I am lucky to be in the distribution zone.
★ 560 characters
4.33/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap @ The Gingerman in Norwalk, CT. $6 for a pint.
A- Nice golden color, big sticky head with fantastic heavy lace rings all the way down the glass.
N- Citrus hops and some pleasing floral notes. Light and crisp.
T- Great bouquet of hop flavors here- bitterness is very low but citrus and mild pine resin flavors permiate. A bit grassy at times, but more 'new growth' than 'barnyard stank'. Nice mild malt base rounds it out.
M- Great carbonation, a bit of a heavy body (for the style) makes this one stand out.
D- What can I say? This is one of the best pale ales out there. If it's on tap, I'm ordering it. This would be my second favorite pale ale of all time- closely behind Alesmith X.
Paired fantastically w/ a roasted red pepper and mozarella chicken paninni.
★ 776 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap @ The Gingerman in Norwalk, CT. $6 for a pint.
A- Nice golden color, big sticky head with fantastic heavy lace rings all the way down the glass.
N- Citrus hops and some pleasing floral notes. Light and crisp.
T- Great bouquet of hop flavors here- bitterness is very low but citrus and mild pine resin flavors permiate. A bit grassy at times, but more 'new growth' than 'barnyard stank'. Nice mild malt base rounds it out.
M- Great carbonation, a bit of a heavy body (for the style) makes this one stand out.
D- What can I say? This is one of the best pale ales out there. If it's on tap, I'm ordering it. This would be my second favorite pale ale of all time- closely behind Alesmith X.
Paired fantastically w/ a roasted red pepper and mozarella chicken paninni.
★ 776 characters
4.3/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at the Office in Montclair...
Arrived in the serving glass with a nice fluffy, foamy head... Appearance was a ruddy, amber, copper-brown color...
Enticing aroma replete with caramel, grains, and a hint of vanilla...
Very crisp, refreshing bread and butter flavor along with hints of light caramel and earthiness...
Hands down, one of the best American Pale Ales I've ever sampled...
Nice, crisp, clean mouthfeel along with an excellent level of drinkability...
Recommended...
★ 483 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at the Office in Montclair...
Arrived in the serving glass with a nice fluffy, foamy head... Appearance was a ruddy, amber, copper-brown color...
Enticing aroma replete with caramel, grains, and a hint of vanilla...
Very crisp, refreshing bread and butter flavor along with hints of light caramel and earthiness...
Hands down, one of the best American Pale Ales I've ever sampled...
Nice, crisp, clean mouthfeel along with an excellent level of drinkability...
Recommended...
★ 483 characters
4.3/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
on-tap at The Ginger Man in NYC
Pours light amber with a creamy head that descends to a lasting thin cover. Some traces of lacing stick to the glass.
The smell is of citrus - grapefruit and orange with sweet grains and a hint of caramel.
The taste is of citrusy, piney hops followied by a balancing sweetness - caramel almost a hint of chocolatey sweetness. Bitterness stays just ahead. Very well-balanced - hops and malt blend nicely.
The body thins just a tad, but holds on in a light to medium body. Smooth. Leaves a nice aftertaste.
An easy, flavorful "session". A very nice example of the style.
★ 615 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
on-tap at The Ginger Man in NYC
Pours light amber with a creamy head that descends to a lasting thin cover. Some traces of lacing stick to the glass.
The smell is of citrus - grapefruit and orange with sweet grains and a hint of caramel.
The taste is of citrusy, piney hops followied by a balancing sweetness - caramel almost a hint of chocolatey sweetness. Bitterness stays just ahead. Very well-balanced - hops and malt blend nicely.
The body thins just a tad, but holds on in a light to medium body. Smooth. Leaves a nice aftertaste.
An easy, flavorful "session". A very nice example of the style.
★ 615 characters
4.3/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle fresh from the brewery into a Captain Lawrence Tulip.
Pours and orange color with slight yellow tinge. Good cream color head which retains a thin layer on top. Average lacing for the style.
Smells of malt with touch of apricot happiness, carmel notes and juicy grapefruit.
Tastes of malt with ripe grapefruit followed by a pleasant bitter. Nice touch of tropical fruit balances with the malt. Good mouthfeel with light carbonation that fades away for a perfect sip that lets the malt and fruits mainly slight grapefruit bitterness linger on the palate.
Great Session beer.
In my opinion this compares to a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale but is more fruity and less dry with less of that west coast bitter hop bite. More balanced with malt and and fruit.
★ 765 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle fresh from the brewery into a Captain Lawrence Tulip.
Pours and orange color with slight yellow tinge. Good cream color head which retains a thin layer on top. Average lacing for the style.
Smells of malt with touch of apricot happiness, carmel notes and juicy grapefruit.
Tastes of malt with ripe grapefruit followed by a pleasant bitter. Nice touch of tropical fruit balances with the malt. Good mouthfeel with light carbonation that fades away for a perfect sip that lets the malt and fruits mainly slight grapefruit bitterness linger on the palate.
Great Session beer.
In my opinion this compares to a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale but is more fruity and less dry with less of that west coast bitter hop bite. More balanced with malt and and fruit.
★ 765 characters
4.3/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Poured from the growler into a pint glass on Thanksgiving Day 2012 - pairing it with appetizers (cheese & crackers, shrimp cocktail). Body is clear orangey amber with a half-finger off-white head and decent splotches of lace.
S: Nose is somewhat muted - I was expecting more hoppiness, to be honest, and was surprised by the toasty malt and caramel malt sweetness. Hops are there, however - a bit of citrus - grapefruit and lemon.
T: Nicely balanced APA with a caramel malt and toasted bread foundation and a lightly citrusy (think grapefruit) hoppiness. Finish is clean with a touch of grainy cracker, bitter lemon and grapefruit pith. Unlike an IPA, however, this is balanced and not a hop assault - though there is a solid lingering bitterness that at times seems piney in addition to the citrus bitterness. . . .
M: Call it medium in heft. Carbonation is appropriate - cleaning the palate and providing a solid brightness.
O: Good stuff. On par with SNPA and the other top-notch APAs. My first pint glass from the growler is quickly empty.
★ 1,053 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Poured from the growler into a pint glass on Thanksgiving Day 2012 - pairing it with appetizers (cheese & crackers, shrimp cocktail). Body is clear orangey amber with a half-finger off-white head and decent splotches of lace.
S: Nose is somewhat muted - I was expecting more hoppiness, to be honest, and was surprised by the toasty malt and caramel malt sweetness. Hops are there, however - a bit of citrus - grapefruit and lemon.
T: Nicely balanced APA with a caramel malt and toasted bread foundation and a lightly citrusy (think grapefruit) hoppiness. Finish is clean with a touch of grainy cracker, bitter lemon and grapefruit pith. Unlike an IPA, however, this is balanced and not a hop assault - though there is a solid lingering bitterness that at times seems piney in addition to the citrus bitterness. . . .
M: Call it medium in heft. Carbonation is appropriate - cleaning the palate and providing a solid brightness.
O: Good stuff. On par with SNPA and the other top-notch APAs. My first pint glass from the growler is quickly empty.
★ 1,053 characters
Freshchester Pale Ale from Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
3.88
out of 5
based on 592 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Fresh growler from the brewery.
I'm a big fan of this beer. Very healthy amount of hops, getting close to an IPA.
Nice light brown color, with a good head.
Smell is powerful, with the hops taking over.
Taste and mouth feel are great - strong hop flavor, balanced nicely with the other components. It appears the growler was the right size.
★ 343 characters