Vale Ale
McLaren Vale Beer Company
- From:
- McLaren Vale Beer Company
- Australia
- Style:
- American Pale Ale
Ranked #1,461 - ABV:
- 4.5%
- Score:
- 74
Ranked #38,719 - Avg:
- 3.08 | pDev: 17.53%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 19
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 07, 2025
- Added:
- Nov 16, 2008
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 3
SCORE
74
Okay
74
Okay
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.57/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.57/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
I'm not sure of the history of the ratings behind this APA. Since I like the ale, I'd have to guess there is some antipathy against McLaren; which I also don't get from looking at their website. Vale is 15 years old, thinks seriously about brewing for the kitchen and their restaurant has a very intriguing menu... and a spectacular setting in wine country south of Adelaide. For all that, I give decent Overall Hugs. And with 36 brews listed on UnTappd and only 1 on BA, I should seek McLaren out while I'm here down under.
As for this Ale, I'll rate it against most APAs because it is better than half that I drink. Vale's has a big billowy head, inviting; but also goes away fast. Smells fruity, then malty. Tastes offer some complexity, but primary is its pleasant balance with hops staying hidden even through the finish... even though they obviously are there. Medium-mouthed, but also a very soft APA that other micros should consider trying.
Jan 07, 2025As for this Ale, I'll rate it against most APAs because it is better than half that I drink. Vale's has a big billowy head, inviting; but also goes away fast. Smells fruity, then malty. Tastes offer some complexity, but primary is its pleasant balance with hops staying hidden even through the finish... even though they obviously are there. Medium-mouthed, but also a very soft APA that other micros should consider trying.
Reviewed by Andrewharemza from Australia
3.39/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.39/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
golden amber in colour with a fading two-finger white head. Mid-fruits, caramel and grassy hop aromas with a distinct and not entirely pleasant leafy, earthy yeast character that carries on to the palate. Light to medium body, medium carbonation and a nutty, toasted malt linger in the finish.
Jul 04, 2015
Rated by Andrewziggy from Australia
3.4/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.4/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
biscuit malts, citrus and that earth again. Hop bitterness right from the start.
Dec 27, 2014
Reviewed by SmashPants from Australia
3.12/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.12/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Format: standard brown 330mL bottle, semi-macro label with a touch of classic minimalism. Stylish.
Appearance: pours a mid amber with a light haze and constant fine carbonation across the profile. A half-finger of off-white head drops to a thin cap with great lacing.
Aroma: I was expecting this to be a slightly lighter version of the IPA, but oh boy was I wrong. A faint aroma of earth with a touch of citrus. Quite dull.
Taste: biscuit malts, citrus and that earth again. Hop bitterness right from the start. Thankfully it is stronger than the aroma. Pleasant enough but not quite up to the McLaren Vale standard.
Aftertaste: some bitterness with a bit of an awkward fug from the malts.
Mouth feel: medium in body with a moderate carbonation that actually comes through a bit awkward - too spritzy for the style which makes the hops a touch too bitter rather than flavour-forward.
Overall: after their IPA, Lager and Dark Lager, this one was a bit of a disappointment. Not dreadful by any means, but certainly not the best APA I have ever had. Certainly not worth AU$65 a case.
Dec 17, 2014Appearance: pours a mid amber with a light haze and constant fine carbonation across the profile. A half-finger of off-white head drops to a thin cap with great lacing.
Aroma: I was expecting this to be a slightly lighter version of the IPA, but oh boy was I wrong. A faint aroma of earth with a touch of citrus. Quite dull.
Taste: biscuit malts, citrus and that earth again. Hop bitterness right from the start. Thankfully it is stronger than the aroma. Pleasant enough but not quite up to the McLaren Vale standard.
Aftertaste: some bitterness with a bit of an awkward fug from the malts.
Mouth feel: medium in body with a moderate carbonation that actually comes through a bit awkward - too spritzy for the style which makes the hops a touch too bitter rather than flavour-forward.
Overall: after their IPA, Lager and Dark Lager, this one was a bit of a disappointment. Not dreadful by any means, but certainly not the best APA I have ever had. Certainly not worth AU$65 a case.
Reviewed by baumaxx1 from Australia
2.11/5 rDev -31.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
2.11/5 rDev -31.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Bottled beer served in a glass.
Appearance-
Thin 1cm head but lasting, clear golden yellow colour, suspended yeast particles, lots of carbonation, leaves some lacing.
Smell-
Sugar, yeast, bread, malty, citrus, musk, slightly skunked.
Taste -
Mostly soda water with a hint of lemon and hops, sweet toffee, and a slightly stale bread taste. A bit bland, slightly over-sour and a metallic beer defect is present.
Mouthfeel-
Lively carbonation, slightly watery body, with a metallic after-taste which coats the roof of the mouth.
Overall-
Disappointing - I remember this being good on tap, and quite fruity, but haven't found it to be the same out of a bottle. Not the only batch to be like this lately. Maybe it used to be better, but I wouldn't recommend it now. This batch was characterless and defective. Will have to re-assess if I have it on tap again.
Note: Don't take this as a reflection on the rest of the brewer's range - the Vale IPA, Lager and Dark are excellent.
Oct 15, 2014Appearance-
Thin 1cm head but lasting, clear golden yellow colour, suspended yeast particles, lots of carbonation, leaves some lacing.
Smell-
Sugar, yeast, bread, malty, citrus, musk, slightly skunked.
Taste -
Mostly soda water with a hint of lemon and hops, sweet toffee, and a slightly stale bread taste. A bit bland, slightly over-sour and a metallic beer defect is present.
Mouthfeel-
Lively carbonation, slightly watery body, with a metallic after-taste which coats the roof of the mouth.
Overall-
Disappointing - I remember this being good on tap, and quite fruity, but haven't found it to be the same out of a bottle. Not the only batch to be like this lately. Maybe it used to be better, but I wouldn't recommend it now. This batch was characterless and defective. Will have to re-assess if I have it on tap again.
Note: Don't take this as a reflection on the rest of the brewer's range - the Vale IPA, Lager and Dark are excellent.
Reviewed by emincems from Türkiye
3.02/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.02/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Light bodied, but well carbonated APA. Slightly sweet grainy malt with peppery and earthy hops. Taste is not strong enough, but it is a good refresher.
Aug 14, 2014
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