MacLean's Pale Ale
MacLean's Beer

So I noticed my fairly old review for this beer is now under F&M brewing. That said, the old bottle of this stuff I think tastes a bit different from the red cans it is produced in now, and the recipe may have changed, so thankfully I brought one back from the trailer, so lets give it a redo.

Appearance: Two fingers of head that has decent retention and made some mild lacing. Carbonation is nice a steady in it's fairly clear Amber body.

Smell: Still seems to have a butterscotch smell that I recall, but it's a lot more subtle in the background as floral hops seems to be the star now. Decent potency that warming doesn't really improve.

Taste: Toffee and caramel malts with a slight floral presence begin the beer, at which point floral and a hint earth and pine hops make their presence know. Still more subdued then other pale ales which I like, but has enough of a kick to stay interesting.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation helps out the entire beer, mild caramel with an earth floral aftertaste that clings a bit, but never gets out of control, transitioning it a bit rocky but it's nothing too major.

Drinkability: Easy enough to drink, especially in the summer when you want something on the lighter end of medium body but desire a bit more of a bitter kick after drinking sours and wheats. Settles down well enough although could be a bit more refreshing.

Final Thoughts: I think they may have changed up the hops a bit over the years and refined the recipe, as I recall it used to have more sweetness too it that clashed poorly with the hops. Now it's a case where turning down the volume worked out well. A solid pale ale if you are in the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

500 ml bottle served cold into a pint glass. Purchased for $3.60 CDN from the local LCBO.

Appearance - crystal clear with a rich vibrant copper color. 1 finger of frothy head is poured and retention isn't half bad. Some bubbles make their way up to the top of the glass. A small collar of sticky off white lacing left behind.

Smell - molasses and toffee are the most distinguishable aromas although I'm certain there's a little caramel in there. Aroma is all malt, and is pleasant but isn't a terribly big nose.

Taste - lots of malt up front toffee and molasses namely before turning bitter. However the flavor stays quite bitter into the aftertaste and seems to be bitter just for the sake of being bitter. Some biscuit like flavor melded in there too. The bitterness doesn't seem nearly as prevalent after a couple sips anda. Touch of warming.

Mouthfeel - reasonably light bodied with prickly carbonation. Seems a bit strange with the flavor and aroma profiles but it is different.

Overall - nothing inherently wrong with this beer, I just like English pale ales done a little different. Combine that with the higher price, and this isn't one beer I'm likely to return to.

Pours a nice gold colour with a huge fluffy head. The smell is a tad hops and a tad grains. The taste is wonderful, just the right amount of each ingredient to make this a delicious beer. Mouthfeel is tingly from the higher level of carbonation. A very good beer
Feb 11 2023

 

 

Purchased at the LCBO for around $4.00 or so for a 500ml bottle. Served at 4deg C in a draught glass

A- Pretty good. No head though. Dark amber color

S- Lots here. Caramel and hops. Pretty standard though

T- Not so hot. Too much caramel. Too sweet. Not bitter at all. Understanding not all pale ales are hop bombs but this one is a malt bomb

M- Pretty good. The sweetness kind of mixes it up too much

O- Pretty good but I won't buy again

Food Pairing

This ok beer went well with...... Simmered high quality hot dogs until the start to pop on the ends then a touch of mustard and sauerkraut.

Enjoy!!

 

500 mL bottle picked up at the LCBO, best before Nov. 28 2014. Served well-chilled. First time I've heard of these guys, even though this beer has apparently been on the market in one form or another for at least a decade.

Pours a clear, bright orange-amber colour, topped at first with over two fingers of creamy, off-white foam. Decent retention; it takes more than a few minutes for the lofty cap to finally wilt, leaving behind a rocky cap and lots of lace. The aroma is mild and mostly malty, with some grainy, bready notes in addition to caramel and butterscotch. Light hint of grassy earth.

The taste follows the aroma fairly closely. The malt bill starts things off, a little grainy, with toffee and a hint of toasted biscuits. Some ripe orchard fruit notes are then countered with some leafy, earthy English hop bitterness at the finish, lingering on the palate into the aftertaste. Light-medium in body, with fairly assertive carbonation levels that give this brew a good bite and crisp feel in the mouth. Not a showy beer, but definitely a drinkable one.

Final Grade: 3.39, a B-. MacLean's Pale Ale makes for a respectable pint, but I'd be lying if I said I were in love with it. While price does not factor into my grade, the fact that you can find any number of EPAs or APAs at a lower price point with very little effort does not bode well for this one's chances at being purchased again. Give it a shot, as it's still a tasty, simple little English-style session ale - not every beer needs to be remarkable or even memorable to be worthwhile.