MO | Maine Beer Company
Brewed by:
Maine Beer Company
Maine, United States
mainebeercompany.com
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Our first run at an American Pale Ale. Flavors and aromas of zesty citrus, passionfruit, and pine present themselves throughout. A very subtle malt sweetness for balance, but this is intended to finish dry.
Just after opening our brewery, working long nights, weekends, and still maintaining our day jobs, my brother Daniel (the brewer) had twins. Cheers to his courage and dedication to making better beer.
Added by BEERMILER12 on 02-29-2012
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 3,329 | Reviews: 494
4.16/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Hazy amber orange color with a thick head with great retention.
Aroma with notes of passion fruit, pine, fresh oranges, honey and stone fruit.
Flavor with notes of pine, mango, passion fruit, pineapple juice, spices and
Dry aftertaste with a very clean bitterness. It feels a bit lower than its 60.
Light to medium velvety body with appropriate carbonation.
Perfectly crafted with optimal balance and a super refreshing tropical, piney and citrusy APA. Not a pointless hop bomb.
483 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Hazy amber orange color with a thick head with great retention.
Aroma with notes of passion fruit, pine, fresh oranges, honey and stone fruit.
Flavor with notes of pine, mango, passion fruit, pineapple juice, spices and
Dry aftertaste with a very clean bitterness. It feels a bit lower than its 60.
Light to medium velvety body with appropriate carbonation.
Perfectly crafted with optimal balance and a super refreshing tropical, piney and citrusy APA. Not a pointless hop bomb.
483 characters
4.48/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled on 9/4/18
Pours a mostly clear golden orange with a thick two and a half finger white head, a foamy, almost cloud-like visual; excellent head retention at its peak, and still holds relentlessly at the one finger mark; plenty of sticky, soapy lacing clings on.
Aromas of piney hops against a delicate malt backbone to start, followed by notes of fresh cut grass, wilted mint, and garden herbs to go along with dank peach, citrusy grapefruit pith, tangerine, and orange peel; the hops notes are both edgy and refined, adding the necessary balance to what is a compact, subtly evocative, and classic pale ale bouquet.
Taste is simultaneously hoppy, bitter, and malty, and the balance is really something excellent; the notes of fresh grass build to a showcase of lightly bitter hops merging on the profile with smooth, clean malt in a truly symbiotic manner; it is a simple but pure display of what these two elements can accomplish.
Mouthfeel is well-carbed, something that builds on the beer’s smooth medium body; ultimately, it results in a creamy-smooth feel with a good bit of heft on the palate and a nice hop prickle on the finish; it certainly (and maybe somewhat unexpectedly) holds its own, while never losing a comfortable crispness.
Such a simple beer on the outset, and one that maybe took awhile to grab my attention considering the flavor bombs it exists alongside today (as well as the format and slightly off-putting pricing), but a beer this well-done can’t be ignored. A classic take on the style that has a bit of everything; simple but with quiet complexities, MO stands out for its ultimate drinkability and total polish as a pale ale.
1,671 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled on 9/4/18
Pours a mostly clear golden orange with a thick two and a half finger white head, a foamy, almost cloud-like visual; excellent head retention at its peak, and still holds relentlessly at the one finger mark; plenty of sticky, soapy lacing clings on.
Aromas of piney hops against a delicate malt backbone to start, followed by notes of fresh cut grass, wilted mint, and garden herbs to go along with dank peach, citrusy grapefruit pith, tangerine, and orange peel; the hops notes are both edgy and refined, adding the necessary balance to what is a compact, subtly evocative, and classic pale ale bouquet.
Taste is simultaneously hoppy, bitter, and malty, and the balance is really something excellent; the notes of fresh grass build to a showcase of lightly bitter hops merging on the profile with smooth, clean malt in a truly symbiotic manner; it is a simple but pure display of what these two elements can accomplish.
Mouthfeel is well-carbed, something that builds on the beer’s smooth medium body; ultimately, it results in a creamy-smooth feel with a good bit of heft on the palate and a nice hop prickle on the finish; it certainly (and maybe somewhat unexpectedly) holds its own, while never losing a comfortable crispness.
Such a simple beer on the outset, and one that maybe took awhile to grab my attention considering the flavor bombs it exists alongside today (as well as the format and slightly off-putting pricing), but a beer this well-done can’t be ignored. A classic take on the style that has a bit of everything; simple but with quiet complexities, MO stands out for its ultimate drinkability and total polish as a pale ale.
1,671 characters
4.55/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.35/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
(500 ml bottle, 08/07/18... poured into a nonic)
L: yellow-amber liquid, slight haze; tall, two-finger high rocky foam stand with fantastic retention... first pour produced a lot of head, subsequent topping pour kicked in a little swirl of sediment, enhancing the haze... remainder poured in creates dense cloudiness
S: static noise of pineapple, pink grapefruit, candied orange (peel), fragrant floral undertone - great intensity overall, alcohol only perhaps a touch present in background...
T: fruitiness of hops hangs heavy in the middle of the palate, with a knot of their spicy, peppery, lightly-herbal flavors clinging to the top of the palate; perhaps a subtle menthol note in the background; hanging on bottom of the palate is a little clean pale malt with maybe some crystal showing, but the entire foundation of which is all but drenched and drowned in hop residue cascading down from the top - interesting spectrum and division of flavors, top to bottom... the sediment seems to lend a subtle nuttiness at first, then homogenizes the hop-
F: bitterness of hops (fueled a touch by the booze) keeps a fine, yet relatively intense stinging action going on at the top of the palate, while the 2/3 to 3/4 at the back of the palate is quiet and clean... even after sediment fully integrated, very clean finish and afterglow... has that real-ale touch
O: man, another one I'm sorry to say I never tried sooner - humulus heavy and hazy, sublimely drinkable, on-point APA(/IPA) ... flavor seems to hold up well after a month - now having had two of their beers for the first time as of late, I'm really curious and eager to taste more fresh examples... I could do bottle-conditioned beer all day
1,703 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
(500 ml bottle, 08/07/18... poured into a nonic)
L: yellow-amber liquid, slight haze; tall, two-finger high rocky foam stand with fantastic retention... first pour produced a lot of head, subsequent topping pour kicked in a little swirl of sediment, enhancing the haze... remainder poured in creates dense cloudiness
S: static noise of pineapple, pink grapefruit, candied orange (peel), fragrant floral undertone - great intensity overall, alcohol only perhaps a touch present in background...
T: fruitiness of hops hangs heavy in the middle of the palate, with a knot of their spicy, peppery, lightly-herbal flavors clinging to the top of the palate; perhaps a subtle menthol note in the background; hanging on bottom of the palate is a little clean pale malt with maybe some crystal showing, but the entire foundation of which is all but drenched and drowned in hop residue cascading down from the top - interesting spectrum and division of flavors, top to bottom... the sediment seems to lend a subtle nuttiness at first, then homogenizes the hop-
F: bitterness of hops (fueled a touch by the booze) keeps a fine, yet relatively intense stinging action going on at the top of the palate, while the 2/3 to 3/4 at the back of the palate is quiet and clean... even after sediment fully integrated, very clean finish and afterglow... has that real-ale touch
O: man, another one I'm sorry to say I never tried sooner - humulus heavy and hazy, sublimely drinkable, on-point APA(/IPA) ... flavor seems to hold up well after a month - now having had two of their beers for the first time as of late, I'm really curious and eager to taste more fresh examples... I could do bottle-conditioned beer all day
1,703 characters
4.23/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.48/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.21/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
3.79/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear golden color with a fresh white head. Smell was citrus and lemon grass. Taste had prickly citrus fruit with some pine resin a cracker malt finish. Mouth was crisp a clean with hops and a mild bitter finish. A pedestrian pale ale very drinkable and refreshingly clean, not one i would buy again at it package or price point.
338 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear golden color with a fresh white head. Smell was citrus and lemon grass. Taste had prickly citrus fruit with some pine resin a cracker malt finish. Mouth was crisp a clean with hops and a mild bitter finish. A pedestrian pale ale very drinkable and refreshingly clean, not one i would buy again at it package or price point.
338 characters
4.23/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a bottle into a Laughing Sun tulip
L: Nearly clear light golden pour with 2 fingers of fluffy white head. Great lacing.
S: Lemon/citrus and mild resin.
T/F: Light grains. Lemon and grapefruit citrus. Light pine... mildly sweet followed by modest bitterness. Fruity. Creamy mouthfeel... light bodied and delicious.
O: An outstanding APA. One of the best I've ever had... just fantastic beer. This one's a 'must buy' if you are lucky enough to find it.
479 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a bottle into a Laughing Sun tulip
L: Nearly clear light golden pour with 2 fingers of fluffy white head. Great lacing.
S: Lemon/citrus and mild resin.
T/F: Light grains. Lemon and grapefruit citrus. Light pine... mildly sweet followed by modest bitterness. Fruity. Creamy mouthfeel... light bodied and delicious.
O: An outstanding APA. One of the best I've ever had... just fantastic beer. This one's a 'must buy' if you are lucky enough to find it.
479 characters
4.25/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.8/5 rDev -11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from bottle
Look is golden with a frothy white head and nice lacing.
Smell is just some slight citrus or tropical, and pine; pretty subtle to me.
Taste is of some pine and a little malt sweetness. Maybe some subtle tropical fruit.
Light body, light carbonation.
Like other Maine beers I've had, this is enjoyable because it's balanced. Not one thing really stands out, but everything works together. Light, crisp, refreshing, low enough ABV, but enough flavors there to keep it interesting.
500 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from bottle
Look is golden with a frothy white head and nice lacing.
Smell is just some slight citrus or tropical, and pine; pretty subtle to me.
Taste is of some pine and a little malt sweetness. Maybe some subtle tropical fruit.
Light body, light carbonation.
Like other Maine beers I've had, this is enjoyable because it's balanced. Not one thing really stands out, but everything works together. Light, crisp, refreshing, low enough ABV, but enough flavors there to keep it interesting.
500 characters
4.31/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.68/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
One of the best pale ales around... Crisp, hoppy, refreshing... pours a cloudy straw gold, with a heady froth of white foam. Citrus hops and pale malts are perfectly balanced (for me). A great beer!
202 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
One of the best pale ales around... Crisp, hoppy, refreshing... pours a cloudy straw gold, with a heady froth of white foam. Citrus hops and pale malts are perfectly balanced (for me). A great beer!
202 characters
4.27/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a very slightly hazy deep yellow with a very well retained fluffy one inch head that left lacing all the way down the glass. Smells of citrus fruits, pine and sweet malts. Tastes of lemon (not puckering variety), pine, sweet malts, floral and earthy notes. Light to medium bodied, medium carbonation, finishes very dry with moderate bitterness.
350 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a very slightly hazy deep yellow with a very well retained fluffy one inch head that left lacing all the way down the glass. Smells of citrus fruits, pine and sweet malts. Tastes of lemon (not puckering variety), pine, sweet malts, floral and earthy notes. Light to medium bodied, medium carbonation, finishes very dry with moderate bitterness.
350 characters
MO from Maine Beer Company
Beer rating:
4.29 out of
5 with
3,329 ratings
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