Ascent Pale Ale
Pikes Peak Brewing Company

 

Impression from a can:

Compares unfavorably to Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale within the realm of Cascade hopped APAs.

C / AVERAGE

 

Canned 7/30/16.
L: clear dark brownish orange. Two finger pure white head that dissipates quickly.
S: Faint tops and a strong malty base.
T: I don't know if I got a bad can, but the overwhelming flavor and finish is Styrofoam. I can feel the slightly hop twinged malt, but I can't get past the styrofoam.
F: watery thin and lightly carbonated.
O: very disappointing. I am here for a contract and renting a half mile from the screw reall from this brewery. I would probably try another variety as a single, but will avoid this one.

 

Orange-ish body with lots carbonation but only a one-finger thick head; sticky globs of lacing along the glass. Very faint, very soft aroma of hops and malt sweetness; some citrus hints. Mild malt sweetness; some tangerine notes; balanced hop bitterness. Medium-heavy body; juicy.

Seems to hit the classic English style of pale ale than the American updated versions. Decent balance across the flavor spectrum. Fine if unremarkable...

 

 

 

 

 

 

on tap at the renegade spot down by the university of denver, unassuming in a pint glass, clear and blonde for the style with only a half inch or so of fading white head, nothing special. the nose though hints at what is indeed a special brew. a sweetness without residual sugar, brilliant. i sense some vanilla among the hops. generic on the grain front, but squarely medium in body and in spectrum, which is a reasonable platform for the flavors that follow. vanilla all the way through an american pale ale that is well hopped, carried citrus, and finishes clean? lovely, unique, and hopefully repeatable. i get tons of vanilla, fresh and only a little sweet, up front, and then the hops, which show a little bit of everything, but the lemon bar dessert baked crumb type thing is robust. i love it. vanilla to balance instead of grain, not sure how they did this, but to my palate it is unmistakable. soft in feel, i seem to say soft a lot in these beer write ups sometimes, but it really is gentle, a sleeping giant maybe, but thats for another pour. exception and surprisingly good beer, among the best pikes peak stuff ive encountered, and one i would definitely buy if it was on shelves around me. bravo for the unexpected!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A- Dark golden in color and slightly cloudy, light white lacing on the glass

S- Light grain and yeast aromas, grassy and some lemon citrus aromas as well

T- Light alcohol flavor to begin, hoppiness rises throughout balanced by light citrus, finish is clean, lightly bitter and slightly dry

M- Dry throughout, moderate carbonation and light body combine for nice drinkability

O- A solid pale ale in my book, plenty of flavor and well balanced