Bass Pale Ale
Bass Brewers Limited

Bass Pale AleBass Pale Ale
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From:
Bass Brewers Limited
 
England, United Kingdom
Style:
English Pale Ale
Ranked #175
ABV:
5.1%
Score:
77
Ranked #27,260
Avg:
3.35 | pDev: 16.72%
Reviews:
1,132
Ratings:
2,841
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 04, 2024
Added:
Mar 17, 2001
Wants:
  47
Gots:
  395
A classic pale ale. This version of Bass for the North American market at 5% to comply with USA ale regulations.
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Ratings by woodychandler:
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Here is a bottle that I CANnot believe that I have never reviewed before now! There was a bar down the street from my uncle's apartment in the Noe Valley area of S. F. in 1988 - '89 that always had this on-tap and I used to frequent them when in the neighborhood. I guess that it is time to get reacquainted.

From the bottle: "The World's First Pale Ale."; "In the British Tradition of [undersigned] Wm. Bass & Co.'s"; "Originally Brewed in 1777 by William Bass Brewers Limited, Burton-on-Trent, England"; "This Fine Pale Ale has been brewed in the Great British tradition using the finest two-row malted barley"; "Iconography [-] As Bass Pale Ale's popularity grew, unscrupulous imitators used to pass off inferior products as Bass by copying the unique red triangle logo. In 1875, concerned for the reputation of their beloved brew, Bass brewers applied for and were granted England's first registered trademark."

Ah, the nostalgia that goes with Pop!ping this cap. In fact, the cap reads, "Pry Off". Piss off, mate! I'll do as I bloody well please and I won't have some wanker giving me directions! That sorted, it was time for a heavy-handed pour, such as we were accustomed to giving such twats as couldn't keep their blowholes shut. This bit of action got me two fingers of foamy, rocky, tan head with good retention. Color was Deep Amber/Light Copper to Copper (SRM = > 13, < 17) with NE-quality clarity & if I find out who called the coppers on me, there's to be hell to pay! Nose had a tropical fruitiness that is just how I remember it from a lad. Sweet, but with an earthiness borne of English hops. I just broke a cunt's nose with the last bottle, let's see how this one fares. Mouthfeel was medium, but prickly, more carbonated than I remember, although I'm relatively certain that they wouldn't have had it on cask in 1988, or would they? The taste was lightly fruity, but sharpened at the edges by the hops. Speaking of sharpened, the bloke next to me is about to feel the sharpened knife in my hand slipping between his ribs if doesn't give us some room, right?!? Got him sorted, tickety-boo. Now, then, where was I? Oh, yes, the finish. Finish was semi-dry, not really one for sweets, myself. Yeah, it had that fruitiness that I keep coming back to, but the hops held it all in check. Speaking of checks, I've got to pay mine & go! I hear sirens & I feel like I may break out in handcuffs.
Dec 18, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of BurtonRed
Reviewed by BurtonRed from England

3.86/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Smooth with a surprisingly strong bitter finish. This was draught bass 4.4% in a pub near its homeland of Burton-on-Trent. Incredibly satisfying to look at in a glass, with the iconic logo. May be a shadow of its former-great status but it's still a lovely drop in a cozy pub in the early evening. Just needs managing better.
Mar 04, 2024
 
Rated: 3.37 by ajdemma from New York

Dec 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.03 by KeithGreatNorth from Canada (BC)

Nov 26, 2023
 
Rated: 3.23 by TheIPAHunter from California

Oct 13, 2023
 
Rated: 2.17 by ScrantanDave from England

Sep 28, 2023
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.94/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cask at the Roebuck. Light amber pour, creamy off-white head. Bready, caramelly malty aroma. Taste follows, sweet and smooth, malty, caramel. Creamy, mouthfeel. Wow!
Feb 26, 2023
 
Rated: 3.67 by Beergod420 from Michigan

Feb 04, 2023
Photo of 1BrewBacca
Rated by 1BrewBacca from Georgia

3.05/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Looks better than it taste. Quite a watery brew. Nothing special here. Move along.
Jan 13, 2023
Photo of MadMadMike
Reviewed by MadMadMike from France

3.44/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Easy drinking sessionable beer that has a Secret Identity as the bottom layer of a Black & Tan, with fresh Guinness on top. It’s a classic combo that really works.
Bass on its own is OK too.,.
Jan 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.38 by Shotgun420

Aug 11, 2022
 
Rated: 3.71 by JustinTheJuice from Wisconsin

Jun 12, 2022
Photo of tekstr1der
Reviewed by tekstr1der from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Truly enjoy this stuff. It also acted as a gateway to my mid-90s transition to craft beers. Nice colored pour. Smooth, semi-sweet malt backbone. Balance and clean finish. I've heard it's gone downhill due to acquisition, but not sure about that.
May 09, 2022
Photo of asuato
Reviewed by asuato from Arkansas

4.56/5  rDev +36.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
Very smooth for an Ale. Very much a session drinker. No hard flavors, just smooth notes. A hint of sweetness. Has a good head and some lacing on the glass. Don't know why it's not more popular. I go to it often as an after work refreshment.
Apr 02, 2022
Photo of Wattie83
Reviewed by Wattie83 from Pennsylvania

3.14/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Poured from bottle to nonic pint glass. Looks clear copper with a cream colored head. Lots of very active carbonation and the head thins out a bit but remained for a few minutes. Left some nice lacing in the glass. Smell is kind of a generic malt with some grainy, metallic AAL aromas kicking in. Not much there of any note. Taste kind of follows nose with a sort of "beefed up" AAL vibe. It's clean, it's vibrant, but it doesn't give me much depth or hop presence. Really coming off as more of a lager than ale. Feel is light, evervescent, easy to drink. Overall, I bought a 12 pack to mix up black and tans. Worked well for the mix. On its own, Bass isn't one I'd revisit often. Not a bad beer, nor is it offensive, but if I'm looking for an English pale ale, I'd look elsewhere for something a bit more flavorful.
Mar 20, 2022
 
Rated: 4.5 by Dalkri from Massachusetts

Mar 17, 2022
 
Rated: 3.54 by Hazey92 from New York

Mar 12, 2022
 
Rated: 4.09 by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois

Feb 14, 2022
Photo of Tweezerjam
Rated by Tweezerjam from Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
An old favorite of mine. Really malty, not much aroma. Not too complex but delicious.
Jan 03, 2022
Bass Pale Ale from Bass Brewers Limited
Beer rating: 77 out of 100 with 2841 ratings