Beaten Path
Benchmark Brewing

 

 

 

Type: 16-oz. can
Glass: Clear 16-oz. Bruges beer glass
From: Bine & Vine Bottle Shop in Normal Heights (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $3.59 with 10 percent off for a variety 6-pack
Purchased: Aug. 4, 2017
Consumed: Aug. 4, 2017
Reviewed as: American Pale Ale
Misc.: No canned on date

Picked this up along with a bunch of others at Bine & Vine. Had recently heard about this on the San Diego Beer Talk Radio and it sounded pretty damn good. Back of the can read, “This extra pale ale is made with just five ingredients: pale malt, oats, water, cal ale yeast and Citra hops. It’s a simple recipe but the result is something special. A showcase for the bright juicy flavors and aroma of the Citra hops. This beer is in a can, although it’s best enjoyed from a glass. The can makes for easy travel.” Was not a fan of the price point at $3.99 for one (got mine with the 10 percent discount). Had previous reviewed two from Benchmark, giving Offsides a 3.71 and San Diego 71 IIPA a 2.48. Also on Untappd had rated their IPA a 3.50, Table Beer at 3.50 and Oatmeal Stout a 4.0. Hoping for this to be much better.

Poured a hazy, straw color with three fingers of uneven, rocky, off-white head. Tons of bubble streams coming up from the bottom of the glass. Excellent uneven foamy lacing. Outstanding retention. (Sight - 4.00)

Smelled pleasant whiffs of sugary Citra, floral, guava, mango, pineapple, spoiled pear, hints of peach and some melon. Much better notes out of the can, obviously. (Smell - 4.25)

Wow, really liked the taste initially. Like the can reads, “It’s a simple recipe but the result is something special.” Got dry-hopped Citra, guava, pineapple, buttery malts, pear, apricot and grass. (Taste - 4.00)

Light body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, somewhat juicy finish. Rather thin. (Feel - 3.75)

Really liked this overall, but I feel this could’ve been so much better. Still outstanding though. (Overall - 4.00)

4.04 | 90 | A-

Poured from 16oz can into Benchmark Brewing Siedel mug. Canned yesterday on July 20th 2017.

L: Hazy AF making the yellow color look similar to a banana. Finger of fluffy white head that has great retention. Nice lacing!

S: Lots of tropical hop aroma, pineapple mostly with faint citrus underneath balancing with good maltiness.

T: Well balanced, biscuity like malts are stronger than most Pale Ales yet the hops cut through nicely with the tropical note of pineapple. Quite a tasty brew again from benchmark.

F: Light, crisp, slightly dry grainy finish. Oats lend a nice creamy mouthfeel.

O: Another great beer from Benchmark.

Straw yellow color. Initial smell is hoppy. Initial taste hoppy and crisp. Really nice hops. Gotta love citra hops. This is sort of like saint archer pale ale. Only issue is that the finish is really bland and watery