Strong Pale Ale
Marston's Plc.

Strong Pale AleStrong Pale Ale
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From:
Marston's Plc.
 
England, United Kingdom
Style:
English Strong Ale
ABV:
6.2%
Score:
77
Avg:
3.27 | pDev: 17.74%
Reviews:
32
Ratings:
46
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 04, 2016
Added:
Feb 14, 2002
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  7
No description / notes.
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Ratings by stagger:
Photo of stagger
Reviewed by stagger from Canada (AB)

2.16/5  rDev -33.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
This beer looks great off the bat - that's why I bought it, I guess. Shows you can't always judge a beer by its label (to coin a phrase).

A - beautiful cloudy golden amber. Pours nicely, with a decent fluffy head on it. Very little lacing as it goes on, however (that's why it's a 4 instead of a 4.5). Nice label, nice bottle.

S - not a lot for such a flavour-packed beer. But my smeller's busted and can't be trusted.

T - Starts off really nicely with a hit of sweet caramel malts. Then BAM! A foul, bitter, almost plastic taste gets you. And lingers. And lingers. I'm thinking about a Coors Light to wash the aftertaste of this Marston's out of my mouth. Alcohol is present, too - not really what you're looking for out of a beer that's only mildly strong.

M - The right amount of carbonation - maybe just a bit sharp - finishes with an almost slimy, sticky feel. Almost unpleasant, but not as unpleasant as the taste.

D - I didn't have to pour it down the sink, but I'm not heading back to the store for another one, either.
Mar 26, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.4 by Foley67 from Scotland

Mar 04, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by FCox143 from England

Feb 16, 2016
Photo of Dentist666
Reviewed by Dentist666 from Russian Federation

2.96/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Poured into pint.
Hard pour provides clear light copper/golden beer with thick off-white head, moderate retention.
Smell - metallic, fruity/marmalade notes.
Taste - rough, malts, fruity esters, too much alcohol at the first sip.
Medium body and carbonation, dry on palate.
Sounds like ordinary poor strong lager, save for definite ale character, not ESA.
Jan 31, 2016
 
Rated: 2.94 by EDABarret from Czech Republic

Dec 03, 2015
Photo of DypsoBubble
Reviewed by DypsoBubble from England

3.23/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Smells dry, malty with a hint of vinegar. On tasting, it is not that dry but quite sweet. Has a rich mouth feel from start to finish. Just the right amount of gas. Not that hoppy more malty. A touch of coffee, grapefruit, cocoa and orange. Enjoyable but lacking wow factor and lacks a fresh vibrancy.
Sep 14, 2015
Photo of josanguapo
Reviewed by josanguapo from Spain

3.08/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
From hipercor, last unit. In Duvel glass. Waiting children sleep time whilr watching pride & prejudice (bbc) and browsing hiposurinatum. Very balanced, although it doesnt stand out for anything. Avg 3.38

12 Oct 2016: From Hipercor last units. In Ikea's pint glass. Watching Comando Actualidad: El Imperio de la Cerveza. Its more sweet than I remembered and the alcohol more noticeable. The feeling is still pleasant though
Jul 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by Nine_Tails from Spain

Mar 29, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by bmaggot from Lithuania

Dec 15, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by lmaduells from Spain

Nov 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Bokanovski from Spain

Oct 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Arriskuwonder from Spain

Apr 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by MisledTitan from England

Mar 22, 2014
 
Rated: 1 by Misterefe from Spain

Sep 06, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Robert-Simmonds from England

Jun 12, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by spycow from Illinois

Mar 10, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by vinicole from England

Feb 24, 2013
Photo of EmperorBevis
Reviewed by EmperorBevis from England

3.12/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours amber body with very flimsy quickly disappearing white head.
Big citrus hops on the nose, hints of caramel and a faint aroma of pewter.
No mistaking the strength very boozy. Brown sugar and ethanol tastes rule. Glimpsing citrus and toffee tastes all crushed by alcohol which at least keep it bitter and tart.
Thick chewy mouthfeel, quaffable? No Way!
Enjoyable but huge booziness.
Jul 12, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by adamcthomp from Spain

Apr 17, 2012
Photo of jazzyjeff13
Reviewed by jazzyjeff13 from England

2.88/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A 500ml clear glass bottle with a BB of Dec 2011.

Poured into a Sam Smith's pint glass. A hazy orange-amber hue with medium carbonation and evidence of bottle conditioning. Forms a small head of white foam that disappears rapidly. Aroma of fruity yeast esters underpinned by stewed hops and a hint of roasted malt. Notes of bananas and diacetyl.

Tastes of yeast esters and malt with a stewed hop bitterness. Slightly sweet and dry. Notes of bananas, fruity yeast and stewed hops. A harsh, faintly solvent-like finish. Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly, but a bit watery. Pretty astringent; leaves the palate dry. Aftertaste of bitter yeasty notes.

A fairly average strong ale. Very yeasty and slightly sweet, but lacking in malt flavours and aroma. I guess I'd expect the style to have a darker and more distinct malt character. No aromatic hops, and the bitterness is dry and harsh. There are certainly better beers out there - give it a miss.
Dec 20, 2011
Strong Pale Ale from Marston's Plc.
Beer rating: 77 out of 100 with 46 ratings