First Drop
Upper Pass Beer Company
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Pale Ale - American
Ranked #104 - ABV:
- 5.9%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #3,595 - Avg:
- 4.13 | pDev: 6.78%
- Reviews:
- 59
- Ratings:
- From:
- Upper Pass Beer Company
- Vermont, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 8
- Gots
- 77
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
Reviews: 59
| Ratings: 274
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afkIPAs from New Jersey
4.44/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Upper Pass receives some Upper level scores on all categories for First Drop. It surely Passes with flying colors and Drops itself very close to my First overall spot.
This IPA pours a burnt gold. It is super hazy and murky. A hefty head lasts for quite a while and leaves a true coating of lacing down the glass.
Lovely citrus notes. I get a lot of orange and pineapple. First Drop has the bright and spicy smell that you don't always get out of these murky opaque IPAs.
The taste follows the smell very fittingly. A strong bite from pineapple or grapefruit and a full bodied feel of lighter citrus like orange. There are great earthy notes too. Definitely a bite piney.
First Drop has the right amount of carbonation. A medium feel and a relatively smooth aftertaste for its look and flavor.
This IPA was recommended to me by a bartender of 163 Taproom in Lake George, NY. I had never seen nor heard of this brewery before but I gladly tried it. All I can say is "Thank you, April!" for putting me onto one of my new favorites!
Dec 09, 2020
4.44/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Upper Pass receives some Upper level scores on all categories for First Drop. It surely Passes with flying colors and Drops itself very close to my First overall spot.
This IPA pours a burnt gold. It is super hazy and murky. A hefty head lasts for quite a while and leaves a true coating of lacing down the glass.
Lovely citrus notes. I get a lot of orange and pineapple. First Drop has the bright and spicy smell that you don't always get out of these murky opaque IPAs.
The taste follows the smell very fittingly. A strong bite from pineapple or grapefruit and a full bodied feel of lighter citrus like orange. There are great earthy notes too. Definitely a bite piney.
First Drop has the right amount of carbonation. A medium feel and a relatively smooth aftertaste for its look and flavor.
This IPA was recommended to me by a bartender of 163 Taproom in Lake George, NY. I had never seen nor heard of this brewery before but I gladly tried it. All I can say is "Thank you, April!" for putting me onto one of my new favorites!
Dec 09, 2020
johnnnniee from New Hampshire
4.06/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Worthy Kitchen
Lightly dingy dark golden color with a thin off white head that dissipates quickly. Citrus tropical earth and light pine with some light bready malt to back it up. tasty
Mar 02, 2020
4.06/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Worthy Kitchen
Lightly dingy dark golden color with a thin off white head that dissipates quickly. Citrus tropical earth and light pine with some light bready malt to back it up. tasty
Mar 02, 2020
justintcoons from Pennsylvania
3.76/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
16 oz can poured into an imperial can-shaped glass.
Appearance
Hazed-out, murky rusty-blonde. Near 2 fingers of loose head.
Nose
Mango, passion fruit, dank, and blueberry.
Taste
Smoked pine needles, earthy dank, and forest floor. Grapefruit pith and light passion fruit. Dried biscuit and slight caramel.
Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, crisp, moderately bitter, and dry.
Overall
Oddly enjoyable smoky pine taste.
Feb 11, 2020
3.76/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
16 oz can poured into an imperial can-shaped glass.
Appearance
Hazed-out, murky rusty-blonde. Near 2 fingers of loose head.
Nose
Mango, passion fruit, dank, and blueberry.
Taste
Smoked pine needles, earthy dank, and forest floor. Grapefruit pith and light passion fruit. Dried biscuit and slight caramel.
Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, crisp, moderately bitter, and dry.
Overall
Oddly enjoyable smoky pine taste.
Feb 11, 2020
CraftKingandQueen
4.36/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Definitely some syrup backbone to this beer not a citrus bomb neipa but more of a pine, malt and def a ton of dry hop. Delicious and a great opposite to your fruity hop bombs with plenty of hop.
Dec 23, 2019
4.36/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Definitely some syrup backbone to this beer not a citrus bomb neipa but more of a pine, malt and def a ton of dry hop. Delicious and a great opposite to your fruity hop bombs with plenty of hop.
Dec 23, 2019
puboflyons from New Hampshire
4.04/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From the 16 oz. can marked 08/13/19. Sampled on August 24, 2019.
These super murky, muddy looking beers tend to turn me off but that is what they are supposed to look like, To me hazy is more like a fog and this looks more like someone dumped milk into a pale ale.
It definitely brings out tropical fruits with meaty type fruits such as cantaloupe, melon, and a little spice over the sourdough bread below.
Medium to full mouthfeel.
Sweetness begins the flavor but the fruity bitterness erupts at the end with a slight spiced ending. Another one that hop heads should enjoy.
Aug 25, 2019
4.04/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From the 16 oz. can marked 08/13/19. Sampled on August 24, 2019.
These super murky, muddy looking beers tend to turn me off but that is what they are supposed to look like, To me hazy is more like a fog and this looks more like someone dumped milk into a pale ale.
It definitely brings out tropical fruits with meaty type fruits such as cantaloupe, melon, and a little spice over the sourdough bread below.
Medium to full mouthfeel.
Sweetness begins the flavor but the fruity bitterness erupts at the end with a slight spiced ending. Another one that hop heads should enjoy.
Aug 25, 2019
musicsherlock from New York
4.44/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Date on can 5/7/19
Hazy straw colores w billowy white head 4.25
Smells of pineapple when opened can, apricots and pine from glass 4.5
Tastes like it smells, citrus hops a bit of pine back bone. 4.5
On the thinner side for mouthfeel, nice and dry though. Tickles the palate 4
Overall an excellent APA, will seek out more from this brewery 4.5
Aug 21, 2019
4.44/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Date on can 5/7/19
Hazy straw colores w billowy white head 4.25
Smells of pineapple when opened can, apricots and pine from glass 4.5
Tastes like it smells, citrus hops a bit of pine back bone. 4.5
On the thinner side for mouthfeel, nice and dry though. Tickles the palate 4
Overall an excellent APA, will seek out more from this brewery 4.5
Aug 21, 2019
hopsputin from New Jersey
3.83/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: cloudy muted matte orange color with a hint of light brown. 1 finger tan head
S: mango, pineapple, creamsicle, sweet orange, strawberry, crackers, and some earthy grass
T: pineapple, bitter grapefruit, pine resin, and grass upfront. Mild clementine and herbal bitterness behind that. A touch of apricot follows that dry crackers. Finish is bitter with mild fruit
M: medium mouthfeel with low carbonation and a little hop burn
O: an ok IPA. The bitterness is a bit too one-dimensional, but it’s not bad otherwise.
Aug 16, 2019
3.83/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: cloudy muted matte orange color with a hint of light brown. 1 finger tan head
S: mango, pineapple, creamsicle, sweet orange, strawberry, crackers, and some earthy grass
T: pineapple, bitter grapefruit, pine resin, and grass upfront. Mild clementine and herbal bitterness behind that. A touch of apricot follows that dry crackers. Finish is bitter with mild fruit
M: medium mouthfeel with low carbonation and a little hop burn
O: an ok IPA. The bitterness is a bit too one-dimensional, but it’s not bad otherwise.
Aug 16, 2019
TheDoctor from Canada (QC)
3.62/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Serving: Can
Canned: May-28-2019 (Consumed Jul-17)
Body the color of Werther's original, cloudy, finger of fizzy dirty-white head. Doesn't look at all like what one would expect and likewise does not look particularly good. Decent retention; no lacing. The aroma is vaguely fruity with some definite grassiness and toasty malt. The flavor is mainly a bracing herbal forest floor bite and some spicy malt and a touch of caramel. It is very dry and quenching with active carbonation.
I get the impression that the beer I am drinking is not the beer this was supposed to be (but maybe my perception was poisoned by what xPAs have turned into and what the can/description implied to me). It smells fairly fruity but on the whole is more reminiscent of a classic APA. Everything is kind of muddled and brown, though due to the fact that regardless of what they were going for it is not an undrinkable mess. If I was looking at it like SNPA it is hideous, out of balance/hop character and not malty enough. If I was looking at it like a colorful tallboy with a million DH additions I'd say there isn't enough fruitiness, it's ugly and the malt was too strong. As it is, it was a relatively tasty beer with a little bite that seemed to be halfway between the two extremes.
3...3.5...3.75...3.5...3.75
Jul 18, 2019
3.62/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Serving: Can
Canned: May-28-2019 (Consumed Jul-17)
Body the color of Werther's original, cloudy, finger of fizzy dirty-white head. Doesn't look at all like what one would expect and likewise does not look particularly good. Decent retention; no lacing. The aroma is vaguely fruity with some definite grassiness and toasty malt. The flavor is mainly a bracing herbal forest floor bite and some spicy malt and a touch of caramel. It is very dry and quenching with active carbonation.
I get the impression that the beer I am drinking is not the beer this was supposed to be (but maybe my perception was poisoned by what xPAs have turned into and what the can/description implied to me). It smells fairly fruity but on the whole is more reminiscent of a classic APA. Everything is kind of muddled and brown, though due to the fact that regardless of what they were going for it is not an undrinkable mess. If I was looking at it like SNPA it is hideous, out of balance/hop character and not malty enough. If I was looking at it like a colorful tallboy with a million DH additions I'd say there isn't enough fruitiness, it's ugly and the malt was too strong. As it is, it was a relatively tasty beer with a little bite that seemed to be halfway between the two extremes.
3...3.5...3.75...3.5...3.75
Jul 18, 2019
dbl_delta from Pennsylvania
4.02/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can dated 04/25/19 into pint glass. Pours an opaque dark amber with a coarse, persistent head. Initial impression is a surprisingly clean grapefruit, pine, mango, and orange experience - from the pour, I was expecting a very thick, sticky NEIPA. Not bitter, but certainly not sweet. Some caramel, but way in the background. Mouthfeel is much lighter than expected, although certainly not "light" in a derogatory sense. Carbonation is perfect. Finish is clean with more citrus, and a slight residual bitterness. First beer from this brewery, and it was quite enjoyable!
Jun 06, 2019
4.02/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can dated 04/25/19 into pint glass. Pours an opaque dark amber with a coarse, persistent head. Initial impression is a surprisingly clean grapefruit, pine, mango, and orange experience - from the pour, I was expecting a very thick, sticky NEIPA. Not bitter, but certainly not sweet. Some caramel, but way in the background. Mouthfeel is much lighter than expected, although certainly not "light" in a derogatory sense. Carbonation is perfect. Finish is clean with more citrus, and a slight residual bitterness. First beer from this brewery, and it was quite enjoyable!
Jun 06, 2019
Bluecrow from New York
4.16/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
-cloudy yellow-orange can pour with a just a wisp of visible carbonation. The aroma is light citrus. The flavor is bright up front with melon, pineapple and spruce hop notes. The sweetness is low and the hop bitterness is moderate. This is a flavorful, light-bodied APA.
May 13, 2019
4.16/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
-cloudy yellow-orange can pour with a just a wisp of visible carbonation. The aroma is light citrus. The flavor is bright up front with melon, pineapple and spruce hop notes. The sweetness is low and the hop bitterness is moderate. This is a flavorful, light-bodied APA.
May 13, 2019
CanConPhilly from Pennsylvania
3.82/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
L - massive yellowish head atop a brownish-orange body.
S - sweet orange, melon, pineapple.
T - orange, grapefruit, pineapple, cotton candy. Dirty, sweet middle. Moderate-low bitterness. Moderate sweetness. Low booziness.
F - medium-light body with average carb.
O - I liked this way better on draft a few years ago in Vermont.
Apr 20, 2019
3.82/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
L - massive yellowish head atop a brownish-orange body.
S - sweet orange, melon, pineapple.
T - orange, grapefruit, pineapple, cotton candy. Dirty, sweet middle. Moderate-low bitterness. Moderate sweetness. Low booziness.
F - medium-light body with average carb.
O - I liked this way better on draft a few years ago in Vermont.
Apr 20, 2019
jpbrooklyn from New Jersey
4.18/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned 3/12/2019, drinking 4/11. Pours a dark honey look, nice head. Wish there was a bit more going on in the nose. Great PA though in that there’s a lovely malt presence you don’t usually find in a NE-style PA; dark citrus and fresh pine; and it’s in the finish where you get a lovely hint of biscuit/malt. At 5.9 very drinkable and when I see this again, will def pick up more. Def worth your time IMO.
Apr 12, 2019
4.18/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned 3/12/2019, drinking 4/11. Pours a dark honey look, nice head. Wish there was a bit more going on in the nose. Great PA though in that there’s a lovely malt presence you don’t usually find in a NE-style PA; dark citrus and fresh pine; and it’s in the finish where you get a lovely hint of biscuit/malt. At 5.9 very drinkable and when I see this again, will def pick up more. Def worth your time IMO.
Apr 12, 2019
Fitzy01 from Maine
3.92/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Decent New England pale ale. Nice dark hazy look with minimal head. Not much on the nose but some breads and tropical fruit. Taste of citrus pine resin. Feel is medium. Overall a good brew.
Jan 05, 2019
3.92/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Decent New England pale ale. Nice dark hazy look with minimal head. Not much on the nose but some breads and tropical fruit. Taste of citrus pine resin. Feel is medium. Overall a good brew.
Jan 05, 2019
deleted_user_1111368 from Delaware
4.24/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned 10-22-18
L: Honey, hazy.
S: WTH.. there is so much going on. Citrus and tropical..earthy and light pine.
T: Matches the smell.. very well presented across the citrus spectrum. Light malt and a tad salty? There's also a mild sweetness that rides along, but it doesn't intrude.
F: Medium, smooth, with low carbonation.
O: What a great PA. With so much ummphh going on, I'm really surprised it's only 5.9%
Nov 18, 2018
4.24/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned 10-22-18
L: Honey, hazy.
S: WTH.. there is so much going on. Citrus and tropical..earthy and light pine.
T: Matches the smell.. very well presented across the citrus spectrum. Light malt and a tad salty? There's also a mild sweetness that rides along, but it doesn't intrude.
F: Medium, smooth, with low carbonation.
O: What a great PA. With so much ummphh going on, I'm really surprised it's only 5.9%
Nov 18, 2018
brentk56 from North Carolina
4.02/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy amber color with a two finger head; good retention and splashy lacing
Smell: Somewhat dank, with hints of caramel and graham cracker underneath; papaya, pineapple, wintergreen and pine tones waft
Taste: Pineapple forward, with papaya, caramel and graham cracker balance; dank and piney, through the middle, with a balanced finish that features some wintergreen in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: A bit more malt balance than I see from other NE style beers
Oct 28, 2018
4.02/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy amber color with a two finger head; good retention and splashy lacing
Smell: Somewhat dank, with hints of caramel and graham cracker underneath; papaya, pineapple, wintergreen and pine tones waft
Taste: Pineapple forward, with papaya, caramel and graham cracker balance; dank and piney, through the middle, with a balanced finish that features some wintergreen in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: A bit more malt balance than I see from other NE style beers
Oct 28, 2018
Holderness from Massachusetts
4.24/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned today!
L — Classic NEIPA orange juice haze with a finger and a half of soapy off-white head produced with aerated pour. Some retention and spotty lacing
S — Zesty grapefruit&orange, sweaty pineapple, concord grape, lychee, kiwi
T — Yellow grapefruit pith, crackery malt, green mango, touch of leafy earthiness, lemon zest
F — Medium- mouthfeel, medium carb. Nice and easy drinking with minimal residual bitterness
O — It may just be the freshness, but I honestly like this slightly more than Cloud Drop, which I found a little too bracingly bitter for my tastes. This has a nice balance to it
85/100
Oct 24, 2018
4.24/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned today!
L — Classic NEIPA orange juice haze with a finger and a half of soapy off-white head produced with aerated pour. Some retention and spotty lacing
S — Zesty grapefruit&orange, sweaty pineapple, concord grape, lychee, kiwi
T — Yellow grapefruit pith, crackery malt, green mango, touch of leafy earthiness, lemon zest
F — Medium- mouthfeel, medium carb. Nice and easy drinking with minimal residual bitterness
O — It may just be the freshness, but I honestly like this slightly more than Cloud Drop, which I found a little too bracingly bitter for my tastes. This has a nice balance to it
85/100
Oct 24, 2018
Greywulfken from New York
4.21/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Super flavorful and juicy APA, but tight enough around the edges to avoid being too much like an IPA... For an IPA fan, a real nice APA... double dry hopped featuring Azacca, Centennial, Mosaic, and Citra hops; canned 7/26/18...
Medium gold, juice-looking with a basically opaque haze and a few fingers of off-white foam... Moderate-to-mild sweetness with fruit suggestions both tropical and orchard, including notes of apricot, papaya, and mango; but this dries out on the finish, with a mild bitterness... Fairly full-bodied for a 5.9% abv APA, with a bit of chewy fruit flesh and tacky shellac lingering behind...
Surprised and impressed...
Aug 25, 2018
4.21/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Super flavorful and juicy APA, but tight enough around the edges to avoid being too much like an IPA... For an IPA fan, a real nice APA... double dry hopped featuring Azacca, Centennial, Mosaic, and Citra hops; canned 7/26/18...
Medium gold, juice-looking with a basically opaque haze and a few fingers of off-white foam... Moderate-to-mild sweetness with fruit suggestions both tropical and orchard, including notes of apricot, papaya, and mango; but this dries out on the finish, with a mild bitterness... Fairly full-bodied for a 5.9% abv APA, with a bit of chewy fruit flesh and tacky shellac lingering behind...
Surprised and impressed...
Aug 25, 2018
WunderLlama from Massachusetts
4.03/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can dated 6.18.18, opened 7.20.18
Poured into a glass, two finger off white thick, rich, dense creamy foam head
Hazy orange juice liquid, sticky lacings
Aroma is tropical fruits, citrus orange
Taste is citrus hops
Low sudsing
Good beer
Jul 20, 2018
4.03/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can dated 6.18.18, opened 7.20.18
Poured into a glass, two finger off white thick, rich, dense creamy foam head
Hazy orange juice liquid, sticky lacings
Aroma is tropical fruits, citrus orange
Taste is citrus hops
Low sudsing
Good beer
Jul 20, 2018
CraftConsumer_97 from New York
3.69/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Opaque, almost apple-cider like color to it. Poures with a quarter inch foam layer that dies down into your typical thin layer that leaves a band of lace around the edge of the glass.
The taste is stronger than the aroma. Some fruits come through, with a subtle earthy flavor that mutes the tropical fruity flavors. It has kind of a bready, somewhat malty essence to the taste.
Medium bodied feel to it. It's only 5.7% alchohol (low for an IPA) but feels like more so drink slowly ;-)
Jul 13, 2018
3.69/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Opaque, almost apple-cider like color to it. Poures with a quarter inch foam layer that dies down into your typical thin layer that leaves a band of lace around the edge of the glass.
The taste is stronger than the aroma. Some fruits come through, with a subtle earthy flavor that mutes the tropical fruity flavors. It has kind of a bready, somewhat malty essence to the taste.
Medium bodied feel to it. It's only 5.7% alchohol (low for an IPA) but feels like more so drink slowly ;-)
Jul 13, 2018
Stevend7627 from Vermont
5/5 rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
One of my favorite VT beers of all time. These guys know how to brew a fucking beer.
Actually 5.9% BTW
Also BTW, talking about the "mouth feel" of a beer is fucking ridiculous. Or the look. I don't give a shit how my beer "looks". Is it good? Fucking great. Could be purple. I don't care.
Jun 29, 2018
5/5 rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
One of my favorite VT beers of all time. These guys know how to brew a fucking beer.
Actually 5.9% BTW
Also BTW, talking about the "mouth feel" of a beer is fucking ridiculous. Or the look. I don't give a shit how my beer "looks". Is it good? Fucking great. Could be purple. I don't care.
Jun 29, 2018
daudelin2000 from Vermont
4.14/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a very cloudy, dark gold to orange color with a decent white head that dissipated quickly. Aroma is subdued slightly, especially for a double dry hopped beer. Smells slightly tropical, but I had to really search for it.
The taste is stronger than the aroma. Tropical fruits come through with a bready malt backbone. Teeters towards almost tasting like a good home brew which isn't really a bad thing.
Mouthfeel is really nice! Creamy and soft. In the medium range. Bitterness sneaks up on you a little. Drinks more like a 7% or more beer rather than under 6%.
Overall, I really like this beer. It didn't blow me away like Cloud Drop, but definitely furthered my excitement for Upper Pass and I can't wait to try other beers from then.
Apr 19, 2018
4.14/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a very cloudy, dark gold to orange color with a decent white head that dissipated quickly. Aroma is subdued slightly, especially for a double dry hopped beer. Smells slightly tropical, but I had to really search for it.
The taste is stronger than the aroma. Tropical fruits come through with a bready malt backbone. Teeters towards almost tasting like a good home brew which isn't really a bad thing.
Mouthfeel is really nice! Creamy and soft. In the medium range. Bitterness sneaks up on you a little. Drinks more like a 7% or more beer rather than under 6%.
Overall, I really like this beer. It didn't blow me away like Cloud Drop, but definitely furthered my excitement for Upper Pass and I can't wait to try other beers from then.
Apr 19, 2018
EMH73 from New York
3.96/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours an opaque dark orange with a quarter inch head that dissipates to a ring quickly and leaves blotchy lacing down the glass. Smells of tropical and citrus fruits and pine. Tastes of pine, grass, under-ripe pineapple and mango, tangerine, grapefruit rind, apricot and a hint of sweet malt. Very earthy with a lingering dry and bitter mouth feel. Light to medium bodied and lightly carbonated.
Mar 25, 2018
3.96/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours an opaque dark orange with a quarter inch head that dissipates to a ring quickly and leaves blotchy lacing down the glass. Smells of tropical and citrus fruits and pine. Tastes of pine, grass, under-ripe pineapple and mango, tangerine, grapefruit rind, apricot and a hint of sweet malt. Very earthy with a lingering dry and bitter mouth feel. Light to medium bodied and lightly carbonated.
Mar 25, 2018
WaffleNugget from Vermont
4.12/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Look: A deep gold, bronze, orange. Very minimal head - about 1/3 of an inch.
Smell: At first there are some tropical fruit elements. Throughout the course of the beer, though, there's a noticeable sweet smell.
T: Noticable Mosaic hops with an earthy herbal taste. A bit of citrus but much more of the pine taste to me. A bit more bitter than several ~6% APAs out there. Little tropical fruit, too.
F: Medium to low carbonation. Very smooth.
O: A strong APA, especially for a small brewery just down the road in Tunbridge! On par with several other high quality APAs with a nice blend of tropical fruit and pine. Very smooth, easy to drink.
Mar 05, 2018
4.12/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Look: A deep gold, bronze, orange. Very minimal head - about 1/3 of an inch.
Smell: At first there are some tropical fruit elements. Throughout the course of the beer, though, there's a noticeable sweet smell.
T: Noticable Mosaic hops with an earthy herbal taste. A bit of citrus but much more of the pine taste to me. A bit more bitter than several ~6% APAs out there. Little tropical fruit, too.
F: Medium to low carbonation. Very smooth.
O: A strong APA, especially for a small brewery just down the road in Tunbridge! On par with several other high quality APAs with a nice blend of tropical fruit and pine. Very smooth, easy to drink.
Mar 05, 2018
frozyn from New York
3.73/5 rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep orange color with a frothy white head that recedes to a thin film and a ring, leaving fair lacing behind on the glass.
Tropical fruit – mainly mango – greets the nose. An expanded aroma of slight stone fruit or peach or apricot and tangerine are added to the mix. Additional warmth brings a slight dankness to it. A strong inhale pulls out some fresh, light malt notes.
Flavor follows closely to the aroma. I also get some resinous pine on the back of the sip. Light maltiness on the mid-tongue as well.
Light to medium body, resin, nicely carbonated. Some hop zing keeps the soft mouthfeel from falling into pillowy territory.
Well, this is a nice beer. I’m not overly impressed by it though. I wonder if my expectations got in the way? I purchased this at CBC in Waterbury, VT at the recommendation of one of the staff there, so I think I was expecting something really impressive. Instead, what I find is a nice beer that I would gladly drink multiple of. I can’t help but think of Augie Carton's differentiation between drinking beers and statement beers, and this is definitely in the former category, in a very nice way.
Mar 04, 2018
3.73/5 rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep orange color with a frothy white head that recedes to a thin film and a ring, leaving fair lacing behind on the glass.
Tropical fruit – mainly mango – greets the nose. An expanded aroma of slight stone fruit or peach or apricot and tangerine are added to the mix. Additional warmth brings a slight dankness to it. A strong inhale pulls out some fresh, light malt notes.
Flavor follows closely to the aroma. I also get some resinous pine on the back of the sip. Light maltiness on the mid-tongue as well.
Light to medium body, resin, nicely carbonated. Some hop zing keeps the soft mouthfeel from falling into pillowy territory.
Well, this is a nice beer. I’m not overly impressed by it though. I wonder if my expectations got in the way? I purchased this at CBC in Waterbury, VT at the recommendation of one of the staff there, so I think I was expecting something really impressive. Instead, what I find is a nice beer that I would gladly drink multiple of. I can’t help but think of Augie Carton's differentiation between drinking beers and statement beers, and this is definitely in the former category, in a very nice way.
Mar 04, 2018
SpeedwayJim from New York
4.29/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
16oz. can into Night Shift stemware.
Nose is papaya, mango, cane sugar and dank citrus. Fragrant with a great fruit sweetness. Beer opens pine, grass, papaya, pineapple and cane sugar. There's a bright hop bitterness up front with tropical fruit flavors slowly working their way in to create a nice balance. This is really excellent. Body is light to medium with moderate to low carbonation. Slightly prickly in the mouth and goes down soft with a messy, lingering, quenching finish. Incredibly drinkable.
A really impressive beer. Excellent balance with great hop and fruit flavors all around that is tied together masterfully with a feel that makes you go back for more.
Jan 10, 2018
4.29/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
16oz. can into Night Shift stemware.
Nose is papaya, mango, cane sugar and dank citrus. Fragrant with a great fruit sweetness. Beer opens pine, grass, papaya, pineapple and cane sugar. There's a bright hop bitterness up front with tropical fruit flavors slowly working their way in to create a nice balance. This is really excellent. Body is light to medium with moderate to low carbonation. Slightly prickly in the mouth and goes down soft with a messy, lingering, quenching finish. Incredibly drinkable.
A really impressive beer. Excellent balance with great hop and fruit flavors all around that is tied together masterfully with a feel that makes you go back for more.
Jan 10, 2018
First Drop from Upper Pass Beer Company
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
274 ratings
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