Brewer's Series American Pale Ale
Monteith's Brewing Co.

doktorhops from Australia

2.74/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

After having Monteith’s shite Southern Pale Ale I was a bit wary about trying another brew from the seminal NZ brewer - you know that old chestnut “once bitten, twice shy”, yeah that one. Well I must be a glutton for punishment (either that or a dyed-in-the-wool bargain hunter). Here’s another APA from Monteith’s with my second favourite hop in it: Citra. Here’s me hoping they didn’t balls it up again! [I mean really how hard is it to brew a decent Pale Ale these days? Just put a dump truck load of hops in the dry hopping and be done with it man!].

Poured from a 330ml bottle into a nonic pint.

A: Virtually clear (with the ever so slight of hazed) deep amber body with a reasonably dense 1 cm white head... I’m concerned the look of this beer is going to be its best quality. 8/10.

S: Lemony Citra notes present in limited quantity - I mean if you’ve ever tried Oakham’s Citra: This brew is an example of excellent Citra notes - however this Monteith’s is definitely lacking a hearty Citra wallop. Other than that there is a worryingly bold malt character with biscuit and caramel surprisingly overpowering the hops! Herbal notes in the background. Disappointing overall. 5/10.

T: Overall a big malt bomb - for a reputed “West Coast American Pale Ale” this is a sacrilegious offence. Some light weedy/herbal/citric hop bitterness towards the finish but ultimately this is one of the biggest travesties of an APA I’ve had in a long time... since the Southern Pale Ale last year actually, strike two Monteith’s! 5/10.

M: Medium bodied with a slight oiliness and a light but dense carbonation - at least they got one other thing right. 8/10.

D: Wow, what a terribly executed brew from Monteith’s, seriously what happened to them - I do recall their beers being somewhat good, or perhaps my palate has become more refined from drinking heaps of awesome APAs? Either way this is going to be a real shitty 6-pack to finish - it’s like amateur hour here, stupid Monteith’s, if I ever consider buying another one of their beers again remind me to kick myself in my ass... thanks peeps. Some constructive critique for Monteith’s: If you’re going to brew a Pale Ale that is a malt bomb call it an “English Pale Ale” - there’s some free advice. 5/10.

Food match: Doc’s classic response for beers he deems shit: Fish & Chips, or in Kiwi: Fush & Chups, chair bra.

Jun 11, 2016

chogm54 from Australia

2.75/5  rDev -6.8%

500ml bottle, poured into a 500ml glass. BB date of Nov 2014. Label mentions that the beer contains Citra hops.

A - rust coloured, pours a thin bubbly white head that disappears quickly, leaving a small lacing

S - hoppy smell with citrus (orange) and grain, with a faint metallic odour. Overall not too strong

T - malty with some citrus hint at first, then the bitterness slowly ramps up towards a slightly tarty, astringent finish. The hops aren't as strong as other APAs

M - this is what lets it down - feels very watery, with lower carbonation then it should. The texture is not as dry as other APAs.

O - there isn't much more than the tarty bitterness with this one - and it feels a bit too much watery. But it is drinkable. I would have given it more points had it not been so expensive.

Sep 06, 2014