Pale Ale | Ithaca Beer Company
Brewed by:
Ithaca Beer Company
New York, United States
ithacabeer.com
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.80%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 10-18-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 260 | Reviews: 143
Reviews by Westyn:
3.25/5 rDev -7.9%
Westyn, Aug 06, 2014
More User Reviews:
3.8/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On tap at Macgregors Canadaigua,poured a copper/amber with a slight head that hung on for quite awhile a malty,fruity aroma of some orange and toasted malt.A more malt accented pale I think lightly sweet caramel malt along with some orange and peach coming thru with a late dryness keeping it fairly balanced in the end.A drinkable ale not outstanding or earth shatttering but I could sit down on the stool and have a few and not complain.
439 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On tap at Macgregors Canadaigua,poured a copper/amber with a slight head that hung on for quite awhile a malty,fruity aroma of some orange and toasted malt.A more malt accented pale I think lightly sweet caramel malt along with some orange and peach coming thru with a late dryness keeping it fairly balanced in the end.A drinkable ale not outstanding or earth shatttering but I could sit down on the stool and have a few and not complain.
439 characters
3.37/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Presentation: 12oz brown bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Pours a fairly bright amber with a nice two finger white foam white, which sadly falls flat within minutes.
Smell: Soft floral, fruity peach aroma. Dry grain in the background.
Taste: Smooth mouthfeel of creamy carbonation and sweet pale malts. Malt sweetness is even and a bit honey-ish (raw) in character, but the complex fruity flavours of passion fruit, coarse pear and peach lay the flavours main foundation as they complement a slightly rindy, citric hop twang. Some hop spice is thrown into the mix as well. Firm malt body carries thru to the finish, until the beer decides to turn dry and grainy on the palate with light residual malt and hop flavours.
Notes: Not too shabby, pretty flavourful, but also very average for the style. Worth a try.
828 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Presentation: 12oz brown bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Pours a fairly bright amber with a nice two finger white foam white, which sadly falls flat within minutes.
Smell: Soft floral, fruity peach aroma. Dry grain in the background.
Taste: Smooth mouthfeel of creamy carbonation and sweet pale malts. Malt sweetness is even and a bit honey-ish (raw) in character, but the complex fruity flavours of passion fruit, coarse pear and peach lay the flavours main foundation as they complement a slightly rindy, citric hop twang. Some hop spice is thrown into the mix as well. Firm malt body carries thru to the finish, until the beer decides to turn dry and grainy on the palate with light residual malt and hop flavours.
Notes: Not too shabby, pretty flavourful, but also very average for the style. Worth a try.
828 characters
3.35/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Presentation: 12oz amber bottle. No freshness dating.
Appearance: Poured a clear, rather pale golden color. Creamy head gave way to just a slight ring around the top of the beer. Minimal lacing.
Smell: Good nose of pine and citrus.
Taste: Smell translates nicely into the taste. Good dose of hoppy bitterness up front that unfortunately falls a little flat on the tail end (especially as the beer warmed). There is a low amount of malty sweetness that is noticed. Flavor becomes almost grain-like at the finish.
Mouthfeel: Fizzy on the palate. Fairly dry finish.
Drinkability: Cold. That's the key word. Don't let this one warm up too much or you'll swear it's a macro you are drinking. A little above average but I'll look for something better.
762 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Presentation: 12oz amber bottle. No freshness dating.
Appearance: Poured a clear, rather pale golden color. Creamy head gave way to just a slight ring around the top of the beer. Minimal lacing.
Smell: Good nose of pine and citrus.
Taste: Smell translates nicely into the taste. Good dose of hoppy bitterness up front that unfortunately falls a little flat on the tail end (especially as the beer warmed). There is a low amount of malty sweetness that is noticed. Flavor becomes almost grain-like at the finish.
Mouthfeel: Fizzy on the palate. Fairly dry finish.
Drinkability: Cold. That's the key word. Don't let this one warm up too much or you'll swear it's a macro you are drinking. A little above average but I'll look for something better.
762 characters
3.23/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Appearance is awesome light pale apricot copper tone with a large bubbly thick rocky off white head great retention equals adequate protein content here, lacing of course with some chunky uneven patterns still looks damn good.
Aroma nice malty sweetness with biscuit and apricot qualities that's weird but accurate of what I'm smelling hops that come off real grassy, floral, and with a touch of grapefruit peel also some yeast notes of fruitiness can also be detected very reserved English style pale not a slap you around APA.
Flavor feels proper in the most English sense of the word, with a delicate yet assertive hop profile moderately strong even bitterness with a touch of perfume, grapefruit and grassy earthiness must I say dirt there you go. Malts express themselves minimally here with biscuit pale malt flavors flowing among the hop bitterness still I come back to the perfume comparison even in flavor.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied a trace of hop oil flowing carbonation sturdy maybe even a bit much for this beer oily feel really sticks around on the palate leaving bitter dryness that could feel unpleasant.
Drinkability a decent American brewed English style pale that I'm not crazy about it's not something I would revisit right away but not a beer I found to be bad it's just okay.
1,308 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Appearance is awesome light pale apricot copper tone with a large bubbly thick rocky off white head great retention equals adequate protein content here, lacing of course with some chunky uneven patterns still looks damn good.
Aroma nice malty sweetness with biscuit and apricot qualities that's weird but accurate of what I'm smelling hops that come off real grassy, floral, and with a touch of grapefruit peel also some yeast notes of fruitiness can also be detected very reserved English style pale not a slap you around APA.
Flavor feels proper in the most English sense of the word, with a delicate yet assertive hop profile moderately strong even bitterness with a touch of perfume, grapefruit and grassy earthiness must I say dirt there you go. Malts express themselves minimally here with biscuit pale malt flavors flowing among the hop bitterness still I come back to the perfume comparison even in flavor.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied a trace of hop oil flowing carbonation sturdy maybe even a bit much for this beer oily feel really sticks around on the palate leaving bitter dryness that could feel unpleasant.
Drinkability a decent American brewed English style pale that I'm not crazy about it's not something I would revisit right away but not a beer I found to be bad it's just okay.
1,308 characters
3.6/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A nice golden yellow topped with a full finger white head fills the glass. the head eventually melts to very thick lacing.
Aroma sweet pale malt and sort of orange peel hops.
Flavor is bright and clean. Sweet pale malt with a crisp citrus peel hop bite on the end.
A very nice refresher.
296 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A nice golden yellow topped with a full finger white head fills the glass. the head eventually melts to very thick lacing.
Aroma sweet pale malt and sort of orange peel hops.
Flavor is bright and clean. Sweet pale malt with a crisp citrus peel hop bite on the end.
A very nice refresher.
296 characters
3.15/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Ithaca- Pale Ale
Appearance- Light reddish orange with a frothy head.
Smell- Light caramel malt with a touch of floral green hops.
Taste- Green oily hops with a sweet malt base.
Mouthfeel- Light and watery up front with a small metallic bitterness in the end.
Overall- Very humdrum. Probably, and hopefully, not 1 of Ithaca Beer Co.'s best.
349 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Ithaca- Pale Ale
Appearance- Light reddish orange with a frothy head.
Smell- Light caramel malt with a touch of floral green hops.
Taste- Green oily hops with a sweet malt base.
Mouthfeel- Light and watery up front with a small metallic bitterness in the end.
Overall- Very humdrum. Probably, and hopefully, not 1 of Ithaca Beer Co.'s best.
349 characters
3.82/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
AP: A pale gold color with a bone-white head that dissipated slowly and left a thin, scattered but bubbly cap.
Nose: A brown sugar like-sweet malt>with an herbal, earthy, hop scent. A very complex hoppieness overall on the nose.
Taste: The taste is a hearty, mildly sweet malt flavor that quickly becomes over-run by an earthy, herbal, spicey and leafy hop flavor that never gets a bitter edge. Nice balance between the malted backbone and the big Hop flavors.
MF: Crisp, clean and lively just like a good Pale ale should be. This has a medium bodied feel that seems to mellow out dramatically over time.
DA: good for the style, easy enought to drink.
666 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
AP: A pale gold color with a bone-white head that dissipated slowly and left a thin, scattered but bubbly cap.
Nose: A brown sugar like-sweet malt>with an herbal, earthy, hop scent. A very complex hoppieness overall on the nose.
Taste: The taste is a hearty, mildly sweet malt flavor that quickly becomes over-run by an earthy, herbal, spicey and leafy hop flavor that never gets a bitter edge. Nice balance between the malted backbone and the big Hop flavors.
MF: Crisp, clean and lively just like a good Pale ale should be. This has a medium bodied feel that seems to mellow out dramatically over time.
DA: good for the style, easy enought to drink.
666 characters
3.37/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
This pours a nice clear amber with a decent head,but the head disappears way too fast. The smell has a sweet malt aroma to i as well as a citrus hop scent. The taste has hop bitterness to it with citrus flavors and malt. The m/f is light,but the hop bitterness doesn't mix with the malt well at all. This is an average to below average beer that I would pass on in the future.
376 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
This pours a nice clear amber with a decent head,but the head disappears way too fast. The smell has a sweet malt aroma to i as well as a citrus hop scent. The taste has hop bitterness to it with citrus flavors and malt. The m/f is light,but the hop bitterness doesn't mix with the malt well at all. This is an average to below average beer that I would pass on in the future.
376 characters
3.97/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.
Appearance: Mildly hazy light brown color, little head and retention. Still looks decent overall.
Smell: Peppery spice and leafy hops with a bit of doughiness and caramel and mild chocolate.
Taste: Spicier and hoppier than I thought it would be. Leafy herbal and citrus spicy hops balanced by some good solid caramel malt flavor, finishing long and hoppy.
Mouthfeel: Lighter bodied with good carbonation and everything that makes me want to have at least a few.
Drinkability: Solid. Tasty. Balanced. Sessionable. All around a solid Pale I'll be coming back to.
601 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.
Appearance: Mildly hazy light brown color, little head and retention. Still looks decent overall.
Smell: Peppery spice and leafy hops with a bit of doughiness and caramel and mild chocolate.
Taste: Spicier and hoppier than I thought it would be. Leafy herbal and citrus spicy hops balanced by some good solid caramel malt flavor, finishing long and hoppy.
Mouthfeel: Lighter bodied with good carbonation and everything that makes me want to have at least a few.
Drinkability: Solid. Tasty. Balanced. Sessionable. All around a solid Pale I'll be coming back to.
601 characters
3.7/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
It should be mandatory to call your pale ale something else other than "Pale Ale"...a bit boring, innit?
Head is a soapy inch-thick thing that sizzles and settles a good bit, thinning fairly rapidly. Looks sort of like frothing dishsoap once it thins to a skim. Color is coppery with good clarity. Run of the mill but par for the course.
Aroma is light hops, light malt...nothing special, but certainly true to style and clean with no offending traits.
Flavor is a solid, solid balance of malt and hops...nice lingering bitterness in the finish. Hops seem remarkably flowery, fragrant, and a bit bold thanks to that hefty malt backup. Malts give a little nuttiness right before that finish takes over.
Crisp and well-carbonated in the mouth, but not overly so.
Solid and dependable. Nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever, but very likeable and well brewed.
872 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
It should be mandatory to call your pale ale something else other than "Pale Ale"...a bit boring, innit?
Head is a soapy inch-thick thing that sizzles and settles a good bit, thinning fairly rapidly. Looks sort of like frothing dishsoap once it thins to a skim. Color is coppery with good clarity. Run of the mill but par for the course.
Aroma is light hops, light malt...nothing special, but certainly true to style and clean with no offending traits.
Flavor is a solid, solid balance of malt and hops...nice lingering bitterness in the finish. Hops seem remarkably flowery, fragrant, and a bit bold thanks to that hefty malt backup. Malts give a little nuttiness right before that finish takes over.
Crisp and well-carbonated in the mouth, but not overly so.
Solid and dependable. Nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever, but very likeable and well brewed.
872 characters
3.42/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Hi bitterness, like an English bitter. That's good. Good sized White head on yellow body. There is citrus taste, caramel, not that balanced but quaffable. Medium or less mouthfeel. One-dimensional hop fix. Buffalo racetrack beerfest. Run-of-the-track.
251 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Hi bitterness, like an English bitter. That's good. Good sized White head on yellow body. There is citrus taste, caramel, not that balanced but quaffable. Medium or less mouthfeel. One-dimensional hop fix. Buffalo racetrack beerfest. Run-of-the-track.
251 characters
3.39/5 rDev -4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Cold 12oz bottle from a variety pack straight from Ithaca beer company poured into imperial pint glass. Beer pours a light brown amber, not pale at all, with a hint of cloudiness. Aroma is fresh and citrusy, like an IPA. First sip has the standard American pale ale sharpness, with hops up front and carbonation over the top. A pleasantly sweet hint of caramel finishes out the aftertaste. Neither a great example of the style nor a great beer all around, but interesting and drinkable nonetheless.
498 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Cold 12oz bottle from a variety pack straight from Ithaca beer company poured into imperial pint glass. Beer pours a light brown amber, not pale at all, with a hint of cloudiness. Aroma is fresh and citrusy, like an IPA. First sip has the standard American pale ale sharpness, with hops up front and carbonation over the top. A pleasantly sweet hint of caramel finishes out the aftertaste. Neither a great example of the style nor a great beer all around, but interesting and drinkable nonetheless.
498 characters
3.18/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I was a bit curious about these folks from upstate NY.
This pale ale is decent. The pour has a bit more foam than what I'd normally see from a pale ale. Smell is very hoppy. Taste is a strong bit of hops as well. I tend to like that, this was a bit unexpected.
It is a very drinkable brew. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't recommend it as a pale ale of choice.
358 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I was a bit curious about these folks from upstate NY.
This pale ale is decent. The pour has a bit more foam than what I'd normally see from a pale ale. Smell is very hoppy. Taste is a strong bit of hops as well. I tend to like that, this was a bit unexpected.
It is a very drinkable brew. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't recommend it as a pale ale of choice.
358 characters
3.63/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On-tap at The Lost Dog Cafe in Ithaca.
Poured with a short white head on an amber body. Smells of american hops, a little grapefruity, but not too strong. Slightly fruity taste. Good balance and goes with my greek chicken. Flavor of an APA, but more subtle like an english pale ale. Tasty and very drinkable. I'm not a big fan of IBC, but this hits the spot.
361 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On-tap at The Lost Dog Cafe in Ithaca.
Poured with a short white head on an amber body. Smells of american hops, a little grapefruity, but not too strong. Slightly fruity taste. Good balance and goes with my greek chicken. Flavor of an APA, but more subtle like an english pale ale. Tasty and very drinkable. I'm not a big fan of IBC, but this hits the spot.
361 characters
3.7/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
At Simeon's, Ithaca, poured into a pint glass.
Medium amber. Not much aroma to speak of, fresh malt smell. Tatse is very dry and toasty, reminds me of an altbier a la Long Trail Ale from Vermont...this beer is refreshing and very sessionable. Quality beer.
258 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
At Simeon's, Ithaca, poured into a pint glass.
Medium amber. Not much aroma to speak of, fresh malt smell. Tatse is very dry and toasty, reminds me of an altbier a la Long Trail Ale from Vermont...this beer is refreshing and very sessionable. Quality beer.
258 characters
3.83/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a nice amber color with a decent, bubbly head.
Nice floral hops blend with a citrusness and a hint of spicy hops in the nose.
Medium bodied and a creamy carbonation. Moderate malt sweetness with an even balance between the malt and hops. Pleasant mix of fruit flavors blend with citrus hops that becomes slightly bitter and finishes with a nice dryness with faint hop flavors.
Decent pale ale, I'd drink it again. Brough back by a friend's dad traveling in NY.
475 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a nice amber color with a decent, bubbly head.
Nice floral hops blend with a citrusness and a hint of spicy hops in the nose.
Medium bodied and a creamy carbonation. Moderate malt sweetness with an even balance between the malt and hops. Pleasant mix of fruit flavors blend with citrus hops that becomes slightly bitter and finishes with a nice dryness with faint hop flavors.
Decent pale ale, I'd drink it again. Brough back by a friend's dad traveling in NY.
475 characters
Pale Ale from Ithaca Beer Company
Beer rating:
35.8% out of
100 with
260 ratings