English Bay Pale Ale | Granville Island Brewery
Brewed by:
Granville Island Brewery
British Columbia, Canada
gib.ca
Style: English Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Our English Bay Pale Ale has a smooth, mild flavour brimming with West Coast character and a caramel malt aroma. A true pale ale, it gets its perfect balance from natural carbonation and careful maturing under the watchful eye of our brewmaster.
Added by 49degrees on 12-27-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 101 | Ratings: 270
2.83/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a rusty amber tone with a definite brown tone. A sizeable, frothy tan head burns off quickly leaving no lace behind before settling as a thin film and collar.
Smells of nuts and fresh grains, with mild butter, alcohol and ripened fruit notes taking shape as it warms.
Tastes of buttery toffee before a solid nuttiness takes over. Very sweet in the finish with an odd, cloying metallic tinge to it.
Very thin and watery overall. Slightly yeasty, creamy feeling on the tongue comes from a light carbonation and long-lasting collar. Oddly sour sensation in the aftertaste.
A thoroughly unimpressive beer that meanders somewhere between a brown ale, an amber and an American pale ale. The metallic/sour finish and aftertaste are enough to keep me from buying it again.
★ 774 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a rusty amber tone with a definite brown tone. A sizeable, frothy tan head burns off quickly leaving no lace behind before settling as a thin film and collar.
Smells of nuts and fresh grains, with mild butter, alcohol and ripened fruit notes taking shape as it warms.
Tastes of buttery toffee before a solid nuttiness takes over. Very sweet in the finish with an odd, cloying metallic tinge to it.
Very thin and watery overall. Slightly yeasty, creamy feeling on the tongue comes from a light carbonation and long-lasting collar. Oddly sour sensation in the aftertaste.
A thoroughly unimpressive beer that meanders somewhere between a brown ale, an amber and an American pale ale. The metallic/sour finish and aftertaste are enough to keep me from buying it again.
★ 774 characters
3.67/5 rDev +16.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Alright, I've had this beer a few times now, and it seems like every time I do, I'm getting something completely different. So, I figured now that I seem to have a better idea of what this beer really is, I should come back and do a proper review for it.
341ml bottle poured into a 16oz pint glass.
A - Rather aggressive pour yields a fizzy, light-tan head that's just under one finger and fizzles out fast. Darkish amber-orange in hue, and looks pretty good.
S - A wealth of different warm malt aromas upfront, with a slightly citrusy hops scent looming in the background. It's got a really nice caramel malt thing going on, with some bready and buttery malt complimenting it perfectly.
T - There are times when I've had this beer and it's tasted like a malty masterpiece, and others when it's had a delicious kick of hops in it. This time, it tastes like almost nothing. Is it just this well balanced? This has got to be one the most inconsistent beers I've tried in my lifetime, yet I seem to keep coming back for more. Although it doesn't taste like a lot this time around, there are times when it has an absolute barrage of tasty malt flavors. The warm, bread & butter malt is still present, as is the caramel malt, but it's not as well defined as it can be. As an extension of this, I detect almost zero hops in the finish, despite having a well-hopped bottle of this just last week...
M - Medium carbonation, with medium-to-light body. Nothing exceptional, but fitting. Really easy to drink. Sort of leaves a buttery feel in your mouth afterwards.
D - I really don't know what to make of this beer still. Although it seems to possess a really inconsistent quality from bottle-to-bottle, I still enjoy it every time. It really tastes incredibly simple, without much complexities at all, but something about the malty flavor just appeals to me so much.
★ 1,863 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Alright, I've had this beer a few times now, and it seems like every time I do, I'm getting something completely different. So, I figured now that I seem to have a better idea of what this beer really is, I should come back and do a proper review for it.
341ml bottle poured into a 16oz pint glass.
A - Rather aggressive pour yields a fizzy, light-tan head that's just under one finger and fizzles out fast. Darkish amber-orange in hue, and looks pretty good.
S - A wealth of different warm malt aromas upfront, with a slightly citrusy hops scent looming in the background. It's got a really nice caramel malt thing going on, with some bready and buttery malt complimenting it perfectly.
T - There are times when I've had this beer and it's tasted like a malty masterpiece, and others when it's had a delicious kick of hops in it. This time, it tastes like almost nothing. Is it just this well balanced? This has got to be one the most inconsistent beers I've tried in my lifetime, yet I seem to keep coming back for more. Although it doesn't taste like a lot this time around, there are times when it has an absolute barrage of tasty malt flavors. The warm, bread & butter malt is still present, as is the caramel malt, but it's not as well defined as it can be. As an extension of this, I detect almost zero hops in the finish, despite having a well-hopped bottle of this just last week...
M - Medium carbonation, with medium-to-light body. Nothing exceptional, but fitting. Really easy to drink. Sort of leaves a buttery feel in your mouth afterwards.
D - I really don't know what to make of this beer still. Although it seems to possess a really inconsistent quality from bottle-to-bottle, I still enjoy it every time. It really tastes incredibly simple, without much complexities at all, but something about the malty flavor just appeals to me so much.
★ 1,863 characters
3.49/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Very nice looking dark amber with a thick white head.
Smells slightly nutty and malty, some caramel. Nothing really stands out here.
The taste is pretty much the same, nutty, caramel malts, nothing to really write home about.
More like a nut brown ale than a pale ale, needs more hops. Nonetheless not a bad beer, but not something I would buy again.
★ 353 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Very nice looking dark amber with a thick white head.
Smells slightly nutty and malty, some caramel. Nothing really stands out here.
The taste is pretty much the same, nutty, caramel malts, nothing to really write home about.
More like a nut brown ale than a pale ale, needs more hops. Nonetheless not a bad beer, but not something I would buy again.
★ 353 characters
3.41/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Kickoff in Waterloo. Brought in to Ontario through Creemore (Molson). Remember having this ages back at the brewery - I wonder how well it's held up.
Poured into a Fullers conical glass, which was amusing considering that when all was said and done I felt this tasted much more like an English pale. Deep amber-copper, clear, nice head, sheets of lacing. Good looking brew.
Nose is caramel malt, bit of chemical, nothing fantastic.
A safe pale ale, malt heavy, a bit of earthy hops to the finish. Mild chemical/metal taste as well. Can't see the APA.
Creamy, good carb, decent feel.
Decent pale ale, probably tastes better on site - but then again, what wouldn't?
★ 679 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Kickoff in Waterloo. Brought in to Ontario through Creemore (Molson). Remember having this ages back at the brewery - I wonder how well it's held up.
Poured into a Fullers conical glass, which was amusing considering that when all was said and done I felt this tasted much more like an English pale. Deep amber-copper, clear, nice head, sheets of lacing. Good looking brew.
Nose is caramel malt, bit of chemical, nothing fantastic.
A safe pale ale, malt heavy, a bit of earthy hops to the finish. Mild chemical/metal taste as well. Can't see the APA.
Creamy, good carb, decent feel.
Decent pale ale, probably tastes better on site - but then again, what wouldn't?
★ 679 characters
2.71/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Pours a rich clear caramel amber topped by a lively head that laces well.
The aroma is caramel and a tinge of halitosis.
The taste is mostly minerally carbonation with light caramel malt. Not overly pleasant peaty, earthy yeastiness in the finish
Light body. Like it's watered down. Meh.
This is a beer that just is. There isn't a single way in which it stands out.
★ 369 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Pours a rich clear caramel amber topped by a lively head that laces well.
The aroma is caramel and a tinge of halitosis.
The taste is mostly minerally carbonation with light caramel malt. Not overly pleasant peaty, earthy yeastiness in the finish
Light body. Like it's watered down. Meh.
This is a beer that just is. There isn't a single way in which it stands out.
★ 369 characters
2.82/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A: Pale, yup. Overly carbonated, head retention is poor.
S: Sweet malts, slight dry hoppy aroma, floral if anything.
T: Malts. No hop nose or middle body.
M: smooth on the palate but generally agreeable because it doesnt have much going on for it other than simplicity.
D: Very drinkable, but you dont sit and ponder.
★ 322 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A: Pale, yup. Overly carbonated, head retention is poor.
S: Sweet malts, slight dry hoppy aroma, floral if anything.
T: Malts. No hop nose or middle body.
M: smooth on the palate but generally agreeable because it doesnt have much going on for it other than simplicity.
D: Very drinkable, but you dont sit and ponder.
★ 322 characters
3.03/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Came to the table with an amber color and a one plus finger white head. The aroma is more malt forward than I would have expected, and there is hop bitterness, but it does not stand out.
The taste is just like the aroma. A little too sweet and malt forward for an APA.
Medium bodied, average carbonation, has decent drinkability, but no outstanding characteristics. I am glad I tried this while in Vancouver. Now back to more Red Racer IPA.
★ 442 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Came to the table with an amber color and a one plus finger white head. The aroma is more malt forward than I would have expected, and there is hop bitterness, but it does not stand out.
The taste is just like the aroma. A little too sweet and malt forward for an APA.
Medium bodied, average carbonation, has decent drinkability, but no outstanding characteristics. I am glad I tried this while in Vancouver. Now back to more Red Racer IPA.
★ 442 characters
3.13/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Clear amber/copper appearance with thick white head that sticks around for a while. Smell is mostly of bread, hops and caramel.
Taste is mainly made up of bread and caramel malt, has a hint of grain and sweetness as well. Thin, but buttery, body with moderate carbonation. Strange combination. Aftertaste is bitter.
Overall, not a bad beer. It is drinkable and refreshing, but the body is to light. Kind of waters down the rest of the taste. Still, worth a try.
★ 463 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Clear amber/copper appearance with thick white head that sticks around for a while. Smell is mostly of bread, hops and caramel.
Taste is mainly made up of bread and caramel malt, has a hint of grain and sweetness as well. Thin, but buttery, body with moderate carbonation. Strange combination. Aftertaste is bitter.
Overall, not a bad beer. It is drinkable and refreshing, but the body is to light. Kind of waters down the rest of the taste. Still, worth a try.
★ 463 characters
3.56/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pour was great with it's copper look and nice head, but little lacing..
I've drank alot of Granville island beers and they use a certain malt or hop that give a sweet smell and taste... There are caramel or toffee flavors?? ... It's really present in there winter ale... Love the sweetness.
Taste is one of a kind, therefore it's gets above aveage rating here... Sweet malts that I can't taste anywhere else outside of granville.. With little to no hop flavor for a pale ale... I can't help but sometimes just crave the sweetness this beer has to offer.
To much carbonation for a sweet beer..
Easy to drink when reading beer reviews, a book, playing xbox, ect... There is no need to sit down and search for complexitys.. Great easy to drink beer
★ 749 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pour was great with it's copper look and nice head, but little lacing..
I've drank alot of Granville island beers and they use a certain malt or hop that give a sweet smell and taste... There are caramel or toffee flavors?? ... It's really present in there winter ale... Love the sweetness.
Taste is one of a kind, therefore it's gets above aveage rating here... Sweet malts that I can't taste anywhere else outside of granville.. With little to no hop flavor for a pale ale... I can't help but sometimes just crave the sweetness this beer has to offer.
To much carbonation for a sweet beer..
Easy to drink when reading beer reviews, a book, playing xbox, ect... There is no need to sit down and search for complexitys.. Great easy to drink beer
★ 749 characters
2.92/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A - poured a clear copper, short head dissipated quickly, basically no lacing
S - a mix of sweet and bready malts, subtle earthy notes, but not much else
T - mostly buttery bread flavour mixed with a little sweetness, there is a slight touch of earthy hop bitterness, not bad but not what I expected going in
M - mostly full carbonation feel up front, but as that fades there's not much left, maybe a little dryness
D - a very average drink, seems to be a more all purpose offering in terms of light flavour and carbonation, goes down easy but not sure i would invest more time that one
★ 586 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A - poured a clear copper, short head dissipated quickly, basically no lacing
S - a mix of sweet and bready malts, subtle earthy notes, but not much else
T - mostly buttery bread flavour mixed with a little sweetness, there is a slight touch of earthy hop bitterness, not bad but not what I expected going in
M - mostly full carbonation feel up front, but as that fades there's not much left, maybe a little dryness
D - a very average drink, seems to be a more all purpose offering in terms of light flavour and carbonation, goes down easy but not sure i would invest more time that one
★ 586 characters
3.49/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
A - This one pours a nice copper brown colour, with a thin layer of head which quickly dissipates leaving nothing behind, no lacing, and no real visible carbonation.
S - This one is rather bready, however, there is some nice sweet caramel malts also noticeable. Some sweet citrus hops are also detectable on this one, making for a nice balance.
T - Tastes much like a brown ale, very bready and malty, but it finishes with a nice bitter hop finish, making for a delicious balance.
M - I'm not sure if this bottle was defunct or not, but the lack of carbonation made it feel much like a stout. The only real drawback to this beer, as it was otherwise quite nice. It was still quite smooth, and the finish was not overly dry, still making the experience pleasureable. A little more carbonation on the tongue would've bumped it up into 'good' range.
D - The flavours on this one were quite nice, perfectly balanced, creating a tasty experience. I've yet to be disappointed on any Granville Islands offerings, and apart from the slight turn-off on carbonation, this one was very delicious.
★ 1,089 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
A - This one pours a nice copper brown colour, with a thin layer of head which quickly dissipates leaving nothing behind, no lacing, and no real visible carbonation.
S - This one is rather bready, however, there is some nice sweet caramel malts also noticeable. Some sweet citrus hops are also detectable on this one, making for a nice balance.
T - Tastes much like a brown ale, very bready and malty, but it finishes with a nice bitter hop finish, making for a delicious balance.
M - I'm not sure if this bottle was defunct or not, but the lack of carbonation made it feel much like a stout. The only real drawback to this beer, as it was otherwise quite nice. It was still quite smooth, and the finish was not overly dry, still making the experience pleasureable. A little more carbonation on the tongue would've bumped it up into 'good' range.
D - The flavours on this one were quite nice, perfectly balanced, creating a tasty experience. I've yet to be disappointed on any Granville Islands offerings, and apart from the slight turn-off on carbonation, this one was very delicious.
★ 1,089 characters
3.83/5 rDev +21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to woodychandler for the trade.Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a caramel color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of caramel, maybe a hint of toffee. Taste is good, caramel and hops, very flavorful. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and is very drinkable. Overall this is a fine quality brew.
★ 292 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to woodychandler for the trade.Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a caramel color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of caramel, maybe a hint of toffee. Taste is good, caramel and hops, very flavorful. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and is very drinkable. Overall this is a fine quality brew.
★ 292 characters
2.88/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Had this at Joe Forte's Restaurant on a recent trip to Vancouver. Poured copper with two fingers of offwhite head and great lacing. Decent amount of biscuit and malt in the nose, but not much else. The taste revealed biscuit toast and walnut, but not much fruitiness or hoppiness. Not much of a finish either. Not much carbonation in the feel, but it was smooth, and the nice head retention added a subtle creaminess to it. Decent session beer, but definitely needs a more robust flavor profile.
★ 495 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Had this at Joe Forte's Restaurant on a recent trip to Vancouver. Poured copper with two fingers of offwhite head and great lacing. Decent amount of biscuit and malt in the nose, but not much else. The taste revealed biscuit toast and walnut, but not much fruitiness or hoppiness. Not much of a finish either. Not much carbonation in the feel, but it was smooth, and the nice head retention added a subtle creaminess to it. Decent session beer, but definitely needs a more robust flavor profile.
★ 495 characters
2.79/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
On-tap inside Vancouver's International Airport, on to the beer:
Dark amber, patchy head retention, spotty lacing...ok, solid start. Iron and minerals to smell....uh, now I'm worried. It seems like GI is going for a maltier pael ale. The malts seem marzen-like, and probably explain the dark appearance for a pale ale. A little touch of diacetyl, a dash of fruit esters....damn, these BC pale ales have A LOT in common. Are they using the same yeast strain? Some of that overall flavor sticks in the palate into the aftertaste.
My day leaving Vancouver was not a good "beer tasting day", and GI Pale Ale played a part in that role. Maybe worth a try, but not worth a second try from me.
★ 689 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
On-tap inside Vancouver's International Airport, on to the beer:
Dark amber, patchy head retention, spotty lacing...ok, solid start. Iron and minerals to smell....uh, now I'm worried. It seems like GI is going for a maltier pael ale. The malts seem marzen-like, and probably explain the dark appearance for a pale ale. A little touch of diacetyl, a dash of fruit esters....damn, these BC pale ales have A LOT in common. Are they using the same yeast strain? Some of that overall flavor sticks in the palate into the aftertaste.
My day leaving Vancouver was not a good "beer tasting day", and GI Pale Ale played a part in that role. Maybe worth a try, but not worth a second try from me.
★ 689 characters
2.98/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - Clear amber/orange with a big white head that settles into a half finger head and no lacing.
Smell - Bready malt and some fresh hops.
Taste - Bread, some caramel malt, very mild citric hops, some metal and a bit watery.
Mouthfeel - Light body with qood carbonation.
★ 282 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - Clear amber/orange with a big white head that settles into a half finger head and no lacing.
Smell - Bready malt and some fresh hops.
Taste - Bread, some caramel malt, very mild citric hops, some metal and a bit watery.
Mouthfeel - Light body with qood carbonation.
★ 282 characters
2.95/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Thanks to my uncle who came to visit us from B.C. and brought me a couple of these. Had this with my supper last night, hamburgers & fries.
Poured from a 355ml. can.
Appearance: Pours a nice orange-amber body with a slight chilly haze and a decent 2-3 finger head that disappears a little too quickly. Not much lacing to speak of.
Smell: Some hops but the malt wins out in the aroma that is a bit faint. Has a dry touch to it.
Taste: At first nothing but a slight tinge of bitterness. Opens up a little with a bit of caramel. Has a grainy touch and a certain off flavor that i can't put my finger on. This is much more malt-driven than hops powered. Still, the taste does not last long and is a bit boring.
Mouthfeel: Marginally better if only because it has good carbonation. Otherwise, the body is weak & a tad watery for my taste.
Drinakbility: So-so. It's strictly average and it wouldn't be my go-to beer.
Overall: I'm slamming it a little on the taste because it advertises itself as a "classic West Coast pale ale" which it most definitely isn't. Not bad or offensive but certainly nothing memorable.
★ 1,114 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Thanks to my uncle who came to visit us from B.C. and brought me a couple of these. Had this with my supper last night, hamburgers & fries.
Poured from a 355ml. can.
Appearance: Pours a nice orange-amber body with a slight chilly haze and a decent 2-3 finger head that disappears a little too quickly. Not much lacing to speak of.
Smell: Some hops but the malt wins out in the aroma that is a bit faint. Has a dry touch to it.
Taste: At first nothing but a slight tinge of bitterness. Opens up a little with a bit of caramel. Has a grainy touch and a certain off flavor that i can't put my finger on. This is much more malt-driven than hops powered. Still, the taste does not last long and is a bit boring.
Mouthfeel: Marginally better if only because it has good carbonation. Otherwise, the body is weak & a tad watery for my taste.
Drinakbility: So-so. It's strictly average and it wouldn't be my go-to beer.
Overall: I'm slamming it a little on the taste because it advertises itself as a "classic West Coast pale ale" which it most definitely isn't. Not bad or offensive but certainly nothing memorable.
★ 1,114 characters
2.91/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Received a number of cans from Granville Island Brewery from a friend over the holidays. The is the last of the varieties I had to sample.
Pours a dark amber color, bordering on read, with plenty of head. Some head quickly evaporates, but it then settles to about a finger for a while. Minimal lacing left on the glass.
Slight malt scent, but that is about it.
Taste is fairly simple. Some mild caramel malts. Very light. Slightly watery.
Overall, it is drinkable and it does have some flavor, but overall it is fairly bland. Decent, but not something I would choose unless my options were limited.
★ 602 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Received a number of cans from Granville Island Brewery from a friend over the holidays. The is the last of the varieties I had to sample.
Pours a dark amber color, bordering on read, with plenty of head. Some head quickly evaporates, but it then settles to about a finger for a while. Minimal lacing left on the glass.
Slight malt scent, but that is about it.
Taste is fairly simple. Some mild caramel malts. Very light. Slightly watery.
Overall, it is drinkable and it does have some flavor, but overall it is fairly bland. Decent, but not something I would choose unless my options were limited.
★ 602 characters
3.08/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
New brewery for me, courtesy of my son on a trip back from Seattle. Pours a clear oaken amber in the Corsendonk tulip glass. Tidbits of ivory lace line the glass on the way down.
The label states this is west coast style, but it seems all English to me with the woody and caramel notes dominating the scene, but not standing out or making any lasting impression on me. Body is very light, not a big load of malt to start, seems to be a "cheaper" version of a better beer wantabe. Not a bad beer, more of a cross-over type brew.
★ 528 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
New brewery for me, courtesy of my son on a trip back from Seattle. Pours a clear oaken amber in the Corsendonk tulip glass. Tidbits of ivory lace line the glass on the way down.
The label states this is west coast style, but it seems all English to me with the woody and caramel notes dominating the scene, but not standing out or making any lasting impression on me. Body is very light, not a big load of malt to start, seems to be a "cheaper" version of a better beer wantabe. Not a bad beer, more of a cross-over type brew.
★ 528 characters
3.3/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The beer pours an orange amber color with OK head retention and minimal lacing. The nose is fairly attractive, with a nice blend of sweet malt and light hoppy bitterness. This beer really does remind me somewhat of an English style pale ale. Flavors in this beer replicate the nose for the most part, though they're a bit lighter then I expected. Nothing is off in this beer, there just isn't much here. Mouthfeel is light and a bit watery, but with the decent carbonation giving this beer a pleasant prickly on the tongue sensation. Drinkability is pretty good, but there's just not enough flavor to make me want to drink a lot of this.
Certainly not a drain pour, but in the world of craft beer these days, I doubt I'd ever want to try this again.
★ 751 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The beer pours an orange amber color with OK head retention and minimal lacing. The nose is fairly attractive, with a nice blend of sweet malt and light hoppy bitterness. This beer really does remind me somewhat of an English style pale ale. Flavors in this beer replicate the nose for the most part, though they're a bit lighter then I expected. Nothing is off in this beer, there just isn't much here. Mouthfeel is light and a bit watery, but with the decent carbonation giving this beer a pleasant prickly on the tongue sensation. Drinkability is pretty good, but there's just not enough flavor to make me want to drink a lot of this.
Certainly not a drain pour, but in the world of craft beer these days, I doubt I'd ever want to try this again.
★ 751 characters
3.2/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
341ml bottle poured into 400ml dab glass nov4 2009
A clear copper with a fast falling thumbs width of head that leaves no lace
S not a whole lot, some toffee and malt
T slightly more then the smell, with a little biscuit and the sweetness is a little more pronounced
M turns to air in my mouth a little too much carbonation
D not a bad beer but I'm just not sold on it
I'm thinking Granville Island has taken a bit of a dive in recent years, this mixer pack didn't live up to my expectations
★ 499 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
341ml bottle poured into 400ml dab glass nov4 2009
A clear copper with a fast falling thumbs width of head that leaves no lace
S not a whole lot, some toffee and malt
T slightly more then the smell, with a little biscuit and the sweetness is a little more pronounced
M turns to air in my mouth a little too much carbonation
D not a bad beer but I'm just not sold on it
I'm thinking Granville Island has taken a bit of a dive in recent years, this mixer pack didn't live up to my expectations
★ 499 characters
2.85/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a lovely clear amber color with little head (even after switching to a more aggressive pour, I ended up less than 1/4 inch of head) that had zero retention or lacing.
The aroma had a slightly sweet malt scent, otherwise was very neutral. I was pleasantly surprised by a nice hit of citrus hops, but that flavor faded quickly and I was left with residual malt sweetness. Otherwise, the flavors were like the aroma, bland and neutral.
Body was typical for the style. Drinkability was good, but with such a lack of personality, why have more than one? Overall, worth trying if you see it, but don't go out of your way to get it.
★ 658 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a lovely clear amber color with little head (even after switching to a more aggressive pour, I ended up less than 1/4 inch of head) that had zero retention or lacing.
The aroma had a slightly sweet malt scent, otherwise was very neutral. I was pleasantly surprised by a nice hit of citrus hops, but that flavor faded quickly and I was left with residual malt sweetness. Otherwise, the flavors were like the aroma, bland and neutral.
Body was typical for the style. Drinkability was good, but with such a lack of personality, why have more than one? Overall, worth trying if you see it, but don't go out of your way to get it.
★ 658 characters
3.28/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This used to be one of my go to beers before getting more heavily in to the craft scene. I had one for the first time in awhile last night that a buddy left at my house and remembered why i used to get it so often.
There's nothing really bad about this beer just relatively uninteresting, lightly hopped and decent dark malt make it easy to drink and inoffensive. More along the lines of an english pale i suppose than the APAs I've gotten used too but I can see where for someone going from BMC to this it would be a real notch up in the flavour and hop department.
I used to and can see myself again drinking this a fair amount, also it is pretty much everywhere in Vancouver so it's a virtual guarantee to be on tap next time I go to the bar to watch a Canucks game.
★ 772 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This used to be one of my go to beers before getting more heavily in to the craft scene. I had one for the first time in awhile last night that a buddy left at my house and remembered why i used to get it so often.
There's nothing really bad about this beer just relatively uninteresting, lightly hopped and decent dark malt make it easy to drink and inoffensive. More along the lines of an english pale i suppose than the APAs I've gotten used too but I can see where for someone going from BMC to this it would be a real notch up in the flavour and hop department.
I used to and can see myself again drinking this a fair amount, also it is pretty much everywhere in Vancouver so it's a virtual guarantee to be on tap next time I go to the bar to watch a Canucks game.
★ 772 characters
2.26/5 rDev -28.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
this stuff is ubiquitous throughout the lower mainlaind. I've had it before, and remember that I wasn't impressed, so haven't ordered it. I decided to try it again today, and again - not impressed. It's downright boring. An ale, designed to compete in a field characterized as 'boring,' to sell alongside the light lagers and such.
it's a penny-coloured ale, with a decent white head, and virtually no aroma. What is there reminds me of pool water - a slight chlorine-ish whiff, and some grainy grass. Flavour is not much different - clean and unexciting. Some caramel and slight raisin-y malt, but not too much. Very light bittering, and no hop flavour or aroma. Very light, spritzy body with a lot of carbonation.
I'll take a pass on this next time. Uninteresting, boring - take the opportunity to try whatever else is available.
★ 834 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
this stuff is ubiquitous throughout the lower mainlaind. I've had it before, and remember that I wasn't impressed, so haven't ordered it. I decided to try it again today, and again - not impressed. It's downright boring. An ale, designed to compete in a field characterized as 'boring,' to sell alongside the light lagers and such.
it's a penny-coloured ale, with a decent white head, and virtually no aroma. What is there reminds me of pool water - a slight chlorine-ish whiff, and some grainy grass. Flavour is not much different - clean and unexciting. Some caramel and slight raisin-y malt, but not too much. Very light bittering, and no hop flavour or aroma. Very light, spritzy body with a lot of carbonation.
I'll take a pass on this next time. Uninteresting, boring - take the opportunity to try whatever else is available.
★ 834 characters
3.21/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
An English pint, amid a "selection" of BMC crap at a Calgary International airport restaurant during layover hell, this was somewhat welcome as the house beer promotion. I haven't seen Granville Island in mine own province in a while now. Gee, I wonder why.
This beer arrives at the table appearing a clear medium brickish copper colour, with one fat-ass finger of puffy, densely foamy off-white head, which leaves a decent array of archipelago island lace around the glass as it quick abates.
It smells of mildly acerbic orchard fruit, a lightly bready caramel malt, a touch of zippy black pepper, and further plain-ass earthy noble hops. The taste is somewhat complex, yet still quite mild in its sweet grainy caramel maltiness, and hardly more upbeat with the unsurprisingly tame earthy, weedy hops.
The carbonation is about average, and weakly frothy at best, the body a benign medium-light weight, and generally smooth. It finishes on the sweet side, the hops trailing off, and the drupe-heavy, fruity malt acting as such when presented with the concept of absent playmates.
A fairly bland, if disagreeably decent choice when you are held hostage via poor options, but, sometimes them's the breaks, and you just have to dream of those better beer destinations only a plane flight away.
★ 1,296 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
An English pint, amid a "selection" of BMC crap at a Calgary International airport restaurant during layover hell, this was somewhat welcome as the house beer promotion. I haven't seen Granville Island in mine own province in a while now. Gee, I wonder why.
This beer arrives at the table appearing a clear medium brickish copper colour, with one fat-ass finger of puffy, densely foamy off-white head, which leaves a decent array of archipelago island lace around the glass as it quick abates.
It smells of mildly acerbic orchard fruit, a lightly bready caramel malt, a touch of zippy black pepper, and further plain-ass earthy noble hops. The taste is somewhat complex, yet still quite mild in its sweet grainy caramel maltiness, and hardly more upbeat with the unsurprisingly tame earthy, weedy hops.
The carbonation is about average, and weakly frothy at best, the body a benign medium-light weight, and generally smooth. It finishes on the sweet side, the hops trailing off, and the drupe-heavy, fruity malt acting as such when presented with the concept of absent playmates.
A fairly bland, if disagreeably decent choice when you are held hostage via poor options, but, sometimes them's the breaks, and you just have to dream of those better beer destinations only a plane flight away.
★ 1,296 characters
English Bay Pale Ale from Granville Island Brewery
3.16
out of 5
based on 270 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
a-Amber red colour....light head that doesn't last that long.
s-very slight bready notes....faint malt....very subdued.
t-very faint spicey hoppiness..very much an english pale style beer.
m-about average for the abv.
o-Overall this beer was decent. I would grab it again.
★ 276 characters