Name: Karl Strauss Pintail Pale Ale

Style: American Pale Ale

Country: U.S.A.

ABV: 5.3%

Beer description: On first impressions, this beer is a great balance between a standard, simple, pale ale with a bit of something to keep you interested.  As described in the label, Karl Strauss Brewing Company set up “make a session beer with huge hop flavours” and they really succeeded.

The flavours aren’t too surprising, but they’re well balanced.  The aroma is filled with pine and tons of malty biscuit smells, all complimented by a bit of vanilla and the standard florals and citrus.  This continues somewhat in the tastes, but different flavours are offered.  At first, the pine is quite prominent but this is taken over by bitterness.  However, the pine comes back and really sits in the mouth, which becomes a little bit of a downside to this beer.  It’s a great flavour but really should be a complimentary and subtle flavour rather than one that gets stuck there.

All that being said though, while the pine is continually counteracted by the great malty flavours.  The vanilla moves more towards a caramel taste.  The beer is smooth and has just the right amount of body.

This is a great beer.  As mentioned on the bottle, it won a gold medal at the 2011 California State Fair, which I’m sure was very well deserved.

Check out other American pale ale reviews.

Go to more reviews of Karl Strauss beers.