Style: English Pale Ale

ABV: 5.0 IBU: 30.0

95/100
Aroma: 12
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 19
Mouthfeel: 5

Firestone Walker Brewing Co DBA

What the brewers say

“An innovative British pale ale that still stands the test of time.”

What our panel thought

“Light caramel and toast in the aroma with floral and a touch of citrus. On the tongue, earthy, slightly herbal hops with a hint of spice. The perfect kiss of bitterness to make this seem very sessionable.”

What our editors thought

“Beautiful toasty, nutty malt tones in the aroma with just a slight fruity-floral edge. A touch spicier in the sip, as a fine-grain herbal bitterness balances the malt through the sip into the neutral finish.”

Review printed in: The Expanding Maltiverse (Spring 2025) (View All Issues)


REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Firestone Walker Brewing Co DBA

“Toasty malt, candied esters, and a delicate hop aroma assert a decidedly British flair. The bitterness provides good grounding for the otherwise expansive and endearing malt character.”

Firestone Walker Brewing Co STiVO

“Pale yellow in color, unfiltered, with a nice bright white head that lingers. Bright floral hop aroma with a touch of dank in the background. Pleasant soft citrus in both the aroma and flavor is tempered by a moderate and very clean bitterness. A lifting herbal and light melon citrus hop flavor builds, but just when it’s about to reach the upper limit, it lets off the gas and the grainy malt starts to come into balance. Slightly minerally, with a clean, dry finish. Overall, a very fresh and soft quality with a quick and clean finish. Well-crafted with no flaws. Aggressive without hitting the limit.”

Firestone Walker Brewing Company DBA (Double Barrel Ale)

**Aroma:** “Spicy hops aroma is very herbal and almost medicinal, with some dark cherry esters. Nice sweet caramel and toffee malt aroma. Hops aroma is subdued, floral and earthy.” **Flavor:** “The hops character in this beer is earthy, woody, a bit spicy, and floral, with mild bitterness—more than the nose would suggest. Notes of caramel and toffee come through well with a light body. Some tart notes in mid-palate. Hops flavors clash with the fruity yeast esters, though as it warms these work better together. Bitterness is a little low for the style, allowing the malt to linger a little too long.” **Overall:** “Nice example of the style. A decent English pale ale, but hops choices don’t quite harmonize with the malt complexity and yeast esters. A smooth round malt backbone anchors the flavor profile. Plenty of hops to keep things interesting—perhaps more than would usually be found in England—this is an American take on a British style.”

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