Big River Grille Toasted Oat Pale Ale

Date: 09/10/2005
Mode: Firkin
Source: Brewpub

clear brown, huge white head, nice cascade, nice toasted aroma with a touch of chocolate, good dry malt flavor, light earthy hops, a bit of astrengent bitterness in the finish

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 2/10; Palate: 2/10; Overall: 5/20
Rating: 2/5.0
Score: 4
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The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

Enjoyed at the brewery from the beer engine. A clear copper color with a thick foamy head. Very light aroma that is indeed toasted and a bit nutty, much like an English bitter. Creamy, toasted, earthy flavor with sweet and metallic notes. Creamy medium mouth feel that is fairly wet. This is very much English styled pale ale.

Draught. Pours nut brown, caramel with orange hints and a small frothy light tan head that leaves some lined spotty lacing. Smoky toasted oat malt, kind of ashy, with some fruit hop notes (berries). Smoky burnt ash starts to hide the toasted oat but the smokiness comes through with a hint of bacon and a moderately acidic hop character. It seems watery. Medium bodied and crisp, clean palate. A very noble attempt by the brewer but I think the ash flavor kills it; still an interesting attempt.

Draught: The color is a clear copper-amber hue. There was a little head, that dissapated quickly. Little lacing. The aroma had a bit of pine and grapefruit hoppiness to it. The taste was somewhat bitter. It had a strong, but medium bodied malt backbone, but no overall sweetness. The oats have made the overall beer quite smooth and drinkable. A good beer!

Appearance is a reddish brown with little head. Flavor is quite malty with faint hops and some grain in the aftertaste. This is not one of Big River's better beers but it was a decent effort.