Columbus Brewing Pale Ale

Brewed by Columbus Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale
Columbus, Ohio USA

Clear golden amber. Caramelly sweet lightly cascadey aroma. Lightish hops are a bit lacking, but I rather like this. A bit sweetish in the finish.

As the user name implies, I’m quite a fan of this beer. However, it is mostly for sentimental reasons. As a student at OSU this was the local beer that nudged me away from kegs of Natti Light every weekend. Yes, it is light on the hops, but the overall package is very pleasing. Much better on tap than in the bottle.

Stange one here. The hops are so hidden - in the aroma and the taste. The appearance is dark copper. The malting is assertive and the way they are "specially kilned" makes a diference, as there is a slight nutty/roasted taste. There is a lingering sourness that is curious. Not a bad beer at all - but not at all an APA.

Pours dark amber with a small head. Taste is one that I do not understand. Almost no hops, and very malty. Very bland and thick for a pale ale. Thumbs down.

way, Way, WAY back in the day, in my earliest days on the site, when my fave style was APA, this was one I wanted. So, a long wait ensues, and now as an OH native, I can enjoy this. But not fresh, I hasten to add. I can tell this would be lovely - the malt balance is there, good vegetal aroma, and it is nicely bittered with grapefruit; but a bit of souring around the edges and some pillowy head formation make me think that a slight infection is creeping in. Still, good, and I long for a fresher sample.

Very weak aroma. Iced tea colored. Starchy, watery and tart. Needs more hops. Thin. Light Cascade finish. An inept brewpub PA.

Here is another rating from memories: On draft at the High Beck in Columbus. Incredibly fresh and incredibly under rated and under distributed. Drink this beer.

12 oz bottle, courtesy of sfontain (thanks!). Bright dark copper, translucent, medium lasting head. Citrusy, caramelly-hoppy nose, hints of must and rotting wood. On the tongue, not quite so interesting, but very quaffable, with a decent maltiness upfront and light but longlasting piney bitter finish. Pretty good all in all, could be a little fuller-bodied.