MacLean’s Pale Ale

Brewed by MacLean’s Ales
Style: English Pale Ale
West Grey, Canada

Toasty, dry, lightly caramelly and well-balanced. The toastiness is a yeast effect which is especially evident if you are lucky enough to find this beer on cask.

Sparkling clear, copper ale with a medium-sized, off-white head. The nose is malty with notes of toasted nuts and caramel. The flavor matches the aroma. Nice hops, but they're overpowered by the wonderful, caramelly malt and yeast. Medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and lively carbonation. Short, malty finish. Underrated!

Hazy amber ale with a thin creamy off white head. Light english hops in aroma, with notes of caramel. In mouth, however, the hops are very present, in your face, with a very woody character, followed by sweet caramel, and lingering bitterness. A nice EPA. Used to drink this in Guelph, in 92-93, and they havent lost their touch.

Draught (cask) At Volo. Poured quite creamy and cloudy (reminded me of Boddington’s Pub Ale), settled quite quickly to a fine off-white head. Color is quite coppery, but pale, slightly cloudy. Aroma very bread-doughy, taste is mildly bitter, the maltiness is there for sure, but in background. Medium to light bodied. Tends to a grapefruit bitterness on the palate, builds slowly. Well-suited to the cask. Virtually no carbonation, of course - great patio beer.

Amber/Brown colour, despite the pale ale style. I see that’s part of the style and have had recently very good beers that are included in this style. Neither this or other pales I have had have retained their head. This brewery is high on carbonation, which emphasized water and light in hops or malt. Tried cask conditioned in June 2004 and was somewhat better.

Something like well done baked dark rye bread. The white head contrasted nicely with amber color of beer. Malt, roast, and lack of freshness that made not fun to drink.

September 2007. Draft at Feast of Fields. Orangey amber body with a smallish white head. Moderately hoppy aroma, fairly grassy. Similar flavour, moderate bitterness throughout. Light grassy grainy notes. Less fruity than I remember, light citrus notes. Average palate. 6-7/3/7/3/14 - 3.3 <P>November 2003. Amber colour, aroma is light with some malt and hops. Flavour is moderate, with a nice balance of hops and malt. Enjoyable. 6/3/6/3/13 - 3.1

(Bottle) Pours a medium, almond head and a copper body. Nose of sweet malt and slight whiskey. Slight fruity hops balances the caramel malt flavour. Hoppy bitterness greets you at the finish. My favourite of the F&M lineup.