Spanish Peaks Monterey Pale Ale

I had consumed a fair amount of this Pale Ale a few years ago, and happened to see a new shipment at my local BevMo. Suprised that I haven’t rated this one yet, so I cracked it open and watched Dirty Jobs. The beer pours out a light brown/medium amber color with a nice creamy 2-finger thick head with some nice staying power. Tons of carbonation rising up from the bottom of my Maudite glass. Aroma was decidedly sweet, with no real hop aroma detectable. A bit of old malts, a touch vegetative but mostly sweet. A smooth mouthfeel with just a bit of prickly carbonation. Flavors were overwhelmingly sweet for a Pale Ale. No real bitterness detected, but a slight herbal background fumbles along with the caramel sweetness though. For some reason, I was enjoying the beer, even in all it’s underattenuated glory. Probably just my raging sweet tooth. The beer is not a true pale ale, but I found it tasty.

12oz bottle. Apparently this one doesn’t age well. Some caramel and spice aromas. Caramel colored body with dirty dishwater colored head. Flavor was watery with hints of caramel and mild spicey bitter. Spicey aftertaste left on palate. Also some sediment found on bottom of pint glass that just didn’t peak my couriosity to finish last gulp.

Nothing special. Bottled. A straw yellow pour with little head rentention. Crisp malt and a light bitterness. Not much to appreciate here in my opinion.

Had this beer on 9/12/2003. Aroma is a light fresh scent that reminds me of Coors. Color is a pale gold with good carbonation and very thin head. Taste is crisp and bitter. Starting with a light body that goes down with a smooth fizzy feel. Finish starts off with a crisp malt flavor that is almost exactly like Coors. This is backed by a firm bitterness. Overall as a Pale Ale I rate it poor, there is no hop flavor, the body is to thin and the bitterness is not balanced.

Date: 04/10/2003
Mode: Bottle
Source: Wild Wing Cafe, Marietta

light amber, slightly sweet malt aroma, funky hop flavor, touch of carmel sweetness, short bitter finish

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.6/5.0
Score: *4
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The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

This brewery must be back in business. I just sampled a bottle from ’07. This was amber/golden in color. Evident cascade hops in the aroma and an off-smell. Medium bodied, slightly malty, and very hoppy. A nice bitter finish. This beer loses points for being unoriginal; it is almost a Sierra Nevada clone. However, it still rates close to a 3 because it is enjoyable and very drinkable.

12 oz bottle. Unknown date code on label.

Clear golden with a creamy 2 finger tan head. Good retention lots of sticky lace.

Aroma is mildly bready and lightly piney.

Light piney hop flavor backed by a mild lemony sweetness.

Finish is refreshingly bitter.

Not very complex, but decent. I wouldn’t search for it but I wouldn’t refuse one.

12oz bottle-pours a foamy off white head and gold color. Aroma is citrus-light/medium hops. Taste is citrus-light/medium hops-bitter, secondary medium malt-caramel. Easy drinking. OK carbonation.