Tommyknocker Pick Axe Pale Ale

Brewed by Tommyknocker Brewery
Style: English Pale Ale
Idaho Springs, Colorado USA

The beer pours out a dark copper color or rather a burnt orange color. The beer was aggressively poured yet could only muster a slight finger sized off-white head. The beer that poured down the edge of the glass left a clinging lace which remained for the entire sampling. The head quickly trickled down to just a few bubbles in height. The initial hop aroma was just what I was expecting. It was a nice mix of floral, slightly citrus and herb aroma. It reminded me of an ESB or IPA at first. There were a few light streams of carbonation on this beer so I knew it wasn’t flat. The first few sips were very light and refreshing with a distinct bitterness from start to finish. The last thing you sense is a dryness to the beer. This beer has a very mild palate. It could have used a bit more body however. As this pale ale warmed, the aroma shifted ever so slightly. It became more herbal and earthy with a hint of butter. It started sticking to the tongue a bit more. In my opinion, this beer tastes better a bit cold rather than warm. It’s a decent representation of an English Pale Ale but seemingly on the average side.

Bottle, 12 oz. Pours copper with an off-white head. Aroma of grapefruit. Bitter on the palate with a dry finish.

12oz pour that resulted in a what looked like a flat beer then all the sudden, almost like a Boddington’s, the head came from the bottom up. Nice white head that was gone in 10 seconds but laced somewhat through the duration. Nice orangey/copper color with some haziness. Awesome nose for an English PA. Lots of hops here that blend perfectly. Huge hop nose for not having any American hops in it. Very nice balance with a citrusy note that dovetails just right with the nice malt bill. Well done English Pale. A great session beer that would meet the needs of hop heads and those that are not. At little bit for everyone in this fine beer.

Very deep copper color......slightly opaque. Thick, pillowy head......though it fades somewhat fast. Extremely floral hop aroma. Sweet hop flavor up front, with a few citrus notes......slightly crisp mouthfeel. Very complex hop flavor in the back. Seems a bit more similar in style to an IPA than a pale ale.

Pours with an orange-amber hue and a wonderfully stiff, 4-finger whipped head. A sweet candied citrus predominates the nose. The flavors are a bit thin, like the mouthfeel. I pick up some hopped citrus, light citrus candies and floral notes. The finish is a bit biscuity, pale and dry. Overall, a bit bland... nothing really special or stands out.

12 oz. bottle pours an opaque orange marmalade and shiny copper pennies color. What there is in head is frothy, large and sparse, and disintigrates quickly. Aroma is of fermenting peaches and cat urine, but mellows tremendously as it relaxes. Front palate is tart citrus that warms as it hits mid palate and demonstrates an earthy moss. Rear palate is bitter pine and grass which finishes with a strong hoppy aftertaste that lasts and lasts.... An okay beer. Not one of my favorite pale ales but could be paired with a medium strong cheese and fruit appetizer to mellow out the bitter-sourness.

This was a nice EPA. Haven’t had one of these in a while. Aroma was decent. All grassy hops. Pour was a nice burnt orange with a one finger off white head. Taste was very hoppy. A hint of caramel malt comes in and out, but strong earthy and grassy hops dominate. Medium to little carbonation. Nice beer and hides the ABV well.

Pours a slightly hazy medium amber color with a thin beige head. The aroma is hoppy and grassy. Pronounced hop flavor, but not too bitter. The mouthfeel was a bit soft, almost spongey. I like this brew a lot, but there are a few other IPAs that I prefer over this one. I would like to pair this beer with a mesculin/spinach salad mix and a burger topped with smoked provolone cheese and whole-grain mustard.