American Pale Ale: Septic or Antiseptic Hops?

[london calling]

First drank the Green Hop Ipa in 2010 and was hooked.A beer I search for at this time of the year but its getting such a reputation its probably going to be harder to get.

[Mobyduck]

First drank the Green Hop Ipa in 2010 and was hooked.A beer I search for at this time of the year but its getting such a reputation its probably going to be harder to get.

Six barrels at my local, will probably be saved for weekends so at least three dodgy weekends coming up.

[Thuck Phat]

I've had 3 that LC mentioned recently without realising that they were APA's: St Austell Proper Job (my favourite of their beers), Sadlers Hop Monster and Magic Rock High Wire, which is described as a West Coast Pale Ale on their website. All were very drinkable so, unless there are objections, in they go.

The list:

The Drinkable

Darkstar - American Pale Ale 4.7% (TP)
Butcombe - Great Grey Owl 3.6% (MD)
Portobello - APA 5% (Aqua)
Long Man - APA 4.8% (Aqua)
St Austell - Proper Job 4.5% (LC)
Sadlers - Hop Monster 5% (LC)
Magic Rock - High Wire 5.5% (LC)

The Less Drinkable

Big Hand Zeta 3.6% (TP)
Greene King - Yardbird 4% (BF by proxy)
Caledonian - All American 4.1% (MD)

[Bucking Fastard]

One for the drinkable category,Tillingbourne Hop Troll.GBG and ratebeer have it described as an APA,so I assume it uses exclusively American hops.It slipped down easily,bitter but not overpowering.

[Thuck Phat]

A couple from me which seem to fit the description:
Church End - Fallen Angel: Definitely pale and brewed with American hops and certainly drinkable.
Blue Monkey - US Ape: Bottle conditioned and described as an American IPA style beer. Not as pale as some but still fits the bill and again drinkable.

The Drinkable

Darkstar - American Pale Ale 4.7% (TP)
Butcombe - Great Grey Owl 3.6% (MD)
Portobello - APA 5% (Aqua)
Long Man - APA 4.8% (Aqua)
St Austell - Proper Job 4.5% (LC)
Sadlers - Hop Monster 5% (LC)
Magic Rock - High Wire 5.5% (LC)
Tillingbourne - Hop Troll (BF)
Church End - Fallen Angel 5% (TP)
Blue Monkey - US Ape 7.5% (TP)

The Less Drinkable

Big Hand Zeta 3.6% (TP)
Greene King - Yardbird 4% (BF by proxy)
Caledonian - All American 4.1% (MD)

[Bucking Fastard]

It's probably just me,but I thought Portobello Ameican Pale Ale was really poor in the reliable George in Croydon.The dark orange colour was a surprise and the overly malty brew was quite difficult to quaff.The 5% strength was very evident ,but there was little hop character nor lasting bitterness.The fruit sensation mentioned in ratebeer reviews was just absent.I had to wash it down with a Dark Star American Pale Ale which as always was excellent.

[Mobyduck]

It's probably just me,but I thought Portobello Ameican Pale Ale was really poor in the reliable George in Croydon.The dark orange colour was a surprise and the overly malty brew was quite difficult to quaff.The 5% strength was very evident ,but there was little hop character nor lasting bitterness.The fruit sensation mentioned in ratebeer reviews was just absent.I had to wash it down with a Dark Star American Pale Ale which as always was excellent.

Only tried it once and have to say I agree, it didn't do a lot for me.

[london calling]

It's probably just me,but I thought Portobello Ameican Pale Ale was really poor in the reliable George in Croydon.The dark orange colour was a surprise and the overly malty brew was quite difficult to quaff.The 5% strength was very evident ,but there was little hop character nor lasting bitterness.The fruit sensation mentioned in ratebeer reviews was just absent.I had to wash it down with a Dark Star American Pale Ale which as always was excellent.

I have had it and thought it was the best beer they have brewed.Loads of hop flavour.I have noticed that hoppy beers can vary from batch to batch.Ihad Tiny Rebel-Billabong on Friday and was disappointed.Good but not great like I have had before.I actually demanded to see the manager of a Nicolsons pub and queried if he had put the wrong beer on a handpump as the Jaipur had little or no hops in it.A beer I have had when it was so hoppy I could hardly finish a pint. cheers john

[Aqualung]

It's probably just me,but I thought Portobello Ameican Pale Ale was really poor in the reliable George in Croydon.The dark orange colour was a surprise and the overly malty brew was quite difficult to quaff.The 5% strength was very evident ,but there was little hop character nor lasting bitterness.The fruit sensation mentioned in ratebeer reviews was just absent.I had to wash it down with a Dark Star American Pale Ale which as always was excellent.

I haven't seen this for a while but I think they are a top brewer judging by recent examples of their Apache IPA and VPA. The George isn't infallible as I had a fairly indifferent pint of an Oakham beer there last summer. Maybe you just caught the tail end of the cask.

[Thuck Phat]

The Drinkable

Darkstar - American Pale Ale 4.7% (TP)
Butcombe - Great Grey Owl 3.6% (MD)
Portobello - APA 5% (Aqua)
Long Man - APA 4.8% (Aqua)
St Austell - Proper Job 4.5% (LC)
Sadlers - Hop Monster 5% (LC)
Magic Rock - High Wire 5.5% (LC)
Tillingbourne - Hop Troll (BF)
Church End - Fallen Angel 5% (TP)
Blue Monkey - US Ape 7.5% (TP)

The Less Drinkable

Big Hand Zeta 3.6% (TP)
Greene King - Yardbird 4% (BF by proxy)
Caledonian - All American 4.1% (MD)
Portobello - American Pale Ale 5% (BF, MD)