Now, the way I understand it, AB InBev has invigorated the Bass brand in the U.S and started brewing it at the Baldwinsville Brewery in New York in June of 2011.
So be it, let’s just find some information about this beer from the website, bassale.com.
Available filtered in bottles, cans, and kegs.
A version of Bass for the North American market at 5% to comply with USA ale regulations.
Brewed from the late 70’s at Burton. In 2000, after Interbrew bought the Bass brand, production was switched to the Ulster brewery in Northern Ireland. In 2003 production and distribution was switched to Latrobe for a 12-18 period. Now being made back in the UK once again by InBev.
After reading that, I have no idea where the beer is made. Heck with it, let’s just drink it.
This beer was poured from a 12 oz. bottle with an ABV of 5.0%.
The brewed poured a very clear, amber to copper/orange color with some burnt orange highlights at the bottom and around the edges of the glass. The head was off white, of good size, kind of fizzy and a bit soapy in texture. The retention time left a little to be desired and the lacing was slight.
The nose on the Bass Pale Ale was of some sweet caramel and toffee malt intermingled with some toasted grain and wheat bread characteristics. It was also rather “earthy” and “herbal” with a very relaxed hop profile. An inclination of dried leaves hid in the background. Overall, it seemed a touch stale, uncomplicated and mostly straight forward.
The taste brought forth more of the caramel and toffee malt. Additions of the “earthy”, toasted grains and wheat bread characteristics as well as a delicate fruity characteristic gave a little complexity. Some savors of buttered biscuits also played a supporting role. The bitterness was moderate, however everything seemed to be balanced well enough, although subdued and tenuous.
The mouthfeel was medium to medium/thin. Dry, crisp, refreshing and thirst quenching. A scant amount of flavor was left behind on the palate, but truth be told, it was quite a bit more than I was expecting.
Well, this beer is not horrible. It’s much better than I remember it being that’s for sure. In a lot of ways it reminded me of the Oktoberfest/Marzen beers more so than a Pale Ale. I guess the “toastiness” and the “earthiness” lends a hand in that respect. I think this beer could be a great beer to have around the BBQ or to have during the crisp Fall days. I also think it would show well as an introductory craft beer. It has some flavor and is relatively easy to drink, so that’s not all bad. Otherwise, it’s mostly just an average beer for me. Sure, I would drink it again if it were offered, however I don’t think that I will be going out of my way to grab a 6-pack of this anytime soon.
What beer would you guys recommend to a non-craft beer drinker to get them started down the “better beer” path?
Thanks for reading and commenting folks. It’s greatly appreciated.
Until next time. Cheers.
Score: 3.15 out of 5
Grade: C+
Beer Apprentice - Craft Beer News, Reviews, Interviews and Info. 
rickyleepotts
January 20, 2012 at 2:40 am
I have had a few of these… never make a habit of ordering one. I would say your grade is accurate.
So I have been meaning to ask you… why are you writing these? Just one beer at a time, or is there a list/goal? Just curios!
rickyleepotts
January 20, 2012 at 2:40 am
I have had a few of these… never make a habit of ordering one. I would say your grade is accurate.
So I have been meaning to ask you… why are you writing these? Just one beer at a time, or is there a list/goal? Just curios!
Scott Shrewsberry
January 20, 2012 at 3:07 am
No goal. Just a way to kind of document what I'm trying. I just try to post a review a day. Some are good…. some not so much. Some are beers I've had before and some I've never even heard of.
I got tired of the whole ratebeer and beeradvocate thing. Nobody would interact and I had no idea if anyone was reading my reviews.
This blog is nothing special. Just something for me to do.
What do you think of the reviews? I would love some criticism. Either positive or negative.
Cheers.
Scott.
Scott Shrewsberry
January 20, 2012 at 3:07 am
No goal. Just a way to kind of document what I'm trying. I just try to post a review a day. Some are good…. some not so much. Some are beers I've had before and some I've never even heard of.
I got tired of the whole ratebeer and beeradvocate thing. Nobody would interact and I had no idea if anyone was reading my reviews.
This blog is nothing special. Just something for me to do.
What do you think of the reviews? I would love some criticism. Either positive or negative.
Cheers.
Scott.
rickyleepotts
January 20, 2012 at 3:41 am
I am new… but dude, your reviews are great. I love the whole “grade” thing. We rate our beers 1-5… and I have actually been “yelled” at by BA. Regardless, I love beer and I like writing about it. It's fun for us.
Where do you get all your beer from?
rickyleepotts
January 20, 2012 at 3:41 am
I am new… but dude, your reviews are great. I love the whole “grade” thing. We rate our beers 1-5… and I have actually been “yelled” at by BA. Regardless, I love beer and I like writing about it. It's fun for us.
Where do you get all your beer from?
Scott Shrewsberry
January 20, 2012 at 3:45 am
I get most of my beers from Chucks Wine and Spirits. I wrote a post about them (left hand side of the blog under “popular posts”). They have a great selection, however I've found a new place in the same town that I'm hoping to do a post on in the next few months.
Thanks for the compliment on the blog. I really appreciate it. That means a lot coming from you.
Scott Shrewsberry
January 20, 2012 at 3:45 am
I get most of my beers from Chucks Wine and Spirits. I wrote a post about them (left hand side of the blog under “popular posts”). They have a great selection, however I've found a new place in the same town that I'm hoping to do a post on in the next few months.
Thanks for the compliment on the blog. I really appreciate it. That means a lot coming from you.
rickyleepotts
January 20, 2012 at 3:46 am
That's cool man. And my pleasure buddy. But who am I? I'm just a blogger who likes beer!
rickyleepotts
January 20, 2012 at 3:46 am
That's cool man. And my pleasure buddy. But who am I? I'm just a blogger who likes beer!
Scott Shrewsberry
January 20, 2012 at 3:47 am
Same here man. I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. Haha.
I just drink the stuff.
Scott Shrewsberry
January 20, 2012 at 3:47 am
Same here man. I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. Haha.
I just drink the stuff.
Anonymous
August 14, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Just sat down in a Scottish themed restaurant. I went with a Bass and started looking for info. Yours is the best. It's cool to know you're just a guy trying beers. At first I thought “He can't taste all that stuff.” That's what I always think of wine descriptions. Then the buttered biscuits comment and I thought “Man it DOES taste like buttered biscuits.” The one I'm drinking now is a draft. American beers get the rep of being mass produced blandness. Well, Bass is bland. That's my critique.
I have tried making some WordPress blogs and yours looks great.
Thank for the review. I just ordered a Harp:)
Anonymous
August 14, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Just sat down in a Scottish themed restaurant. I went with a Bass and started looking for info. Yours is the best. It's cool to know you're just a guy trying beers. At first I thought “He can't taste all that stuff.” That's what I always think of wine descriptions. Then the buttered biscuits comment and I thought “Man it DOES taste like buttered biscuits.” The one I'm drinking now is a draft. American beers get the rep of being mass produced blandness. Well, Bass is bland. That's my critique.
I have tried making some WordPress blogs and yours looks great.
Thank for the review. I just ordered a Harp:)
Scott Shrewsberry
August 15, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Anonymous,
Thanks for checking on my blog for some reference. I really appreciate that and it means a great deal to me. My findings are just my opinion and sometimes they are not even close to what a lot of professional tasters find. I just try to enjoy the beer and pick out a few subtleties.
Be sure to check back in from time to time. I try to post often.
Cheers,
Scott
Scott Shrewsberry
August 15, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Anonymous,
Thanks for checking on my blog for some reference. I really appreciate that and it means a great deal to me. My findings are just my opinion and sometimes they are not even close to what a lot of professional tasters find. I just try to enjoy the beer and pick out a few subtleties.
Be sure to check back in from time to time. I try to post often.
Cheers,
Scott