Woodmoor Beer Appreciation Society

Pale Ale Tasting I
12 February 2000 - Pales Ales Round I

This was our first blind tasting and our first use of a structured scorecard. The scorecard was a hybrid from The American Homebrewing Association and Ale University. We rated 10 Pale Ales from the US and Great Britain in 6 categories: Appearance, Aroma, Mouthfeel, Taste, Aftertaste, and Overall Impression. We went through the 10 ales and then had another round where tasters could go back and revisit any of the ales that they wanted to try again. In the first table I've listed the average scores for each category and the average overall score. In the second table I've listed the overall score by taster and included comments. Highest scores are listed in RED. Our overall winner was Steelhead Extra Pale Ale followed by Catamount Pale Ale and Saranac Pale Ale
Pale Ales Appearance Aroma Mouthfeel Taste Aftertaste Overall Score
0-5
0-5
0-5
0-10
0-10
0-15
0-50
Michelob Pale Ale 3.4 1.8 3.4 5.2 5.0 7.2 26.0
Steelhead Extra Pale Ale 3.4 3.2 4.0 7.8 7.2 12.2 37.8
Wolavers Pale Ale 2.4 2.6 3.0 4.6 3.6 6.4 22.6
Sam Adams Boston Ale 5.0 2.2 2.8 6.0 5.0 8.0 29.0
Blue Heron Pale Ale 3.6 3.8 3.8 6.2 6.4 9.8 33.6
Double Diamond Ale 4.8 0.2 1.0 1.8 2.2 4.8 14.8
Catamount Pale Ale 3.0 3.8 4.0 7.8 6.6 12.2 37.4
Saranac Pale Ale 4.4 4.2 3.6 7.0 6.6 10.2 36.0
Oliver's Ironman Pale Ale 3.4 3.2 3.2 4.8 3.8 6.0 24.4
Bass Pale Ale 4.0 1.8 2.4 4.8 4.2 5.8 23
Pale Ale Doug Bill Tom Rich Scott Comments
Michelob Pale Ale 30 28 24 21 27 very avg/common, kissing your sister
Steelhead Extra Pale Ale 37 33 39 43 36 floral, nice finish and aftertaste
Wolavers Pale Ale 22 26 25 12 28 bitter medicinal aftertaste
Sam Adams Boston Ale 34 29 29 19 34 rich flavor, malty, bitter aftertaste
Blue Heron Pale Ale 30 32 32 36 36 very hoppy, high finish on the palate
Double Diamond Ale 15 19 5 13 23 skunky, skunk overpowers everything
Catamount Pale Ale 34 36 39 37 39 smooth, good head, malty, alcoholic finish, pleasant hops bitterness
Saranac Pale Ale 34 33 37 35 41 Floral hoppiness, good mouthfeel
Oliver's Ironman Pale Ale 36 31 24 17 14 spicy medicinal, leathery, soapy aftertaste, the Campari of beers
Bass Pale Ale 27 22 22 14 30 not much body, weak flavor, paper
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