A taste of… Blue Heron Pale Ale

Mendocino Brewing Company
1601 Airport Road
Ukiah, California, 95482
United States
(707) 463-2627

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Blue Heron Pale Ale was purchased for $2.50(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There was no “Best by” date on the bottle neck.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: There was a slight chill-haze to this antique gold colored brew. The carbonation is quite lively and forms a relatively dense slightly orange head of tiny and small bubbles. The Belgian lace is more knitted than tatted.

Aroma: The first impression is that of a light floral perfume. This is followed by a toasted grain aside that leaves the third visit to only confirm the first two impressions. The moment between lip and sip reveals little more.

Mouth feel: There is a full, creamy body to this brew that sharp sweet and bitter spikes immediately elevate into flavor sensations.

Flavor: The first impression is of a continuation of the flavors that came charging along with that full mouth feel. The second visit finds more of a grain flavor, more dry than sweet. The third sip has the taste receptors looking for specific flavors and left to chase after combinations of sweet and sharp-bitter that are hard to pin down. This is a game I would be pleased to play for at least an hour or so.

Finish: The finish is more dry than sweet and rather long lasting.

Comments: This is a large brew that enjoys a full body and such a close relationship between the flavors that it ends up being more fun to drink than study.

Food & Beer: There is enough flavor spikes of bitter and tangy hops to refresh the pallet after a rich braised dish of either flesh or foul. A relish of caramelized onions and a cranberry chutney would do no harm.

The Brewery: http://www.mendobrew.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/200/630

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/mendocino-blue-heron-pale-ale/354/