Bayhawk CPA (California Pale Ale), Bayhawk Ales, Orange County
Jul 02 '01 (Updated Jul 04 '01)
The Bottom Line A microbrewed pale ale from Orange County. Satisfying and adequate English style pale ale with an added California signature tang. Worth trying.
Bayhawk CPA, Bayhawk Ales, Irvine CA
Southern California is not exactly well known for its brew scene, with more than the majority of the state’s brewing activity taking place further up north. It didn’t take me much by surprise then, when I found out that a brewery I knew nothing about, Bayhawk Ales was Orange County’s oldest and largest microbrewery.
Bayhawk Ales
Bayhawk Ales began operation in 1994, and gave birth to its first ale in February 1995.They specialize in brewing own brand beers for restaurants and bars in California, Arizona and Nevada, and claim that they might just be “the greatest beer you never knew you drank”. I did see a link to Outback Steakhouse on their website, and now wonder if the Outback Amber I tried actually came from this brewery.
The brewhouse is a 15bbl facility, and is attached to the Irvine branch of McCormick's & Schmidt's Seafood restaurant chain.
The breweries product range covers:
* Honey Blonde
* Hefeweizen
* Amber Ale
* Chocolate Porter
* California Pale Ale
* Beach Blonde Lager
* O.C. Lager
All are available in 5 gallon and 15.5 gallon kegs. Chocolate Porter and CPA (California Pale Ale) are also available in 22oz bottles.
California Pale Ale (CPA)
There’s no real written definition of a CPA, but my initial guess would be that there is a tangy finish, such is the style in California.
The brewer’s specifications are as follows:
Type of Beer: American Pale Ale
Original Gravity: 1060
ABV: 5.4%
Grist: Malted Barley, Pale Ale, Carapils & Carmel Malt
Hops: Cascade & Centennial
IBU's: 35
Tasting Notes
The beer comes out of the bottle very impressively. I was actually not expecting much as I’d had it in my refrigerator for 6 months, but there were no signs of deterioration. It’s a fairly light amber body, with a firm sponge-like white foam. I was particularly impressed by the bubble activity which formed into an initial tornado in the glass and twisted a couple of times, followed by a constant uprising of bubbles, not dissimilar to a snow globe.
My first thoughts, in the aroma were that this could be in IPA. There’s a chocolaty malt and a well defined hop aroma. I also got a few brief signs of spice.
Upon tasting, the carbonation is not as strong as it had looked. Instead it’s very smooth and foamy, with a medium body.
The flavor reveals a lightly malty start, turning into smooth honey or caramel in the middle. It finishes a little tangy and citric. Having mentioned IPA similarities a couple of times, I should note that it is generously hopped but doesn’t quite bite like the US versions of those brews.
There’s a lingering aftertaste but it’s not particularly strong. It left me with a light honey-like sweetness and just a little overlaying citrus.
Verdict
This is an easy drinking, thirst quenching pale ale, and the flavors while not intense did just about enough. I would sum it up as unspectacular but adequate. A little more body and depth in flavor would be nice.
It’s very much of an English-style pub ale with just a little California tang thrown in. It did enough to persuade me to drink it again, and I may have to make a trip to the brewery at some time to find out what the other products offer.
It would make a good summertime ale because it’s not too demanding or heavy. I would recommend Paella or Fish and Chips as suitable food pairings.
Price & Availability
The bottle was very reasonably priced at $1.99 for a large 22oz bottle. As for availability, I doubt that this would stretch too far north of LA, or east of Phoenix.
Brewer’s Website
www.bayhawkales.com
Ratings
Appearance: 4/5 Aroma: 6/10 Palate: 2/5 Flavor: 7/10 Overall: 13/20
Score: 3.2 (Recommended)
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
andaryl
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: Andrew Smith
Location: The Desert, So Cal
Reviews written: 219
Trusted by: 175 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc.