BEER REVIEW: 458

BREWER: Pressure Drop, North London, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 17th July 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

On a cold morning, with the mountains rising like silent sentinels and the last embers of a long‑faded fire glowing faintly at my feet, Pale Fire seems an apt companion.

In the glass it shows itself with a soft mango glow, the kind of colour that hints at warmth even when the air bites at your fingertips.

The can itself is unremarkable, a swimming pool set against a mountain backdrop, a curious choice that does not quite speak to the beer within, though the colours do their best to catch the eye.

The aroma rises quickly, full of mango and only lightly chased by citrus, a nose that is confident in its fruit and makes no attempt to hide it.

The first sip confirms the modern IPA lineage, citra and mosaic doing their familiar dance, the mango leading with a small flourish before the citrus steps in to remind you it is present. The bitterness arrives at the end, clean and brisk, but the finish slips away sooner than expected, like the last spark in the ash that glows and then is gone.

It is not exceptional, no, but it is good, and in this quiet mountain air with the cold settling in, it feels like a small, welcome flame.

Sammy’s Rating: 74%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

With the Hockney-esque swimming pool in the foreground and the soft pink coated mountains in the background I have to say this tin is without doubt aesthetically pleasing. Though I’m not sure it suits a tin of beer brilliantly, it certainly is a very soothing scene.

The name Pale Fire should be great. The beer, well, it’s a Pale. It is actually close to fire (more of this soon, I promise, just stay with me for a few seconds longer). But the name annoys me. The reason. No clue. Literally no clue. But it does. (This is why I get paid the big bucks in the world of beer reviewing.)

Moving to the brew itself (well done if you made it this far), Pale Fire is a wee gem I tell ya! Though not stepping out of the medium ABV Pale norm, there is most definitely a point of difference here.

See, Pale Fire is a fairly humble 4.8% but is bringing the noise when it comes to flavour and depth. The classic grapefruit presence is… present. Lime also stakes a claim. Lychee flavour is kicking around too bringing a very soft glimpse at sweetness. But there is a slight sour element knocking about as well that almost rounds everything off.

Really drinkable. Interesting. Not your run of the mill pale.

Defo worth searching out folks.

Jymi’s Rating: 82%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78%

MOB review next weekend: PILSNER URQUELL by PLZENSKY PRAZDROJ

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

museonbooze.com

M O B 2026