We have a dilemma here at Metasip World Headquarters. That dilemma? It involves whether or not to grade on a curve. And that conundrum is front and center when we tried the Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes.

IF we graded on a curve – a true bell curve – then we’d probably have to give some beers (and some wines and a few spirits) an…F. We’d also have to give as many an F as we gave an A.

And that’s not fair. If you think about it this way, for a brewery to even get to the point where their stuff is available to the public, it’s not bad, right?

I mean, even stuff that isn’t craft beer can be…passable.

So no bell curve here. It’s settled.

But, that doesn’t really tell us what to do with this Mirror Pond Pale Ale.

Because, the other problem with grading, and even not grading on a curve, might be over-compensating.

For instance, we’ve actually noticed beer available at Whole Foods that gets a grade of 100. We assume this is 100 on a 100-point scale. Thus, the beer is, by all intents and purposes…PERFECT.

That’s saying a lot. Even the best, absolute most awesome beer will not be perfect. It’s impossible.

Mirror Pond Pale Ale Review

You know what’s next: this Pale Ale from the people at Deschutes…comes pretty close to perfect. It gets our highest grade – an A. Here’s why.

Taste

It’s got plenty of it, and it’s a brilliant pale ale with the hoppy goodness that’s not overpowering. NOT bitter. It’s just bloody awesome, mates. Really. Awesome enough that we said that in a foreign accent, maybe British, or Scottish, or even Australian.

Profile

5% ABV – which we love because you don’t feel bad having a second one. 40 IBUs, so it’s not bitter.

Value

If memory serves, it was $8.99 for a six-pack. If it were $9.99 or $10.99 for a six-pack, it’s money well-spent. This stuff rocks.

Metasip Grade: A.

Not “A-” but a full-blown “A.” And this beer earned it.