This one is an example of an American Amber Ale or Red Ale. This style is usually heavier on the malt, sometimes toasted or even smoked, contains hops and very often has a fruity character to it, with spices sometimes present. Varying degrees and varieties of hops are often used. The American Amber Ale or Red Ale, is a kind of a catch all category for ales that are amber in color all the way to red. American Amber Ales are more or less, hopped up Pale Ales with have had crystal or other colored malts added to a Pale Ale, thus producing the darker color. American versions can sometimes even border on being an IPA, or India Pale Ale, with colored malt added in.
Bear Republic Brewing Co hails from Healdsburg, California. Tucked away in Sonoma County, which is known for it’s wine, Bear Republic is opening a new facility in Cloverdale, California. I wasn’t able to find much about the history of Bear Republic, but they appear to have begun as a modest brewpub in Healdsburg, with some ties to mountain biking. In fact, their website boasts that Red Rocket is the brew of choice for mountain bikers.
Poured a deep copper color into a tulip glass (should have been a pint glass, but this was the first thing I grabbed), dark enought that it almost appears brown. Moderate amount of carbonation produced a nice little set up bubbles that trickle on up to the top of the glass. The head is minimal, but that is nit uncommon for this style. The lacing left over sticks well to the glass.
Aroma is of caramle and roasted malts. This hits you immediately. At the same time, the pugnant hop aroma is just as prevalent, giving the overall aroma a nice balance. Some spice is detected, as well as faint citrus notes, although the citrus is not so prevalent. Worthy of another snif.
When tasting this one, I wasn’t sure if I had an IPA or not. Damn, but the hops were bountiful and bitter! Another sips finally brings out the roasted malts. The caramel was not quite as prevalent, although still present along with some definate spice.
Mouthfeel had a medium body to it. Exactly what I would expect form a beer tossed into this style. Crisp, yet not too much for an Amber ale.
Overall, a very nice brew. Similar in some ways to Green Flash Brewing Co’s Hop Head Red. I am always surprised and pleased with American Ambers, as they most often are so hopped up you can not help but get all giddy anticipating the next bottle. Red Rocket weighs oin at around 6.8% ABV, average for this style. Paired well with the Brat and steak fries I had for lunch. This one would also go well with a nice dish of homemade vanilla ice cream.
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