When I reviewed Rising Sun Pale Ale from Baird Brewing Company, I also purchased a few more of their offerings including Red Rose Amber. This is a delicious amber ale with an inviting aroma and malty yet hop-spicy flavor. I actually enjoyed this amber ale more than their Pale Ale.The brewery describes this beer as follows:
The Red Rose is a most original Amber Ale – the result of high fermentation (with ale yeast) at an unusually low (lager-like) temperature. This robust, rich brew, with fruity, malty flavors, is nonetheless crisp, refreshing, and dry. As a rose – extravagantly layered, expansively fragrant, and just a bit prickly.
Date Reviewed. October 1, 2009.
Where I Found It. City Beer Store, San Francisco, CA.
Serving Type. 12 0z. bottle into a glass.
Appearance. Rose Red Amber Ale has a foamy head with a color like that of buttermilk pancakes batter. The head has some lasting power but does not leave a trace on the glass. The color of this beer has a brown-orange oak hue and is very clear. Even more clear if you don’t pour the sediment into your glass.
Smell. The hop bouquet is floral with a tinge of grapefruit citrus and maybe a little spicy. The floral and citrus sweetness is enhanced by a sweet malty, biscuit, amber aroma. There also seems to be a very subtle hint of white grapes, which makes me wonder if they used Nelson Sauvin hops. The smell is very inviting.
Taste. Red Rose Amber Ale is almost exactly what you would expect from the aroma and a little more. The flavor has sweet roasted malt and biscuit flavor juxtaposed by a spicy hop bitterness. This beer is actually a bit more bitter than I expected and I like it. The malt sweetness and floral qualities seem to give a hint of grape again in the taste but just a hint.
Mouthfeel. This is a medium to light bodied beer with a dry finish but the dryness does not mean flavorless because this beer is packed with flavor. It might be a bit too dry for my preference. The carbonation in this beer is very strong but gives a foamy feeling in the mouth.
Drinkability. Red Rose Amber Ale is crisp, malty, and bitter with a great nose making it very drinkable. The hop bitterness can intense but fades nicely just as you’re ready for the next bottle.
Rating. My ratings below are on a five point scale with five being the best score.
- Appearance (20%): 4.0
- Smell (20%): 4.0
- Taste (40%): 4.0
- Mouthfeel (10%): 3.5
- Drinkability (10%): 4.5
- Overall: 4.0
Information
- Style: amber ale
- Brewery: Baird Brewing Company
- Alcohol by volume: 5.4%
- Beer Advocate rating: 4.03 (as of May 16, 2010)
Other Reviews
A floral and malty sweet amber ale.
Red Rose Amber is an American-style amber ale beer brewed by Baird Brewing in Japan.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5