Scuttlebutt Amber - Scuttlebutt Brewing Company

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at their brewery

Poured a clear amber with a modest white head that receded to a thin ring. Basic toasted malts in the aroma, nutty, and slightly earthy. More basic-ness in the taste: toasted malts, honey-roasted peanuts, with some earthy hops for balance. Medium mouthfeel, and pretty easy to drink, though nothing unique.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 22:05:25 | More by Rifugium

CampusCrew

Florida

4/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance: more on the reddish apprearnce with
a little amber glow, not much.

smell: light hop aroma, caramel

taste: mostly carmamel malt flavor, decently balanced aiwht ow hop presence.

mouthfeel: light-medium bodied

drinkability: an avg amber ale could have used more hops.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 18:04:32 | More by CampusCrew

cjgator3

Florida

3.18/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle

A- Pours a clear amber color with an off-white head with good lacing.

S- The aroma is sweet malt, a lot of caramel and some hops.

T- The taste like the aroma starts out with a good dose of sweet toasted malt with a mild bitterness in the finish from the hops.

M- The mouthfeel is light bodied with a high amount of carbonation.

D- Overall, I would have like some more hops to balance out the nice malty sweetness in the aroma and taste but this is a pretty decent amber overall that is worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 03:44:49 | More by cjgator3

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.23/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

22 ounce bomber - $3.99 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia. Discretely described by their website as being "Most popular." Let's give their greatest hit a try!

Appearance: Pours a clearish, amber-tan body with a modest-sized, near white head that soon settles into an inner-glass encircling ring.

Smell: Aroma of toasted, bready malts, nuts, and overcooked, bitterish caramel permitting notes of tart-scented fruit and dried, earthy herbs to join in.

Taste: Maltiness of toasty bread crumbs tossed up with lightly charred caramelized sugars and unsalted peanuts. Moderately sweet. Herbal, leafy, earthy hops with hints of dried citrus and sufficient, balancing bitterness. Very light tart fruitiness buried in the taste. A jerk of soap lather late in the taste, kind of spoiling the whole proceedings for me. Nutty, soapy, lightly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: I'm drinking it, and, yes, I'll finish, but I'm just not really loving it. A so-so amber, at best. Maybe their less popular beers will resound with me.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 20:23:42 | More by ChainGangGuy

flagmantho

Washington

3.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer on-tap at the brewery in a six-ounce sample glass.

Appearance: rich golden amber hue with a crystal clear body and one finger of rich ivory foam. I like it.

Smell: light, sweet malt with attractive floral hops; good, but low intensity for my taste.

Taste: similar to the aroma, but stronger and more well rounded. The sweet malt and complementary floral hops may not be for everyone, but I quite enjoyed it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with low-to-OK carbonation. Passable.

Drinkability: tasty and refreshing -- I'd definitely order this again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2010 02:56:49 | More by flagmantho

bigbluebeerguy

Kentucky

3.4/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass, nice coppery-red, very little head despite a fairly aggressive pour. No lacing to speak of.

Smell was fairly typical of the style, mostly malt, with a hint of sweetness, maybe a little nut and slightly metallic.

Taste was better than the smell. Again the malt is prevalent, as expected. Got a little more hops on the flavor side than the smell. A slight syrup sweetness, not too much though. Overall a pretty balanced brew.

Feels good in the mouth, medium body, medium carbonation. Little if any after taste.

A very drinkable brew. I could enjoy several of these at a sitting. May have to swing another trade and get a few more. Thanks beertunes!

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2010 23:59:03 | More by bigbluebeerguy

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured a dark amber color with good carbonation and a nice white head

S: Smelled metallic, caramel, molasses

T: Taste was bready, caramel, molasses and sugars

M: Mouthfeel is medium to light, not appealing, sharp metallic feel, flat on taste

D: Pass

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2010 20:23:38 | More by barleywinefiend

beertunes

Washington

3.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a pleasing reddish amber with a half inch of tan head that had decent retention and minimal lacing.

The aroma was the expected malty scent typical of the style, with a nice tang of hops at the back of the scent. The flavor was a pleasant surprise, mostly malt of course, with a pleasing floral hop taste and some citrus hops on the finish.

The body was fairly typical for the style, a little fuller than medium bodied. The drinkability was very good,I would (and have) take a couple of sixers of these to parties or cookouts where the crowd may not be beer enthusiasts, and I'm happy with this beer and so are the civilians who try it.

Overall, a pretty good example of the style, worth some effort to try.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2010 22:36:35 | More by beertunes

RedDiamond

Oregon

4/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear crimson-brown with a smattering of lather. The taste and aroma show gentle alt-like properties with smooth malty contours, modest hop balances (from Mt. Hood and Willamette hops), and a vague suggestion of hazelnut. Easily approachable and sessionable. And often available in six-packs at bargain prices.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2009 03:42:46 | More by RedDiamond

spencerw

Washington

3.4/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was my first Scuttlebutt brew I've tried.

A: Poured a reddish / brown in color with a 1-2 inch head that disappeared quickly to nothing and left very minimal lacing as I took the first sip.

S: The aroma of malt is present but anything else was hard to identify. Slightly fruity and perhaps a little spicy. Refreshing and crisp sense though.

T: Rather unique beer and I like it. The hops pick up at the tail end...someone bland fruity such as clove and banana...even some apple present. Slight creamy / buttery taste as well. It is a very nice beer and refreshing. The malt is pretty tone and there is a smooth carbonation present as well.

M: Medium-bodied, crisp and refreshing. I'm thinking best served cold. Could almost pass for a light Hef.

D: Very smooth and drinkable. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Not a beer that has ANY uniqueness but one absolutely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2009 02:10:59 | More by spencerw

Bookseeb

Washington

4.18/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a nice amber color with a thin head and no lace. smell has sweet malts, molasses and floral hops. Taste has a nice combonation of the sweet malt and hops that goes down very easy. Mouthfeel is medium having nice carbonation. A very enjoyable brew that I will more than likely get again.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2009 02:39:50 | More by Bookseeb

LieutenantWort

Washington

3.4/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Looking for an accessible amber or APA to tap for a large party... Mac & Jack's African Amber & Deschutes Twilight are on the short list, but wanted to give this a try.

Appearance is OK. Color is great -- a deep ruby/copper, very clear, with active carbonation. Not much head though, just a thin ring around the edge of the glass.

Nose is not impressive. A little too sharp and sour... like a fistful of pennies or maybe some pine sap that's "turned."

Taste is OK, better than the nose. There's bready flavor combined with an initial rush of sweet malts that fades very quickly to a bitter finish. The first couple of sips actually reminded me a bit of mass-market beers like MGD -- though this has way more depth, the initial notes aren't too far off from a typical macro-brew.

Mouthfeel and drinkability are both decent if unremarkable. I'm surprised at the bitter finish seeing as how little hops are present in the overall flavor. Guess they're just hiding out at the back waiting to ambush you... without that odd finishing note, the drinkability would be higher.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2009 04:26:45 | More by LieutenantWort

Chelsea1905

Washington

3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter from a 22oz bottle. Appearance of a dark amber colour, with a think off white head that dissapeared quickly and didn't leave lacing.

Smelled as if it was straight from a can! Seriously, this smelled more metalic than the tin man's underpants! Some malt, and some caramel, but that really is taking good deep whiffs to get past the metalic smell

The taste was a little better than the smell, but if you'd have blindfolded me, I'd ahve said this was from a can. Some sweet malt, and a little bit of caramel aftertaste. Shame, as I like some of their stuff, but this was disappointing

Mouthfeel is medium to light, and not effervescent, so that is about the best part of the beer

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2009 03:07:05 | More by Chelsea1905

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.53/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed on 10/16/08. Bottle courtesy of scrizzz. Pours a clear amber/orange with a small ring of white head. Aroma of buttery popcorn and sweet malt. Flavor of sweet sugary fruitiness, strawberry, and nice malt. Pretty tasty and drinkable. I'm surprised at these low ratings because this is a good amber!
7/4/7/4/14 (3.6/5)

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 19:20:34 | More by LilBeerDoctor

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

2.6/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Not one of their best beers since there seems to be a off note in the finish that consists of a metallic taste and a slight feel of thinness. This is a malt forward beer but the hops are still around however I could barely finish the glass due to the off flavours. Try their IPA instead which is pretty good

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2008 16:03:56 | More by canucklehead

tbeck

Washington

2.93/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bought this at the Beer Shoppe in Yakima, WA.

Pours a dark amber/purple in color with little to no head. Little clarity. Little to no aroma, what little you can smell is malt. Very sweet and malty, has a bitter aftertaste. Light in texture with a bit a carbonation. I was not excited by this beer, the taste was off but not offensive. I do not care to have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2008 03:49:26 | More by tbeck

froghop

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pours a clear amber-red with a small light beige head, and some lacing.

smell of caramel, malt, some nuts, and a few hops.

taste is creamy, caramel, sweet malt, earthy, a touch of citrus, and some nuts, end is bitter and slightly sour.

overall just an average brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2008 14:26:06 | More by froghop

kosmoraios

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this one in Everett, nice and fresh.

Pours a deep bronze colour with ample carbonation and a lasting white head. Aroma is of light, sweet malts and some lavenderish floral tones.

Taste is of lightly toasted malts, well-balanced with hops. More hops than I'm used to in an American Amber, so I'm pleasantly surprised. The hops are quite floral and just bitter enough to add a nice balance to the sweet malts.

Not a bad Amber at all, drinkable and sessionable for sure. Nice for a Seattle Summer day.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2008 21:12:30 | More by kosmoraios

piclee

Washington

3.48/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I was not able to pour this beer into a glass because it was handed to me by the brewer directly off the bottling line. There were no glasses in sight. Foam could still be seen in the neck of the bottle before twisting off the cap. Aroma leans toward the malty sweet side, subtle earthy/herbal hop notes can also be found behind the malt. Tastes just like it smells, the caramel malty sweetness is followed by the herbal hops flavors with just a touch of spiciness. Medium bodied in feel with wonderful carbination, probably linked the fact that it was so fresh. I would have another and would recommend giving this beer a try. For now I'm going to go have the other bottle I was given so I can drink both before they are even a day old (in the bottle).

This review may have been slightly affected by the fact that I was mesmerised by the bottling line filling numerous 12 oz. bottles one after another without ceasing, while I was enjoying my beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2008 05:20:10 | More by piclee

RJLarse

Washington

4.08/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I bought a bomber of Scuttlebutt Amber at a grocery store, while on a business trip last month. Poured in to a pint tumbler.

Pours a rich copper/bronze color and is slightly hazy. A bubbly beige head forms atop the brew, and produces some lacing while it lasts.

The smell is fairly strong with a sweet malt aroma. Some earthy floral notes as well.

The taste is a toasted biscuit flavor, with some caramel malt taste along side. There is a peaty flavor, and very little bitterness. A lot of malt and grain, very little sweetness or bitterness in the flavor.

Mouthfeel is full-bodied and smooth but light and crisp.

Probably one of the more drinkable amber ales I have had. Very drinkable, very sessionable, and it would be good most any time. I would have this again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2007 00:05:52 | More by RJLarse

unklesyd

Oregon

2.53/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours a muddled umber with a quickly dissipating head.

Thin medium-dark crystal grain aroma. Some very slight, non-identifiable hop combines in the aroma to provide a little cut to prevent overwhelming sweetness.

Thin, acidic flavor, just shy of metalic. Some bitterness, no discernible hop flavoring on the tongue, but very slight cascade in the aftertaste.

Much too cutting, not easy to drink. Best thing this beer has going for it is the mermaid on the label.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2006 22:20:23 | More by unklesyd

masikon

Washington

3.18/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is becoming a staple here in northwest Washington and seems to have really caught on in the last few years. True to the name it comes out an honest amber color with a somewhat fizzy head and active carbonation. Nose is sweet, rich, and malty. Taste for me is heavy on malty sweetness and quite syrupy, Not quite balance by the hops which come in late but don't quite take out that sweet mouthfeel completely. Overall i'd say this is a fair effort but I found its too sweet to sit and drink as a session beer, and not really unique or interesting enough to make me want to drink it on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2005 02:30:44 | More by masikon

beertaster13

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +25%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a magnificent red sap with a nice off white head that dissolves as the session goes on. The smell is a very light but pleasant floral and hints of pine trees. A butter cup molasses is slightly detected. The taste has a nice citrus ping to it, light enough so non-hop lovers will like it, but also hop fans will be happy as well. Perfectly rounded, a nice plum taste goes nicely with the caramel malts. Lighter than many Amber's but still tasty. Very drinkable, good session beer.

Note: also reviewed this under Amber

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2005 02:12:56 | More by beertaster13

xoqx

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance – A barely-clouded medium amber colored brew has a irregular offwhite head that deteriorated unnaturally quickly.

Smell – Not a whole lot in the smell here. Hints of some hops, but not enough to determine the characteristics of the flower.

Taste – The hops are the focus of this amber ale, which is not the standard for this style. If it were not this heavily hopped, I don’t think it’s malt structure would be enough to hold the beer up. It tends toward a watery taste. All that said, I would rather drink this than any sort of macro lager. I recommend trying this beer once to see if you like it. Don’t expect anything wonderful.

Mouthfeel – A little flat. This could stand more carbonation… more malt for the yeast to work on.

Drinkability – This beer’s drinkability is hindered by its not being very good altogether. I would enjoy it as a hop-heavy Amber Ale, which could be an interesting interpretation of the style, but it simply doesn’t have the malt contribution needed to balance the beer. It makes me wonder if the brewery is compensating for a weak, poorly constructed beer by over hopping it.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2005 02:08:05 | More by xoqx

troutmask96

Washington

1.83/5  rDev -44.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I just busted my first bomber of this brew, and I don't know if this bottle is past its freshness date or not, but this might be the worst beer I've ever tasted. No, seriously. InCREDIBLY sour, with no redeeming flavor quality at all. Pretty mahogany color, and I like the label, but I'll definitely be avoiding this one in the future...

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2005 03:18:43 | More by troutmask96