Bulldog Amber Ale - Half Pints Brewing Company

presario

Alberta (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thick lasting fluffy head. Amber. stronger nose than most of Rudge’s Bushwakker beers. Noticeable hop presence. Flavour seems hoppy for only 20 IBUs. More like a Bitter than an Amber. Chewy malt presence grows on you. A very decent beer for a Bar-B-Q.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2006 01:37:47 | More by presario

BigGruntyThirst

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%

02-16-2013 23:55:11 | More by BigGruntyThirst

Tarks

Manitoba (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%

11-12-2012 03:22:36 | More by Tarks

robuncorked

3/5  rDev -16.4%

10-18-2012 20:45:32 | More by robuncorked

4ster

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

09-28-2012 20:00:33 | More by 4ster

Litrecola

Manitoba (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +18.4%

09-14-2012 20:01:01 | More by Litrecola

ptarmigan98

Manitoba (Canada)

3/5  rDev -16.4%

08-11-2012 22:48:08 | More by ptarmigan98

mmurphy525

Nova Scotia (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

08-06-2012 13:45:52 | More by mmurphy525

TheBeermin

Saskatchewan (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -30.4%

07-10-2012 01:44:13 | More by TheBeermin

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bulldog Amber looks like a sunset awash in rhubarb juice. It has a great orange-y-pink colour and striking, glossy complexion that is transparent although not altogether clear. Its head could be called soapy or sudsy but only for so long; after a certain point the only word to describe it would be 'non-existent'. Same goes for lacing.

The grassy, floral qualities of U.K. Golding hops are pleasant, although I find pine resin and grapefruit ideal matches for nutty crystal malts. (Then again I enjoy peanut butter and roast beef sandwiches. These things are subjective.) However, what concerns me more than which variety of hops were used is the quantity - this is only mildly hoppy, at best.

The fact that it's a bit under-hopped is easy to forgive considering that it's well malted. Lots of nutty-sweet crystal maltiness abounds and with it notes of toffee, pecan, praline and just a hint of rum-raisin. And it's not like the hops were entirely disregarded either. Traces of tree bark and flower petal can be appreciated, especially on the finish.

Given all its nutty sweetness, the beer drinks quite smoothly with little bitterness to get in the way; 20 bittering units is a modest amount for any style but especially in an amber ale. A few more kettle hops might have amounted to a bit of spiciness, lending the beer the additional texture needed to earn a higher grade for mouthfeel.

Half Pints' portfolio is up-and-down as solid as a brick house. Their amber ale demonstrated all the quality and craftsmanship I've come to expect from this brewery. There's nothing not to like here. Anyone comparing Bulldog to the highest rated ambers is failing to appreciate what is a well balanced, super agreeable and highly enjoyable ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 01:17:37 | More by biegaman

joefinnigan15

3/5  rDev -16.4%

05-25-2012 05:12:10 | More by joefinnigan15

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a orange amber with two finger widths of foamy and fluffy off white head.

Smell- Caramel malts, nutty characteristic, and mild hops.

Taste- Caramel malts followed by the nutty characteristic. Mild earthy hops are present. A slight tartness at the end (which came as a surprise).

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Leaves a pleasant tart and dry finish.

Overall- A nice amber ale by Half Pints. Supplies the classic caramel malts and nutty flavours but kicks it up with the hops and slight tartness. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 04:20:41 | More by leaddog

Dayna

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%

04-15-2012 23:28:24 | More by Dayna

rinhaak

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%

03-16-2012 17:26:11 | More by rinhaak

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +11.4%

02-18-2012 04:35:17 | More by Daniellobo

Howlader

Virginia

3/5  rDev -16.4%

01-30-2012 04:57:40 | More by Howlader

adhallick

Manitoba (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

01-29-2012 15:04:29 | More by adhallick

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz into tulip.

A- Clear rich amber pour with a finger width soapy white head and moderate sticky lacing.

S- There is a nutty sweetness, slight brown sugar with a nice pastry aroma. Hops are very faint but floral.

T- Slight butterscotch and slight grassy. Very balanced between sweet and bready.

M- Light bodied, chewey and smooth.

O- I tend to stick to more bold styles but this is something I would enjoy all night.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 00:09:01 | More by korguy123

schopenhauerale

British Columbia (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

01-19-2012 05:41:37 | More by schopenhauerale

WoodersonMB

Manitoba (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

12-27-2011 01:16:40 | More by WoodersonMB

jmdr

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +11.4%

12-11-2011 22:01:29 | More by jmdr

EskimoDave

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +11.4%

11-28-2011 06:52:36 | More by EskimoDave

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle from kjyost. Thanks.

A - Pours a nice copper with mild carbonation. One finger of off white head at a sort of foamy texture. Moderate chunks of lace and a half finger of filmy head.

S - Bread, caramel, earthy hops, and a yeasty note.

T - Caramel/toffee, bready, yeasty, and earthy again. Maybe a pear or apple flavour too.

M - Nice carbonation lifting it off the tongue. Medium body. Easy to drink.

O/D - Meh. Nothing overly interesting. Pretty simple. Well crafted and probably what it set out to be, which is an easy drinking amber-ish beer. OK, but I wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 00:12:00 | More by tbeckett

marty21

Manitoba (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear amber/orange with a nice white head that eventually settles to a very nice solid cap that lasts the entire time. Nice lacing present for the most part.

S: A crisp biscuit malt smell as well as some floral hops.

T: A sweet caramel malt and flowery hops taste. Very sweet.

M: It has a medium body with very light carbonation. Finishes a bit dry. Wouldn't mind a bit more carbonation to make the sweet aftertaste more crisp.

D: Not my favorite offering from Half Pints but still a decent amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 23:55:42 | More by marty21

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to kjyost for this one. Had it with my supper, takeout chicken.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle.

Appearance: A big 3 fingers of head appears atop a ... well... amber body that kind of looks like dark honey. The foam lasts quite a while and leaves some decent lacing.

Smell: Lots of malt, roasted maybe? A bit of hops also.

Taste: Tastes like a red ale. More malt than hops though the hops leave their mark in the aftertaste. A nice overall caramel flavor minus the sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Active carbonation with a smooth, restrained bitterness.

Drinkability: I'd have it again. Drinks rather well.

Overall: I really dug this red ale. Nothing mind blowing but makes an average style stand out.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2010 22:25:51 | More by papat444