Red Marker Ale - Williamsburg AleWerks

obywan59

Virginia

3.69/5  rDev +16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear amber with an off-white head.

Smell is rich in malts with over ripe citrus and pine from the hops.

Light even sweetness from the malt up front, with a refreshingly fruity and bitter follow up by the hops.

There's a bite of carbonation early, but overall it's smooth and creamy. Maybe a bit too smooth.

Not a lot going on here, but I really like the fruity hop component. It played nicely off the sweet malt. A good spring brew, though it would probably be just as refreshing in summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 01:11:53 | More by obywan59

gregoryhersh

Texas

3.43/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nice, rich red/golden color. Not much head on the pour. Beer itself is dry, citrusy with pine aftertaste. Mouthfeel has the taste holding in the back of your cheeks for a while, but not too strong. A good sipping beer; nothing special, but tasty. Probably an autumn beer, not a mid-winter one as I'm trying.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 20:38:06 | More by gregoryhersh

damndirtyape

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle (batch code 07 12) poured into a shaker pint glass.

Appearance: Coppery orange with hints of red - maybe a tad murky on the table and slightly hazy. Not very bright for a red. Off white head upon pouring died back to a thin skin all the way across the top and a slightly thicker ring at the edge of the glass. Some strands of lacing here and there.

Smell: When first poured, mostly malt with caramel notes. As it warms up, not a lot of smell - bit of the malt, but muted. With a swirl I can pick some hops that are grassy, citrus, and piney combined.

Taste: Most of the flavor seems to come at the end with this beer. Hard to pick out much of anything at first, then a quick note of malt. The ending has tea-like bitterness, a bit of grapefruit citrus, toasted malt and cracker. Not really amazing in flavor, but definitely refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Despite not making a lot of noise upon cracking the bottlecap, the beer has lively carbonation on the tongue, just south of fizzy. Some lingering hop oils and stickiness on the teeth, but otherwise a bit watery.

Overall / Drinkability: It's just okay. Nothing amazing. I find one is enough and I'm done.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 23:46:13 | More by damndirtyape

Apellonious

North Carolina

3.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz out of a six from mcdougal's.

A - pours a murky reddish brown , with an odd green hue. Little to no head on the pour, thin lace.

S - malt toffieness, mild sourness, bread

T - More malts and bread, some mild hops and grains. Slight hints of smoke and chocolate. Pretty tasty, but nothing overly complex or noteworthy here. Fruit and some sweetness appear as the beer warms.

M - a little on the thin/watery side, but it has a good level of carbonation.

O - drinkable red/amber ale that is recommended to try, but doesnt quite hold up to some others in this category. Interested in trying some others from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 22:04:19 | More by Apellonious

57md

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours reddish-copper with a finger of head that dissipated quickly but left some lacing. Considerable amount of malt in the nose. Malt profile is solid upfront, but it thins out on the finish. The finish is slightly bitter, but it is definitely a diminuendo instead of a crescendo.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 04:22:22 | More by 57md

ckollias

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Pours a hazy brown hue with a frothy, white, 2-finger head that quickly dissipates in to a wispy lace leaving a nice trail down the glass.

S: Not a huge nose here. Malty scent with a slight hoppy background.

T: Smooth malty flavor that is a little more sweet than bitter. Finishes slightly hoppy.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Decent red ale – nothing special – or anything I would grab again. But it was enjoyable and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 01:25:49 | More by ckollias

jayhawk73

Maryland

3.1/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours an amber color with reddish highlights. Weak off white head, and minimal lacing on my snifter. The nose is bread, toast, caramel malt, and slight hops. Not bad. Taste is the same profile, but it's a little watered down in the taste department. Feel is medium, with malt roast coming through the most. Overall, an ok beer with several flaws. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 01:13:27 | More by jayhawk73

jfmorey

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Black Bear Bistro in Warrenton, VA

Very nice ruby amber color

Generally a good balance between malty and bitter hops, which is exactly what I want in this style of beer. Lacks the complexity for a higher rating, but certainly worth drinking.

I have also had this in a bottle, much better on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2011 20:36:27 | More by jfmorey

mralphabet

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from Growler filled by the kind people at Williamsburg Alewerks.... into a 16 oz pint glass.

A: Pours a nice dark copper color.. 2 fingers of big fluffy head.. that settles to a nice layer and ring... wonderful lacing from start to finish.

A: Right up front I'm getting sweet roasted malt.. hint of caramel and a little grassy hops.

T: Sweet caramel malt right up front, quickly changes over to a grassy hops mid palette and finishes with the bitter hops.

M: Mid bodied and a little oily from the hops.. Carbonation is pretty light.

O: Not a bad little Red... Little more hops than I'm used too in a red but not bad... ABV is good so this could be a good session beer it you liked it...

Serving type: growler

09-28-2011 04:17:09 | More by mralphabet

avalon07

South Carolina

2.65/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a light amber color and a clear consistency. There was a small amount of foamy head that quickly dissipated. Very little lacing.

S: A weird, slightly off-putting aroma of malt, hops and a soapy quality.

T: Tasted of some malt, piney hops, and that same soapy quality. Not a very appetizing flavor. Unfocused and a bit on the thin side.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a dry finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This is definitely not a very memorable beer. Could have been better than it was.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 12:11:33 | More by avalon07

rdub

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from the brewery fresh bottle into my new Williamsburg AleWerks pint glass. Side note: I tried all the brews from the Alewerks and they all shared a common taste, even between styles. Must be te water. Anyway, poured a murky reddish brown. Aroma of mostly malt with just a touch of hops. I'm thinking like a 4:1 ratio. Kind of reminded me of old school Killians. Just your basic red.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 02:09:37 | More by rdub

Bung

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz, Found this at the Grapevine in Fort Mill. Hope it's not too old, no idea on dating.
Poured a fairly vibrant red, very thin layer of white head. Doesn't retain and does not lace to well.

Very malty aroma, light leather and treacle. Lighter cocoa. Candied sugar also, pretty sweet. I could see how people would not like that, but for me it's fine.

Taste has much balancing hop presence. Piney and lightly spicey herbal hops equally present with solid caramel malt and peat, leather, some cocoa.

Heavy side of light bodied. Coats very well for a smaller beer. Carbonation more present in the mouth than appearance. Could drink a bunch of this no problem.

I must have got a newer bottler, none of the negative qualities described previously were found for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 03:15:20 | More by Bung

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an brownish amber color with a little head. Head fades fast due to it's loose structure and not much in way of lacing on the glass.

aroma is mostly of malts.

Taste is lightly malty with some biscuit at end.

Mouthfeel is medium and has a slight bitter finish. Carbonation is light.

An OK beer but I don't think I'd buy it again. Seems to lack flavor and is slightly weak. Some more hops for balancing would be good.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 17:41:07 | More by micromaniac129

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle, this beer is clear, brownish-amber, and presents a very small head. Clarity and color are quite nice. The smell is a mix of lightly roasted, biscuity malt and herbal hops. Modest aroma. The flavor is balanced, with a notable bitter finish. Hop flavor is muted in favor of bitterness. Some slickness in the mouthfeel, but otherwise medium in body. Balanced, semi-dry beer. The beer seems like something of a throwback...to fifteen or twenty years ago when every small brewery seemed to make a similar 'red ale'.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2011 01:57:00 | More by Suds

Chaney

District of Columbia

2.6/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A: Crystal clear, red color, with a nice tight bubbled (ala. nitro-tap) head that lingered throughout the session.

S: Melted "Astro Pop," with a bit of hoppy fruit in the mix as well.

T: The front part of the beer is great. Candy sugar, hops, and even a bit of vanilla. The aftertaste borders on tragic - bitter, rusted metal and then some.

M: Bitter, bitter, bitter.... on the aftertaste (which ruined the whole experience for me). The carbonation was fine and dandy, but I honestly didn't care.

O: This is one of those rare beers that a small tweak would make all the difference in the world. Here's to hoping...

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 20:03:38 | More by Chaney

7UCK

Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Poured out a cark ale, more of a brown/caramel color

S- Slight hops with a slight citrus.

T- a little bit of a roasted malt taste, with a slight bitter and hoppy taste.

D- A very potent after taste, but very smooth to drink

All in all not a bad beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2011 16:06:20 | More by 7UCK

msubulldog25

Oregon

2.83/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A new red ale (for me) from a new brewery (for me), a 12 oz. bottle sent by Metalmonk - a local for him, but certainly not one I'd find out here in Oregon. Batch code: '087037', for whatever that's worth.

A: Hmmm... well on the 'amber' side, it's almost crimson - a ruddy brown, that's exceedingly muddy-looking. One of the LEAST-filtered beers I've seen. A little carbonation hugs the nfringes, but I have no idea what's going on inside the murky core. Nice head, a light khaki 1/2-finger topping of cream

S: Sweeter and fruitier smell than I expected, quite malty and almost dessert-like. A glazed doughnut or citrus/sugar encrusted scone, maybe some 'breakfast cereal', too. Not sure that this was the point, but not a 'turn-off', truth be told...

T: Definitely on the malty/sweet side, tea-like and seemingly 'aged'... or just pedestrian tasting. A 'fresh' send from Virginia (arrived mere days ago), but who knows just how 'fresh' this really is. Flavors of red apple, baked (slightly dark) wheat, toasted walnuts and a little orange-citrus.

M: Really weak feel: seems to be 3/4 ale, 1/4 water. Carbonation seems scarce, but the feel still holds some 'crispness', thanks to a gentle hop spiciness.

D: Despite the muddy, unfiltered appearance, not a bad beer to look at, nor to smell. Taste and feel are definitely 'off' though, and so it's with some hesitation I'm even posting a review. If someone knows what the batch code means -and it proves to be well past due -I'm happy to rescind or modify my review. As such, though, not very good.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 00:37:26 | More by msubulldog25

Metalmonk

North Carolina

3.45/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Really like the looks of this beer...a deep mahogany red, just glorious, with a tan head that isn't the hugest, but certainly has amazing staying power. Add to that attractive slashes of lace, well, even if it's not the greatest beer in the world, it was almost worth the price (not much) for looks alone.

Smell is very candy-like vibe, big gooey caramel meets cherry taffy. Seriously, if you twisted caramel- and cherry-flavored taffies together, this is what you'd get.

Rich flavor, still candy-like, with hops being rather straightforward even amidst the malt-based, those hops taking on a mild citrus character. The balance of sweet and bitter is quite good. Only caveat is this has tell-tale signs of malt having been burnt in the boil. It's a tricky flavor to grapple with, the tongue having to decide with the brain whether this is char (nah...), toasted grains (too polite) or, yes, okay, something burnt. But then, it could just be my imagination and maybe they're using some severely roasted grain to begin with. The fiery color makes me wonder even more. I like the mystery going on here, and I like the taste.

Smooth carbonation, soft bubbles, the feel is a compromise between bubble attack and a nice velvety caress.

If you can accept the burnt flavor as a "unique personality trait" and not a "character flaw" then you'll like this beer. I'm okay with it. Maybe I'm feeling benevolent tonight, but this is actually a good, unique, quaffable brew with its own personality.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2011 23:33:45 | More by Metalmonk

MayLattimore

North Carolina

2.68/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Okay, I got this bottle with the White Ale that was sent to me from a friend. I was very hesitant to drink it after my experience with the White Ale from the same brewery. So here goes... The pour is a reddish color, very pretty and clear. The head isn't much with not much lacing. Aroma is caramelly and maybe a little spice. Taste is that great. Kinda sour. This beer looked and smelled the part but ultimately it didn't taste great.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 22:50:04 | More by MayLattimore

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a moderate amber color with a two-finger off white head. Decent recent but fails to create any lacing. The nose is fairly one dimensional, mostly consisting of some mildly-toasted bread. There are some faint, earthy hops in there as well. The taste adds in a bit of a caramel touch along with fresh dough and toast. Slight bitterness and moderately dry. Medium body and a bit chewy with somewhat high carbonation levels. Drinks fairly well. Not their best, but solid nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2010 10:52:25 | More by Thorpe429

Seanibus

California

3.33/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a deep reddish brown with a mediocre head. The aroma is malty and firm, with a little cinnamon behind it. The flavor is malty and mildly spicy, with some cinnamon and nutmeg, and a little broad, woody bitterness on the finish. Not a terribly complex beer, but not terrible either.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2010 20:31:20 | More by Seanibus

afordney

Tennessee

2.58/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

The pour was a deep amber reddish color, very pretty and clear. The head was about a thumb thick and left pretty tight lacing on the edges of my glass.

aromas of hop spice, nothing overwhelming and very smooth.

taste is sharply bitter and a little sour, the bitterness drowns out anything else that might be going on.

very light and very bitter

This beer looked and smelled better than it tasted. I don't think I'd go for another.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 22:27:02 | More by afordney

Pinto21

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brown amber with nice tan/white head that fades to nice lacing fairly quick. Bit darker than expected/wanted for an amber.
Smell is toasted malts with a hint of hop to the finish, but it is mostly toasted malt.
Taste follows the nose. Almost entirely toasted biscuit malt with some sweetness to it as well with a touch of hops to the finish. Hops are a bit fruity and floral.
Mouth and drink are both nice. As it should be with a bit oily mouth in the finish but still pretty dry.

Bottle might not be the freshest, as I would expect more hop notes to it, but still a solid beer. A bit more ESB like than Amber IMO, but either way well crafted sessionable beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2010 22:21:04 | More by Pinto21

FenwaySquid

Virginia

3.65/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12 oz. brown bottle, no dating that I could find, poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a deep dark reddish brown color, there might be bubbles rising but I couldn't see inside, The head formed small, 1 finger at most, and faded quickly into some lacing. Nice color but I'd like a bigger head.

Aroma: Sweet caramel and a slight hoppiness.

Taste: Sweet caramel again, some piney hops come through in the middle and dominate the finish.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied, crisp. The carbonation balanced well.

Overall: A decent red ale. Great session beer if nothing else. And for those of us from SE Virginia, it's local.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2010 01:45:00 | More by FenwaySquid

breweryaprntc13

Virginia

3.13/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On Tap poured into a pint glass.

Look: Dark Amber with a dirty white head, two fingers thick but quickly settles. Medium to thick lacing.

Aroma: Caramel comes on strong, hint of a hop smell, with some earthy notes and a slight chocolate finish.

Taste: Smooth caramel with surprisingly bitter hops finish. Dark roasted malts are subtle underneath the caramel giving it hints of possibly coffee flavor.

Mouthfeel: Light body with low to medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Not the best beer I've had from AleWerks but it makes for a great session beer. None of the flavors come on too strong and overall it is great to share a pitcher with friends.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2010 17:17:32 | More by breweryaprntc13