Atwater Rost - Atwater Block Brewery

almychristopher

New York

3.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pours a slightly hazy amber with a tall rocky head that fades to lacing. the aroma is little to nonexistant... maybe some light hops or dried fruit like raisins or something. the taste is quite malty with a bitter finish and surprisingly little body for the malty taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2008 01:24:25 | More by almychristopher

imperialking

Illinois

3/5  rDev +4.5%

01-08-2012 22:36:31 | More by imperialking

WakeandBake

Michigan

2.95/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Hazy copper/amber color, tuns,and tuns of fluffy white head,too much. Aroma of faint hops and sour fruit.Flavor is slightly grassy with some fruit,maybe apple or tart cherries, a touch of sweeter malt in the mix. Crisp finish thin body,acceptable mouthfeel. Drinkable,but slightly over carbonated,meh

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2008 21:51:51 | More by WakeandBake

enfield249

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Tan leather toned, partly cloudy, slender ring of foam around the top, but no head otherwise.

S - Vinous smelling, some cider and light fruits.

T - Wow. So much like a Belgian. Sour, tart, a little funky. Light fruits and some cider character.

M - Sharp from the carbonation. Astringent.

D - Such a surprising beer. I'm shocked that this hasn't rated better. I could drink this weekly.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2008 23:02:22 | More by enfield249

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

1.98/5  rDev -31%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Lightly speckled tangerine with a beige cap that might pick up a hint of orange from the beer beneath. The brewery led me to believe that Rost (pronounced Roast, the German word for amber) would be coppery in color. Before very long, the heads drops to a thick disk, leaving very little of itself on the glass.

The nose isn't too bad. There's almost no hoppiness exiting the glass, but the earthy maltiness holds up its end well enough. The pilsner malt, the Munich malt and the caramel malt contribute roughly equally. If the flavor profile follows suit, I might have run across an Atwater Block beer that's drinkable.

Not so fast. I can't say that I'm disappointed since I've now had five brews from these guys and haven't come close to being impressed yet. For starters, the beer is way too thin and is more sour fruity than an amber ale should be on its worst day. Where the hell is the malt?

Rost is reminiscent of lightly carbonated, watered down fruit juice aged in a rain gutter. I'm thinking apricot and orange, but that doesn't quite capture it. There's no hop flavor and very little hop bitterness. No worries, though. With almost no malt to worry about, the hops probably wouldn't have contributed in any meaningful way. This is lousy beer.

The mouthfeel is all kinds of thin and watery. I've decided not to give it a 1.0 because... uh... because the beer isn't slimy and because it isn't filled with proteinaceous crap. Gotta save the worst scores for the worse mouthfeels, I guess.

This may be the last Atwater Block beer that I picked up on my swing into southern Michigan this past summer. At least I hope so. Maybe these guys can produce drinkable beer from the tap, but something is seriously wrong with their bottling operation. Avoid.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2007 14:07:10 | More by BuckeyeNation

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

1.75/5  rDev -39%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Appearance: Pours a clear, orangey-copper body with a thin, thin ring of bubbles.

Smell: Aroma of a drizzle of caramel over a basket full of spoiled, sun-baked fruits.

Taste: Suspiciously sour fruit flavors with only a meager amount of caramel within. Finishes tart, watery, and a bit acetic. Unless they were aiming for a bargain basement Flanders Red, then this beer is miles off course.

Mouthfeel: Thin-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Dear me. It seems that, more often than not, these Atwater beers just don't survive their trip into the bottles.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2007 16:05:20 | More by ChainGangGuy

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

1.83/5  rDev -36.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1

Appearance - a light orange/bronze color. Attempted to create some cappage but could not. A brief layer of soda-like bubbles that quickly disperse. Not even a full collar.

Aroma - some sweet, roasty breadiness do good to boost this beer's appeal after a slow start. Not very intense or complex, but better.

Taste - a slightly sweet, metallic start is quickly met by sourish brown sugar flavor. Almost suggestive of some mild Belgian funk/sourness, I'm not much into it. Finishes with a moderate sour/lemony aftertaste. Not for me...

Mouthfeel - some elevated carbonation, moderate weight. The best part of the experience for me.

Drinkability - I'll try some other Atwaters, but no more of this one. Finishing the sixer was truly a chore.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2007 17:45:44 | More by brewdlyhooked13

Dogbrick

Ohio

2.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear and dark copper color with a medium thin light tan head. Thin, spotty lacing. Aroma of sweet malt and sour fruit. Medium-bodied and much more tart than most Viennas. Tart/sour fruit overpowers the toasted malt and caramel flavors. Still, I was able to drink it. The beer either does not translate well, or is actually trying to be more like a Flemish Sour. The finish is fruity and tart, with a hint of vinegar. Below average, no matter what the reason it tastes like it does.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2007 16:39:10 | More by Dogbrick

MAB

Alberta (Canada)

2.35/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured my beer into a glass and got a great deal of head. It subsided in a reasonable amount of time but for the rest of the drinking session, there was no head. Odd, I thought.
There was plenty of carbonation, though; perhaps a bit too much...
The smell was interesting. Malty notes, no hop aroma that I could detect.
The taste threw me off, though. Strong buttery flavor, and then sweetness- almost like a butterscotch candy. Too bad I don't like butterscotch candies.
This was a beer that took a while to get used to, and then it was OK. Never outstanding, or even really good- just OK. And, again, it took a while to get used to the flavor. Not the best testimonial for a beer.

A MUCH better amber ale is Yukon Brewing "Arctic Red" but it is in limited area distribution (perhaps impossible to locate in the USA- pity!)

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2007 15:13:21 | More by MAB

jcdiflorio

West Virginia

3.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

poured into a nonic glass from a 12oz brown long neck bottle with a crimped on cap.

Clear medium amber color with a tall thick pillowy head,decent retention some spotty lacing. A bit flat looking with just a few bubbles rising

A good clean, inviting, fruitty aroma,nutty, also bisquitty/toasty with some doughy aromas.

Fruity with some tangy tartness,bisquitty with a good balance.Finishes crisp and clean with some light bitterness.

Light mouthfeel,on the watery side with some graininess. Goes down easy lacking a bit on taste,it tastes ok just not enough of it.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2007 04:31:27 | More by jcdiflorio

BEERchitect

Kentucky

2.13/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

It does not seem that this beer fared well during it's trip to Central Kentucky. An obvious contamination occured while on route. However it seems that about half of the reveiws realized the same fate as this one I write. The beer shows noticable aggrevation with a highly carbonated pour and lacking head retention for the Amber. Very faint amber color, nearly golden hue. The aromas are of sour apples, a touch of vinegar, and quite vineous. The tastes confirm the aromas, while offering little sweetness to balance out the over-attenuated grainy malts. The feel was a thin, watery, astringent (acetaldahyde) tartness. Aftertastes remind me of a watered down cola and a weak Belgian Artisan brew. Obviously not the intent for an Amber Ale. I look forward to trying another of these, then updating this review.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2007 01:33:09 | More by BEERchitect

jhammerly

Nebraska

3.03/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Loki for sending this one.

A crisp tasting beer with plenty of carbonation makes this brew very drinkable, despite it's unusual flavor. A tart beer with a golden body and hints of amber underneath a white, fluffy head. Green apples come to mind after smelling and tasting this. Is this how it is supposed to taste? I have had other ambers with a similar taste. I did not like those, but this one seemed to be all right. Maybe it's an acquired taste or maybe it's put together well. Though I probably couldn't drink many of these in a sitting, this one went down nicely.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2007 06:48:37 | More by jhammerly

WesWes

New York

3.23/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours an amber color with a thick frothy white head that quickly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a dry, yet malty scent that boasts of pale and caramel malts. The taste is average. It has a grainy pale and crystal malt flavor. It's weak and watery with a stale malt finish. The mouthfeel is average as well. It's a low bodied beer with a little too much carbonation. This brew could use a bit more body and caramel malt as well as less CO2. It goes down easy, but that doesn't make it good.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2007 22:43:35 | More by WesWes

Westsidethreat

California

2.7/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours a slightly hazed, copper colored body with a greyish white tinted head. The bubbles form a fine yet wispy layer across the top of the beer.

S: Smells like carrot juice, grass clippings and bell papers.

T: Oddly sweet immediately on the tip of the tongue like green apples. Not a lot of maltiness, more subtle sweetness with notes of honey and star fruit. Finishes extremely grainy. Not a fan.

M: Thin body with a decent carbonation.

D: Begins interesting but I hate that grainy aftertaste. Pass.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2006 04:55:58 | More by Westsidethreat

SupaCelt

Michigan

3/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This thing pours an orange colour. It has minimal head. The thing smells like green apple pie or is that an Easter Egg colouring kit? Yeah this thing is like vinegar for real. Tart and sharp as hell. This one is not right. The mouthfeel is like that of wine which is how I am treating this one at the moment. I am not sure what is going on with this beer. I am not sure if this is supposed to taste this way. I am generally not a fan of amber beers, and this is an exceptionally good reason why. This case is still under review.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2006 03:06:23 | More by SupaCelt

arizcards

Arizona

3.58/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Received in my May MicroBeerClub shipment.

Beer poured red with a nice head that is maintaining quite well. Nose is heavy of sweet caramel malts. Taste is of crisp clean sweet malts with a slight hop finish. Mouthfeel is nice and smooth, and is medium bodied. Drinkability is good. This is a nice refreshing smooth beer that is definitely worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2006 23:48:14 | More by arizcards

nyjets1248

Michigan

2.75/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

When I poured this beer I had high hopes. It has a nice clear amber color with a hint of red. It produced a nice finger width cream colored head, and then disipates quickly. The aroma is malty with a kind of a flowery sweet tart thing going on. Not a huge fan of the taste - fruity yet sour and then a slight carmel aftertaste. The body is thin and leaves the mouth feeling somewhat confused. As for drinkability this is a very average beer. I picked up a six pack, it was worth a try (Once).

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2006 02:54:27 | More by nyjets1248

hanco005

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Part of my Beer of the Month offerings, 12 oz bottle with no freshness date, poured into a pint glass

A—pours light amber, clear with a very fizzy 2 inch tan head, fizzes away in a matter of minutes, no lacing is produced

S—sweet and sour, faint caramel, some overall grainy notes as well

T—not bad, faint caramel and faint floral flavors blend together, leaves a bit of an alkaline taste in the finish

M—feels thin and the highly carbonation makes this one fell a bit odd in the mouth

D—not bad, but nothing memorable either. I think I would pass on this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2006 18:41:18 | More by hanco005

CRJMellor

Arkansas

2.75/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours very foamy and with an amber color and tan head.
Aroma has a hint of caramel and some dull grains.
Flavors of some lighter malt and a semi-tart citrus dominate. Not much in the way of progression or symmetry.
Mouthfell was dominated by the tartness and left a not too pleasant aftertaste.
Drinkability was avergage. Only redeeming quality is that is was not too offensive. Nothing worth seeking out here.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2006 16:22:26 | More by CRJMellor

matracy68

North Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +63.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I got this with my Beer of the Month Club and really enjoyed it. It is a sweet tasting malty beer. The color is exceptional and is the smell. This is a very easy drinking beer. The worst thing about it would be that it might be a little too sweet so drinking a bunch of these things wont happen for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2006 15:29:47 | More by matracy68

oberon

North Carolina

3.01/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had this for a buck at the Brass cafe in MT. Pleasant,poured a dull light amber with a thinner white white head,aromas were very muted toasted grain and very light caramel.Dull unasuming flavors somewhat grainy and toasted but nothing to really make u want more.Went down easy but why would I want more?

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2006 21:54:24 | More by oberon

ppoitras

Massachusetts

2.65/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle obtained via trade with CRJMellor. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 3" beige head over the clear amber brew. Head fades v-e-r-y slowly, and leaves fleeting lace all over as it recedes. Aroma is very light, just a tinge of wet grain is all I get. Taste is slightly sour with a light maltiness, with the tartness present throughout. Mouthfeel and drinkability suffer for same. Maybe off, but even then seems as if the base product had not much to shout about.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2006 16:46:24 | More by ppoitras

AdvocateFan

Texas

2.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Ap: Medium amber, clear. Off white head, holds in perpetuity as a thin cover and fine collar.
Ar: Notably creamy (similar to their Dunkel) with floral notes and an herbal like tea note. Sweet, toffee malts and sadly, a sweat-sock scent… like when I take off my shoes… it’s not repellent, it’s just got a similar character… don't get the wrong idea, the smell of my own sweatty socks is not appetizing to me, nor anyone else I'm aware of, but I'll be damned if this doesn't have a similar quality... I'm going to regret writing this... I can just smell it...
T: Sweet start combines nearly cloying toffee notes, juiciness, and a firm grainy malt backbone, with some citrusy hop notes. Slightly grassy. There’s a bit of an acetic flavor, like over-use of corn sugar or something along those lines…
F: Bitterness is fairly late-breaking, and is perhaps the best part of this beer, other than the interestingly creamy aroma. It sneaks in and holds firmer than expected. Were it to hit a bit earlier, this might balance out a bit better. Citrusy tones in the back resurface as the hop bitterness fades.
Misc: Not a favorite. I’m sure I’d share this with others if I had brewed it myself, but I can’t say I’d reach for this with all the world has to offer in microbrews.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2006 05:47:50 | More by AdvocateFan

lackenhauser

Maryland

2.58/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pretty standard, amber color. Somewhat hazy orange. Ok level of carbonation. Aroma is soapy and perfume like. Malt upfront rapidly changes to an overwhelming "herbal" flavor. Some hop bitterness but the overwhelming health and beauty aids smell and flavor really dominates the whole thing. Ok mouthfeel. Not a pleasant beer overall. Theres something going on here and its not for me. Give it a wide berth.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2006 01:23:43 | More by lackenhauser