Railway City Iron Spike - Blond Ale - Railway City Brewing Company

cratez

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Fresh from the brewery in St. Thomas. Golden in colour with a super thin white head. Decent lace. Smell is bright grassy hops and sweet malt. Very flowery and aromatic. Fairly strong yeast and alcohol aromas, despite the low ABV. Tastes of light bitter hops followed by sweet cereal grains and dry, wheaty malt. Traces of bubblegum and cookie dough in the parched aftertaste. Pretty sure this is how a blonde ale is supposed to taste - much like a lager, but better. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and well-carbonated. Has a bit of a bite to it, with a balanced, dry finish. I was pleasantly surprised by this solid offering from Railway City Brewing. Good drinkability and plenty of interesting flavours.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2009 17:28:59 | More by cratez

Ammon

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -5.1%

02-07-2013 03:11:22 | More by Ammon

cfalovo97

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -5.1%

11-06-2012 19:54:30 | More by cfalovo97

MaxwellSchaefer

3.13/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

5th Review on BA
473mL can to bolleke globlet

Purchased at a downtown Toronto LCBO for $2.40

App-A good and substantial head with a nice pale amber color settling underneath. The beer is crisp and clear and looks nice in a glass.

Smell- bright citrus notes hit you first and upon further examination subtle grain or malt characteristics break through. Hops are present but probably placed in early in the boiling process as they don't seem to shine so bright in the aroma. Also, there is something else I can't quite put my finger on but its appetizing even if I can't place it.

Taste-cereal grains with citrus notes (noteably lemons, especially in the aftertaste) and a floral after-taste. It's fairly simple drinking and the taste doesn't leave too much to ponder.

Mouth-There is a certain spicy characteristic that excites the palette but doesn't sing loudly on the taste buds. You would think it might be the carbonation but you know that can't be it (the beer doesn't appear super carbonated or bubbly). All in all it is rather quite light with little--yet present-- oily nature. The most intriguing thing about this beer overall would have to be that tasteless but spicey character on the palette.

Drink-I enjoyed this beer, and at $2.40 a can for a local-provincial beer I'm rather excited about it. I find that the greatest parts of this beer are better exemplified elsewhere in the local craft market but this one so far seems to be beating them on price and maybe even drinkability. It would probably impress at a beer pong tournament for the younger folk, your game partner would definitely be excited about it.

Serving type: 473mL can

Serving type: can

10-31-2012 00:00:59 | More by MaxwellSchaefer

bigox420

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev +10.8%

10-07-2012 01:51:03 | More by bigox420

RedAleMan

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev +10.8%

08-24-2012 23:29:02 | More by RedAleMan

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

2.98/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Can to pint glass.

A - Pale yellow with a lot of visible carbonation. Half a finger of white head formed with good retention

S - Very dull nose. Some bready malts with a touch of sweetness and a very light hop presence.

T - Sweet bready malts and light to moderate hopping for the style. Some floral notes present from the hops. The sweetness seems to grow with every sip. Not bad, but nothing that would make me come back.

M - Medium body. Somewhat creamy. Light carbonation.

Serving type: can

06-03-2012 22:20:45 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.65/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Can: Poured a bright golden color ale with a medium size white foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of unrefined cereal notes with lightly sweet notes. Taste is also a mix between some grainy cereal with light unrefined notes with a lightly sweet finish. Body is above average for style with good carbonation. Fairly middle of the road offering though the beer description is a bit over the top compared to the results.

Serving type: can

05-08-2012 20:15:04 | More by Phyl21ca

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: It has a nice clear golden/yellow color to it. It has a white head that dies down moderately and leaves some lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitly give out hints of corn and grains with citrusy and caramelly notes.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a grainy and bready taste with some citrusy and grassy hops. I don't know if it's just me but i'm getting this light eggnog like flavor too.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a somewhat light and watery overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with decent yet bland flavors and aromas.

Serving type: can

04-17-2012 19:35:12 | More by SebD

Seanont

Ontario (Canada)

2.53/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Had out of the tall boy can did not see a date stamp

Poured into a pint glass a very orange blond color.

Smell was very wheat and hops.

Flavor was mostly wheat and hops and malt with some honey.

Over all I did not really enjoy it much perhaps I had an old can but I'm not a huge blonde fan to begin with but I really enjoy ironspike copper so I though I would try.

Serving type: can

04-13-2012 17:35:47 | More by Seanont

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Can from the LCBO, no best by/canned on dating evident. 473ml into a stange.

Hazy golden orange with a foamy white head; light retention and some okay lacing. Nose is sweet, bready/biscuity, some faint hops. A bit sugary, some yeast character but something feels either off here or just plain old doesn't smell good. A bit stinky, for lack of a better term. Flavour has some pale malts, bread, grainy and some grassy hops. Again, a stinkiness or off-flavour that I can't pin down. Medium body, but has a peculiar thickness to it at points. Either this is an off can, or the brew just plain old blows. Drain pour.

Serving type: can

03-28-2012 00:47:18 | More by liamt07

kelvarnsen

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -5.1%

03-17-2012 04:23:41 | More by kelvarnsen

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

2.98/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

473ml Can - from the LCBO

Appearance – Clear yellow colour with a small size fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some fair lacing. The head lasted for 1 or 2 minutes.

Smell - Grains, bread, corn, grass

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an average amount of carbonation. I can taste malts mixed with grains, light hops, and an apple/corn syrup sweetness. It ends with a grainy and grassy aftertaste that is lightly bittersweet.

Overall – Nothing to write home about here. Just a notch above marco and the appearance of the beer left a lot to be desired. I wouldn't buy this beer again and I have yet to be impressed by anything from this brewer.

Serving type: can

03-14-2012 19:59:18 | More by spinrsx

bryehn

Ontario (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Re-branded can found at an Ottawa LCBO. No freshness dating of any kind.

Pours a nice, deep golden colour with a tinge of amber and a medium sized soapy white head that gets retained as a collar without leaving much lace behind.

Smells of grains, corn and a light pear or apple juice. Not much character here at all, but nothing too off-putting either.

More grains in the taste, this time toasted and accented by a light chocolate note and acidic, fruity tone. The finish is dry.

Rather thin-bodied with a medium carbonation level. Yeast and a biscuit-like sensation on the tongue. Hint of bitterness in the aftertaste and then a lingering sweetness.

Not bad given the ABV, could make a decent BBQ or session beer, but a bit too bland and macro-ish for me to consider buying regularly.

Serving type: can

03-02-2012 20:33:04 | More by bryehn

Molson2000

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +18.7%

01-28-2012 23:59:11 | More by Molson2000

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev +7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pale blond/orangey colour, one finger of head the settles quickly to a light white ring, no lace at all. Smell is malty and biscuity, light floral hop and lemon, mostly malt though with some graham cracker. Taste has more biscuity/crackery malt, moderate floral hop with some lemony citrus, mild bitterness throughout, some sips have a nice yeasty flavour, clean dry finish with a biscuity and lightly fruity aftertaste. Medium carbonation, lightly prickly and dry, medium body with a decent feel. Better than I remember but it still feels like it missing something, drinkability is ok and low ABV make this a good session beer but that being said I still dont think I will pick this up all that often.

Serving type: can

01-18-2012 18:27:12 | More by peensteen

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Last reviewed July 24th of last year; that was a bottle and this is a tallboy can from the same LCBO. No best before date, but the fact that I have only recently seen this in cans at the store indicates it's probably pretty fresh.

Pours a bright, translucent golden-amber colour. Very effervescent. A little more than a finger of creamy white head sits on top, taking its time to gradually dissipate, over five minutes in fact. Good retention, better than the bottle. Doughy, sweet aroma, mostly malty. A bit muted.

Same malt-forward taste. Sweet biscuits and bread, with a twinge of nutty character. Floral hops provide a bit of balancing bitterness. Medium-thin body, maybe a bit watery, with low carbonation and a very creamy mouthfeel.

Seemed better in the bottle, and I am not exactly biased against cans. Whether the difference is real or imagined, this is a solid blonde either way and I'm glad I got it again. Good easy drinker, not complex at all but a definite upgrade over most macro blondes.

Final Grade: 3.53, a low B, bordering on B-. A serviceable option for any blonde ale fan, but not something that is going to impress beer geeks.

Serving type: can

01-15-2012 08:05:04 | More by thehyperduck

TerryW

Ontario (Canada)

2.55/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Looks okay. Gold headed towards amber with a chunky white head that settles to a heavy film and surrenders some lace. But looking half decent is as good as it gets, I'm afraid.

Thin-bodied, slightly soapy mouthfeel. Mild malts, some sharp apple fruit. Slightly bitter, dry finish. Aroma is mild malts.

Unremarkable overall.

Serving type: can

01-09-2012 02:06:34 | More by TerryW

3.43/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pale golden with a small head that doesn't last for long.

Smell - Floral with honey, lemon and fruit. Bready malts beneath.

Taste - A bit of buttered bread, some fruit and citrus. Crisp carbonation makes it refreshing.

Not overly complex or bold, but nice and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 22:28:02 | More by

allergictomacros

Ontario (Canada)

3.13/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Clear gold/straw with a fairly decent head.

S - Nose is sweet. Big honey aroma - the most honey-smelling beer I've had so far. A little bit of underlying berries and fruit with some grass.

T - Light hops and a husky grain. Hint of caramel. Overall lightness pushes the mild bitterness to the forefront.

M - OK carbonation. Smooth enough.

D - Not terribly remarkable. OK drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2011 23:48:39 | More by allergictomacros

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle purchased at the LCBO with a best before Feb 14, 2011 date printed on the label. Pours a golden orange colour with tight white head. Nice head retention, some mild lacing on the glass. Smells of cereal grains with a hint of green apple. Flavour is quite mild, a second after a sip I don't really notice any aftertaste. Smooth carbonation level. Ok beer, but I don't plan on having again.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 22:40:40 | More by kwjd

pootz

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Growler:

Light clear gold with a rich white cap.

Aroma: mild and subtle, cereals, light grassiness hints of fruit.

Light on the palate, weak malts but the leafy hop resins come forward, fast slightly drying finish.

Not my type of drink, too undefined, but properly made and clean tasting.

Serving type: growler

05-28-2010 02:09:22 | More by pootz

ludachris

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, effervescent glowing golden hue with just over a finger of egg-white suddy head that reduces to a ring rather quickly but then stays in that state for quite awhile.

The nose is predominantly dry with notes of cracker, pepper, grains and some doughy malt but has a nice citrusy zest that backs it up with some faint tropical fruits that go with it, giving the beer a unique edge.

The taste is more faint than the nose would lead you to beleive. The dry crackery aspect is still there but comes at odds with a slightly watery mouthfeel. A subtle floral hop kick and citrus zest make their appearance more towards the back of the palate and those pleasant tropical fruit notes just graze the tongue before they are lost amidst the rest of the beer.

Mouthfeel is light bodied, smooth, and fluffy. A good weight for a low ABV. Nicely balanced, but a bit watery in the finish.

This beer has its time and its place and fits perfectly as s solid, decently flavourful summertime quaffer, but I'd take their IPA any day of the week. I'd say this is worth a shot, but I can think of a bunch of summertime quaffers off the top of my head that I'd prefer over this.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 21:21:11 | More by ludachris

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml bottle from the LCBO.

This beer pours a clear medium golden yellow colour, with two fingers of soapy, filmy white head, which leaves a sloped ring of lace around the glass. It smells of white cracker grain, and some mild general fruitiness. The taste is doughy, bready malt, with some floral essence, and a bit of acidic fruitiness - apple. The carbonation is moderate, the body nice and even and smooth, and it finishes off-dry, a small cloying sweetness seeping in.

Most blonde ales kind of (or really) underwhelm me. This is not one of them - a little one-sided, but a decently restrained dose of malt goodness.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 01:49:28 | More by biboergosum

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

2.93/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a straw blond with a creamy, but flash in the pan head that dissapears before mustering up much lace. The aroma is doughy and slightly floral. Some tart green apple is present in the background. The taste is malty and lightly fruity. Some anise and tea leaves, perhaps hop characters shining through, and a bit of wet paper show as the flavor develops. The finish is of cereal hunks and light sweetness. The body is fuller than I expected with moderate to light carbonation.

An adaquate, if underwhelming blond ale. the oxidation was a little offputting, but otherwise its drinkable enough.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 01:40:41 | More by CAMRAhardliner