Tocobaga Red Ale - Cigar City Brewing

THANAT0PSIS

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: The first red ale that this reviewer is writing on pours a beautiful mahogany color that approached opaque in clarity; it is capped with a slightly rocky, cream-colored head that takes its sweet time dissipating down from an initial four fingers to a manageable one-and-a-half. The carbonation that is visible through the dense fog appears very active, but it is honestly difficult to tell with any certainty. There is some spotty lacing. The pour looked incredible, but once it is sitting in the glass the beer starts to take on the appearance of the end product of chewing tobacco. Still, the ruby red that occurs when light shines through is a pleasure yet to be held by this reviewer.

Aroma: There is a certain hoppiness that I was not expecting in this style after reading about it, but this is usurped almost immediately by a very “beery” smell that can only come from a strong malt character. This malt character also lends Tocobaga a pronounced and enticing sweetness. There is perhaps a bit of yeast that plays on the nostrils as well and mingles with the malty sweetness and gives it a mild spicy characteristic akin to cinnamon and cloves (or maybe allspice). It is quite complex (as many great beers are) and begs the holder to drink immediately.

Taste: The gauntlet has been thrown down for all future red ales that pass these taste buds. There is nothing to dislike in the taste of this beer, no faults to be found. It is initially bitter, but just for a second (following the nose step for step), and then the sweet malts step in, flooding the mouth with caramel notes, nutty notes, and even a hint of banana. Then the hops come back in and leave the tongue craving more and more of the delicious elixir, somewhat like Founders Double Trouble, though not nearly as bitter due to the difference in style. The aftertaste is a bit puckering and astringent, but not in a displeasing way. This beer is off the charts rich, somewhat like Apocalypse Cow. Just wow.

Mouthfeel: The beer swallows a little thick for my taste and leaves the lips sticky afterwards. As mentioned under “Taste”, Tocobaga has a puckering effect on the mouth, but this is very welcome. The carbonation is as active as seen earlier, but not as omnipresent as expected, which really is not an issue; the carbonation is perfect for the beer and gives it the refreshing quality that carbonation so often does. This beer is insanely drinkable, which, at 7.2% ABV could be a bit dangerous.

Overall: This is an excellent stepping-stone into the world of red ales. Before drinking this beer, I was not overly excited about venturing into red ales, but now I could not be more eager to have another. I am also disappointed that this was my only bottle. This is a beer I would love to have in my fridge at all times. It is just spectacular. 17.5/20

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 05:05:10 | More by THANAT0PSIS

Pelican5

California

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-16-2013 07:22:53 | More by Pelican5

browniewithnuts

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-16-2013 01:38:32 | More by browniewithnuts

aLenwell

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-14-2013 00:53:54 | More by aLenwell

Bromine

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-10-2013 16:54:49 | More by Bromine

KevinGordon

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-09-2013 16:57:59 | More by KevinGordon

Stugotzo

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-07-2013 21:57:14 | More by Stugotzo

MPSTARR

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-04-2013 22:32:04 | More by MPSTARR

Kelp

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-04-2013 20:35:59 | More by Kelp

oldp0rt

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-04-2013 16:28:40 | More by oldp0rt

ajtorres311

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-01-2013 15:07:38 | More by ajtorres311

RyanTheLion13

Iowa

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-01-2013 02:59:09 | More by RyanTheLion13

TKEbeerman

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

04-30-2013 01:47:30 | More by TKEbeerman

RaulMondesi

California

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Well hit Raul on the head with a shovel and call him stupid! Raul was never a fan of Red Ales - he may have despised them even. Well, he probably despised them because the only ones that he had were hoopties! But Tocobaga Red? More like Tocobaga yellow brick road paved with gold!

This lil sucker is just money. Straight money! There's not all kinds of depth and it isn't technically complicated like an ex; it's Just straight smooth, smooth, smooth.

Yep!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 05:48:15 | More by RaulMondesi

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.51/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: bottle, throw in on a trade from...er, I don't remember

A pretty typical red ale all over. Reddish amber pour, with a foamy cap of off-white bubbles. Malty aroma with some piney hops coming through. Taste of caramel malt and toffee, piney hops, citrus pith, somewhat metallic in the finish. Pretty average even for the style, but still a good brew. Probably overrated just because it's CC. Medium body, and decently drinkable, aside from that off-flavor, which could just be a freshness issue (didn't check for a bottle date).

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 20:18:22 | More by Rifugium

gymst20

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.5%

04-27-2013 22:06:39 | More by gymst20

st9647v3

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

04-27-2013 03:18:42 | More by st9647v3

Gobzilla

California

4/5  rDev -4.5%

04-25-2013 19:16:12 | More by Gobzilla

jmwildwest

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.5%

04-21-2013 22:12:47 | More by jmwildwest

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub. From notes.

A - Dark gold/copper sorta colour with a one finger beige head. Bright. Great long drapes of lace and a one finger retention.

S - Bready, lot's of citrus, juicy, nice.

T - Lot's of citrus, good malt backbone, juicy, pineapple.

M - Good carbonation, full body, nice bitterness.

O/D - A nice strong, hoppy red. Drinkable and flavourful. Enjoyed the amped up balance. Good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2013 11:23:01 | More by tbeckett

Bluecane

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -4.5%

04-21-2013 06:44:31 | More by Bluecane

Mersh

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +19.3%

04-17-2013 02:31:00 | More by Mersh

gjoker321

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -16.5%

04-16-2013 21:01:17 | More by gjoker321

ThreeFishes

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

04-16-2013 11:30:38 | More by ThreeFishes

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.34/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Had a pint on tap at the brewpub.

Pours a fiery orange shade with a patchy eggshell head. Big caramel malts and citrusy, white grapefruit hops make up the aroma. The taste is of huge piney, critrusy passionfruit hops mixing flawlessly with a toasty, toffee malt profile and some clean, bready cracker notes. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a fantastic, creamy carbonation level. A chewy maltiness quickly gives way to a strong, resiny bitterness in the finish. Bitterness lasts a long while. Alcohol is impeccably well hidden throughout.

This is a stellar Red Ale. It could easily be considered an American IPA. Very hop forward with excellent malt balance. If in Florida, seek this out.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 01:58:57 | More by CAMRAhardliner