American Red Ale - Rock Art Brewery

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.55/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy dark copper color with a smallish off white head that doesn't stick around very long. The aroma is quite malty with lots of caramel and toffee with hints of chocolate and a faint earthy hop deep underneath. The flavor follows the aroma quite well with toffee and caramel in the foreground and hints of chocolate and earthy hop bringing up the rear. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet light syrupy mouthfeel. Decent beer, feels like a brown ale at times, but it's a nice gateway style beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 01:46:37 | More by johnnnniee

jjamadorphd

Florida

3.58/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I was surprised to find this at the local big-box restaurant so I had to try (anything would be better than a Bud, right?)

Appearance was nice - slightly red hue on dark beer with a beautifu cream-colored head. The head was thick, had some staying power and with decent lacing. Smell was mostly hoppy but good. Mouthfeel was above normal for me, the carbonation was about right but it felt a tiny bit watery - no big deal though. The taste was good (a nice selection on a two-for-one night). There was some fruit in there I couldn't pick out and the barley mixed well with the hops. Overall, it wasn't spectacular but it was definitely better than the other selections they had on tap. On its own, it is a pretty good beer. I'll be sure to look for it in the beer aisle next time.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 14:32:06 | More by jjamadorphd

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.84/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle into a pint glass .

A-Pours a clean and bubbly red color, a touch amber and a touch of brown. A 1-plus finger head that tapers to a lasting film leaves some spotty lacing.

S- Toasted bready malts, spicy hops.

T- Big bready malt and grain backbone. A hint of chocolate and caramel.

M- Malts and oats give this brew body. It's crisp and carbonated. None of its flavors show any sweetness, it finishes dry and mild.

O-This beer looks big and flavorful and it just about measures up. It could use a flavor kick but does not suffer from the 'sticky-sweet' Red Ale stigma , a big plus. Smooth and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 18:49:30 | More by NiceTaps

FickleBeast

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

Pours a clear reddish amber color with a half finger of foam that dissipates quickly without lacing. Aroma is somewhat malty, stale bread, plum, and a kiss of earthy hops.

First sip is pretty straightforward - a hint of malty sweetness, a touch dry, and finishing with a bit of metallic twang. Overall, pretty straightforward - not a ton of flavor or anything that really excites the palate. Hop flavor is muted, and there is a slight bitterness in the finish.

Well, this beer has some potential, but unfortunately it really falls short of being great. It just doesn't have a ton of flavor. No real off flavors but that's not a glowing endorsement.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 01:48:55 | More by FickleBeast

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass.

Pours deep maroon roasty red. Some white foam atop but very thin. Deep malty smell, some caramel. Sweet toasty caramel. Good flavor that fades out without any real bite. Pick up some hop in the aftertaste. Lighter mouthfeel.

Good, but not remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 12:46:34 | More by KTCamm

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear, dark amber color. No lace left by a wispy collar of retention. Patriotic bottle.

Aroma is floral hops, caramel malts and toast. Taste is toast and sweet caramel up front with more bread crust and a mild hop bitter in back.

Standard fair for the style but not flawed in any aspect either. I like the addition of the bread crust malts to play with the sweet and bitter balance. Good body for 4.8%. A bit tinny in back.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 11:24:19 | More by donkeyrunner

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle from Rock Art mixed 12

A- reddish-gold amber. Very slight reddish-brown off white head. A little bit above average carbonation.

S- smells kind of like a pale ale with light smell of oats, barley, and caramel.

T- light spice hops, oats, barley, light caramel sweet finish.

M- medium bodied, easy to drink, average carbonation.

O- This beer was kind of similar to their barley wine only a little bit lighter with a little bit of light spiced hops. Could use some more pronounced flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 02:12:06 | More by jaasen64

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

In my quest to sample 400 beers this year, I tried this one.
Pours a reddish copper color with a a hazy body, mild carbonation and, even with a viqorous pour, very little head.
Aroma is malt forward, being an amber/red ale. Hops are minimal at best. Taste is malty with some sutle spiciness. Think corrinder here. There is also some nuttiness and husks too, and no hops. Drinks pretty smooth and of medium weight. Probably better at the brewer when fresh.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 14:01:21 | More by micromaniac129

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Slightly tawny robust copper with a bit of haze & a fair number of big bubbles rising to the medium size light khaki head that quickly falls to a skim, but keeps a ring and leaves a few pretty good splotches of lace.

S: Smell far less robust than it looks. Light nutty malts, faint toasty grain, & a hint of caramel sweetness. Rather light and clean – even as it warms.

T: A Decent robustness to flavor. Plentiful nutty malts are pretty dry and steely. Only super faint hints of sweetness and caramel. Just slightly stronger is a vaguely chocolate roast note that grows as it warms. Hops provide medium bitterness. Mostly herbal with a soft bit of citrus & spice up front and through the middle it fades to tobacco and then some slightly soapy resin in the finish.

M: Just the slightest bit over medium body and average carbonation with a soft feel. Fair bit of texture and chew, but minimal sweetness. Attenuated quite enough for hops to take it a tad drying.

D: Balanced, a bit nuanced, & reasonably robust. Doesn’t depend on loads of hops or load you down with lots of thick sugary, caramelly malts. Quite a well rounded, tasty, and drinkable brew. Solid, but not special.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 19:49:15 | More by SickGnar

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A dark reddish-gold colored beer. Very clear. A big off white, soapy head that falls fairly quickly to about a quarter of the size. Tiny bubbles rush to the top. Looks well carbonated. Not much lace; what's there slips down the sides of the glass. Still, an attractive beer due to its color and clarity.

Aroma is moderately full but simple in character - just some toasty malt with the faintest hint of the hops underneath. Taste is also dominated by full-bodied, toasty malt with light sweetness and undercurrent of flowery hops. There's a subtle but distinct floral note here that reminds of me of this brewery's IPA; it may not be the same varietal but it at least feels like there's a definite Rock Art hop profile favored by the brewers.

Overall the taste of this beer is a bit more interesting than the nose lets on but it's certainly not super complex. Medium bodied and carbonated with a clean, short finish. Tasty and drinkable. The mouthfeel is fairly lively, with just a little bit of creaminess that pairs well with the carbonation.

Not bad, not great. Would love a bit more balance in favor of the hops.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 15:54:43 | More by tobelerone

Doshkin

Maine

3.1/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

a - nice read/orange tinted amber color. little head that reduced quickly, but left a visually appealing film of bubbles for the duration of the consumption. best part of the beer is its looks

s - slightest bit of caramel sweet malts. mostly bready with a touch of floral hops. decent smell, but weak overall

t - taste wasn't very strong either. kind of watery, in fact. matches smell overall, with more emphasis on the bitterness of the hops. the majority of the hops must have been added at the beginning of the boil for this brew because it is quite bitter, with less hopiness in the taste, and even less in the smell.

m - definitely the second best part of the beer. good carbonation, easy to drink, pretty smooth.

o - Rock Art Brewery, i have not been impressed with the only two beers i've ever had from you. i might try one more, but if that one doesn't redeem these first two below average beers, i will be giving up on you.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 20:47:19 | More by Doshkin

tkepx182

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Amber in color, clear showing carbonation, head dissipated rapidly

S: has a mild hoppy smell with a little flower smell to it

M: It has a smooth feel over the tongue

T: The main taste of the beer is hops. It is not as strong as an IPA, but good none the less

O: It is a good beer that was better then expected. The hopiness was a surprise but not a bad one. Definitely a drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 23:49:57 | More by tkepx182

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

orange tinted amber color being presented before me. Little in the way of head, maybe an inch at the top at first, but settling down quickly thereafter. No noticeable side glass presentation, and only marginal carbonation visible.

The aroma was rather weak to be honest, no where near the robust smell I was looking for. Light malt notes, somewhat bready with a healthy dose of grain thrown in. The flavor was more of the same, just too light to really make an impression on me either way. Some light off fruit notes were notices, but again unremarkable. Decent carbonation kept it feeling lively, but to be honest it was just too thin to really pull it all together for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 20:23:22 | More by mikesgroove

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.85/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap 6/17/2011 at Yard House in Dedham, MA, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep coppery brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is faint but contains caramelized malts, a good amount of hops some fruit.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel and fruit. Then a decent hops presence comes in. The malt character is heart but not too heavy and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, this is a decent beer to drink for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2011 16:39:41 | More by TheManiacalOne

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Dark red body with a tiny white ring atop the beer. Not much in the way of head or retention really, just a frothy cloud in the middle of the beer. Small ring leaves some spotty lace.

S- Caramel and slightly roasty and nutty malt along with a some citrus and floral hop notes.

T- Roasty malt comes through more here along with a nutty and caramel feel. Hops are certainly present lending earthy, floral and citrus hints.

MF- Highly carbonated light body, somewhat watery overall. Fairly bitter finish.

Malt profile is kind of like a Brown ale, quite a bit roasty and nutty. Hop profile is like a New England IPA, but in this case it makes sense, enough to balance the flavor and make this a pleasant beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2011 03:02:59 | More by cbutova

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.6/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle with a Bottled On Date notched at Mar. Pours a dirty copper color with very minimal head. Aroma is of toasted malts, earth, and cereal. Taste is like sweet cereal and earthiness. Malt flavor all over this one. Some brown sugar and cinnamon notes. Very drinkable. Pretty decent beer to find in a mix 12 pack. I probably wouldn't buy a six pack of it but I would have it again on tap. Overall, its a decent Amber and I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 20:02:52 | More by PicoPapa

surprenant1138

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a deep copper red with very little head and faint lacing. Aroma is of malt, burnt pecans, chocolate, ash, and a hint of cinnamon. Mouthfeel is of a medium body with a fair amount of carbonation. Taste surprised me, being pretty much like th aroma with earthy hints and a grassiness...some smokiness too. I like this quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 02:50:09 | More by surprenant1138

thain709

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - The body was a clear, copper color with a small, thin, white head...there was some decent retention...almost a solid cap...nice lacing

S - Caramel and toffee aromas are jumping out with hints of roasted malt...there are some dark fruits lingering in the background

T - The malts are sweet in flavor with caramel and toffee flavors leading the way...the malt switches to a roasted, chocolate flavor towards the middle of the beer...there is an earthy hop finish that brings in a bit of bitterness

M - Medium bodied...the finish is earthy and bitter but it doesn't pair well with the other flavors in the beer...a bit thin at sometimes

O - Things really started out good for this beer...great look, decent smell, and flavors that worked together...but as soon as you swallowed that flavors that were left and came back just didn't work for me...it was just okay for me

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 22:40:28 | More by thain709

gfreed

Massachusetts

2.33/5  rDev -32.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Another blah beer from Rock Art and, I'm afraid, another black eye for the VT beer club. Although this one has little aroma beyond soap, it manages to burp up a little caramel flavor after stagnating in a glass for about 20 minutes. Still, it's not worth the wait. If you must drink a Vermont amber, drink the one from Otter Creek.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2011 00:26:32 | More by gfreed

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.78/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an imperial pint glass. Color was a reddish brown color with a very thin off white head. Head did't last long and only clung to the sides a bit. Aroma was very stout like. Malty, with a touch of chocolate. Taste was malty, a bit on the roasted side. Flavor was a tad earthy, with a touch of better, but was well balanced. Felt watery in the mouth. Carbonation was good, and it wasn't overly thin, but yet still felt watery. Nicely easy to drink, enough flavor to keep it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 00:00:41 | More by mountdew1

BeerNinja007

New Hampshire

2.85/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Got a 12oz single today at Dan & Whit's in Norwich VT, I think it was $1.89 +tax/deposit. Bottled on date has two notches, one for Jan and one for May, and no year, so not too useful. Served cold in a chilled pint glass.

This dark sepia brew gives a decent 1/2" of tan head that settles to a thin frothy and stable layer with some larger bubbles and a good meniscus around the glass. Nose is pretty faint, just a bit of warm toasty malt. The taste has a great bit of mixed inky hop with a moderate body of toasty malt. Feel is mostly dry and the finish is very dry, astringent. Drinkability is lessened by the harsh dry finish, makes my teeth feel gritty.

I like a lot of Rock Art's beer, but this one falls short.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2010 23:22:06 | More by BeerNinja007

bundy462

Texas

3.68/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Amber with a nice frothy cream colored head.

S: Nice roasted malts. Hints of nuts, hop, toffee, caramel.

T: More hops that I had expected. The roasted malt flavor was still there but more muted than the nose. The hops were more dominating. Somewhat of a brown ale character.

M: Somewhat prickly yet smooth. Slightly creamy.

O: Good beer, I'll have another.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 01:10:33 | More by bundy462

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at tavelino in westborough, MA.

A: Fluffy 1/2 finger head fades at a medium pace with semi hazy dark molasses brown color.

N: Nice malts, toasty, a little roast, touch of caramel too. Some might earthy bitter hops as well. Also a slight creamy aroma. Nice toast and malt, but lackin more hops and too creamy, but some hints of smoked malt add to it.

T: Starts with more malts, some toasty malts, creamy with more roast, smoked malts, little chocolate too. Slight buttery with more light earthy bitter hops. A little fruit with touch of tangy that probably shouldn't be there.

M: Mouth is semi creamy medium body with decent carbonation.

F: Finishes with some grassy and earthy mild bitterness. Some lingering smoke and toasty malts, as well as some of the slightly tangy fruit. A little sticky sweetness and medium dry.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2010 22:26:52 | More by jlindros

Duhast500

Massachusetts

2.9/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from the tap into a pint glass.

The color is dark red, almost maroon with a finger or two of foamy white head that last for a short while. Not much in the way of lacing on the glass.

The smell is caramel with a slight toffee flavor and reminded me of a sundae without the ice cream.

The taste is has a nice malty flavor that is sweet with more caramel and toffee flavors. A creamy somewhat chocolate flavor is just on the edges and is only there ever so slightly.

The feel of this beer is medium and goes down well. Not a bad red ale, it pretty drinkable but is a little too creamy at times but overall not a bad beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2010 14:21:31 | More by Duhast500

ToasterChef

Maine

3.73/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from my notes. Poured from a chilled bottle into a pint glass. It is a clear yet dark red liquid. A small tan foam head sits on top. I can see a few carbonation bubbles rising. I can smell toffee malts and a few earthy hops. It beer is pretty cold, so I think the aromas may be stronger and more nuanced at cellar temperature. The flavor has toffee and caramel sweet malts. It reminds of the filling of a quality chocolate--but without all of that sweetness. Some tangy bittering hops appear as I swallow, but I can still taste the malts as well. Both flavors linger but don't overstay their welcome. It is a nice flavor. It isn't very sticky or leave behind much of a coat. It has a medium body and low carbonation. It is a quality mouthfeel, but not outstanding. Overall the beer is very drinkable. I have had a number of these in a sitting and will again. It's another fine red ale that I am glad is now available in my area.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2010 14:41:39 | More by ToasterChef