HotRod Red - Aviator Brewing Company

bearfootdaddy

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +37%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

on tap in glass at tap house, great in a growler too. I would like to get a keg soon.

nice head,

clean taste.

mild hops, just right for a amber ale.

stayed crisp till the last sip,

thick amber color,

great local beer,

I think I will go drink one now.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2010 16:52:09 | More by bearfootdaddy

atsprings

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On cask at The Wooden Nickel served in a slim pint glass a crisp dark amber with a thin diminishing head. Aroma is crisp citrus hops in front of burn caramel malts. The taste is a nice balance of burnt caramel malts and citrus hops. The beer is light, crisp and quite smooth. This is a great cask beer!

Serving type: cask

10-02-2010 22:51:20 | More by atsprings

mechamifune

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Have had this beer many times and have experienced a lot of variation with it. This review reflects the most common experience I have had with it.

Pours a nice red/amber with a heavy creamy head.
Hops are evident in the smell, more so than most "irish reds" (though i think that categorization is often misused). Smeetness is also evident, but not heavy.

Taste is pleasant, a slight but far from overwhelming hoppiness with a obvious malt backbobe. More hoppy than most in this style, and for me thats a welcome change.

Mouthfeel is a little thicker and heavier than I would like, but again I think it is probably about right for the style.

As a result the drinkability is good but not great. A decent enough session-style beer and a good take on one of my less than favorite styles.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2010 18:19:08 | More by mechamifune

beer2day

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bright red pour with 1-finger of light tan head. Very little retention. Laces very nicely.

Faint, sweet malt nose. Not much to go on.

Sweet hit on the tongue. Turns very sweet in the aftertaste, like big red licorice. Surprisingly dry and hoppy in the finish.

Decent malt body.

Easy drinker and hides it's slightly higher than average abv well.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2010 16:05:36 | More by beer2day

bosox941827

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at Tyler's TapRoom in Apex into 16oz logo pint glass that I wanted to take with me (but didn't!). First try of an Aviator beer, which is my bad as they're just down the road...
A - Nice, welcoming reddish-amber color
S - Mostly caramel malts but a bit of hops as well
T - Gotta say up front, I'm not a fan of "red" beers, as they've always had somewhat of an "off" flavor to me that I can't place, however wanted to try an Aviator, so gave it a whirl....and actually, as red ales go, this has got to be one of the better ones I've tried. Has MUCH more of a hop presence than am used to from this style, which is fine with me. Kind of has an English Pale Ale type hop flavor for me. Can still sense that "off" flavor which I mention above, but it's hidden by the hops and bit of alcohol. That being said, sweet malts predominate here, with the hops finishing things off.
M - Properly carbonated with a nice smooth mouthfeel.
D - Could session this, especially with the hops balancing things out.

Overall probably the best red ale I've had, which, granted, doesn't say too much. But I liked this beer, would order it again, and it gets me excited to try more from Aviator. So, mission accomplished!

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2010 00:26:45 | More by bosox941827

SIRIUS2

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at the Aviator Tap House in Fuquay Varina, NC.

Brought to me in a standard pint glass. Deep orange to red in color, very light head that quickly reduced to a thin layer of bubbles and a heavy ring around the glass. Very light lacing.

Aromas are relatively light. There is some moderate to light malts that mix with herbal grassy hops. Nothing here is overpowering or strong, but rather well matched and balanced.

Flavors of modest malts and light earthy hops are quite well balanced. Slightly heavier mouthfeel than I would have expected and somewhat muted grassy hop notes make this a most enjoyable brew. Finish is more dry than not, and is relatively clean. Linger is short and slightly hoppy.

Nice flavors for an Irish Red, with hints of "English" hops and malts. This really strikes me as something that might be had at an English inn rather than an Irish pub. Just the same it's solid and clean. Nice brew!

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2009 01:31:18 | More by SIRIUS2

GJ40

North Carolina

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

Sampled on tap at Peak City Grill in Apex.

I'd been meaning to try more Aviator beers and with them onsite at Peak City Grill for a promotion, the timing was right. I'm more into hops than malts but this beer had some great flavors coming from the malts. It was fruity, bready and biscuity with a touch or caramel and nuts. And it had a nice rich mouthfeel.

Hot Rod Red is a flavorful and enjoyable beer. It's a nice addition to the local beer scene and I look forward to seeing it come out in bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2009 11:20:52 | More by GJ40