HotRod Red - Aviator Brewing Company

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

JimKal

North Carolina

2.98/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a dark red brown with a tan two finger head. Leaves a lot of lacing as you drink it.

S: Malty aroma

T: This just didn't work for me. I do like this style but I think this one doesn't come close to the style. It does promise a hoppy taste and it delivers on that. But, it just didn't taste right to me. The hops and the malt just seemed to clash.

M: Decent medium to full mouthfeel.

O: I've had three of these on different days to see if my impression changed but this is one I won't be buying again. I had high hopes for it but it just doesn't work for me.

Serving type: can

04-28-2013 13:51:03 | More by JimKal

beerenjoyer1

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Peabody's Wine and Beer in Boone, NC provided me with this beer.

A - Poured clean with little foam but left a slight ring of foam around the glass.

S - Definite malts with alittle sweet smell.

T - Malts up front followed by hoppy dry finish which more noticable as the beer warms to room temp.

M - Nice full flavor with malts and hops. Not as full as I might expect but good.

O - I do like this beer and I think will you too. There might be better Irish Ales out there but I feel that one cannot go wrong with the Aviator Hod Rod Red. Enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 21:44:54 | More by beerenjoyer1

csparace

Illinois

4.21/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance (4.00) – From a 22oz to a Matilda (my favorite glass ever). Pours a slightly hazy red amber. Epic amounts of carbonation coming to the top. Generous 2 finger head that hugs the sides as it fades. Really thick lacing coats the sides, honestly detracting from the appearance.

Smell – (4.00) Orange, malt, and mild hops present. A yeasty overtone to the combination. Roasted character is defnitely present.

Taste – (4.25) Initial impression is that of a roasted barley. Something seems really familiar but its hard to put a finger on it. There is a slight chocolate impression that comes later. A harsh caramel – that's it. The finish is surprisingly hoppy and you get a late crunch. Long after the sip you still have some crunch lingering.

Mouthfeel (4.50) Great carbonation level – it feels as it looks. Its has a medium to light heaviness to it. Lips are as sticky as if I were drinking a stout. There is a slightly sweet quality to it. Very satisfying to drink.

Overall (4.25) – This is pretty interesting to me. Its got a really awesome roasted flavor to it but then finished with the familiar hop crunch. Perfect carbonation levels. The appearance is quite nice too, except, the lacing it out of control. Its like an insulating lining on my glass.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 03:39:49 | More by csparace

usafboy

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Poured on tap at the Aviator Brewery into a pint glass. Deep orange color. Beautiful! Moderate lacing formed as I drank. Didn't want to wait for this one.

Smell- Light and zesty.

Taste- With only a Killians to base my memory off of a red this beer much far better. Grassy and clean hops that lingered but didn't overpower.

Overall- This is what I imagine when I imagine an irish beer. Aviators signature brew and rightly so!

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2012 04:12:12 | More by usafboy

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

excoriator

North Carolina

1.68/5  rDev -54%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Poured from a bottle into a glass. It has a nice head that maintains a thin layer even halfway through the beer.

Tastes horrible. I detect notes of copper and and a subtle chalky aftertaste. It has a very watery mouthfeel.

I bought this beer because they are a local brewery from down the road. I like some of their other stuff, but this is just awful.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 00:52:10 | More by excoriator