Red Fox - Joseph James Brewing Inc.

AltBock

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

22oz undated bomber bottle with a standing upright red fox that was cut off at the waist. The fox is standing up like a squirrel or a prairie dog. The fox is cut off by a gold crown. Nothing else on the label except for the ABV% and the Government warning. Poured into a Big Eddy (please don't laugh) Snifter.

This beer looks like it poured a pitch black color, but when I held the glass up to the light, I saw a reflection of myself. I'm forced to say that it's actually a pitch black color. No red in this color. On top of this pitch black brew was a 1/2 an inch dark tan head of foam. It had really nice retention that left behind a thick string of tan rings and a few spots of lace around the glass. It looks really nice. No problem with the appearance.

The aroma of Red Fox started off with the scent of raisins and plums. Behind the raisins was a mildly sweet aroma of caramel. Right behind the caramel was the roasted malt, roasted coffee beans, and dark chocolate. It wasn't offensive, but it just seemed it was lacking. It smelled like it was holding back the strength of the aroma.

Like the aroma, the taste was holding back as well. It wasn't one taste after another. The taste was just one big flavor ball. This flavor ball consisted mostly of roasted flavors like roasted malt and roasted coffee. Stuck in this roasted flavor ball was a little dark chocolate, caramel, and raisin. That's all folks!

The mouthfeel was medium bodied, a little carbonation, and a faint dry roasted aftertaste. This aftertaste doesn't stick around. Why it left so soon, I don't know.

It's clearly not the BEST RIS I've had, but its still drinkable. This beer was holding back. It should let some of the flavors/aromas off the chain. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg for a bottle. If you want a drinkable RIS from the Las Vegas area, pick a bottle. One bottle however was good enough for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 23:22:05 | More by AltBock

woemad

Washington

3.96/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber purchased at Total Wine in Spokane for $4.99. This is my second beer from this brewery (the first was rather grim) and from the state of Nevada. No freshness date on the bottle.

Poured a very dark shade of brown, almost black, that allowed no light to penetrate and looked like it had a crude oil-like viscosity when it was poured into a large version of the Sam Adams new model glass. Huge, creamy-looking mocha-colored head. Lots of sticky, spiderweb-like lace left on the sides of the glass.

Aromas of brown sugar, mollasses, dark chocolate and prunes greet the nose. Seems a little on the sweet end, but not too far.

Surprisingly well-balanced tasting. I worried I was in for a sugar bomb, but although the sweet aspects do kick in first, they are almost immediately balanced by a bitterness that keeps things from getting cloying. Mild drynes at the swallow.

The body is somewhere between medium and full, with a mouthfeel that is both creamy and coating. It definitely leaves itself affixed to the palate.

A surprisingly good RIS. I would definitely drink this again, and would love it in a 12oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 21:31:38 | More by woemad

WoodBrew

Illinois

4.24/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

The Red Fox is a surprisingly decent Imperial Russian Stout. A definite winter warmer. The beer pours a opaque dark in my sniffer glass. A lucious tan head forms when I swirl the glass but quickly thins leaving some lace on the glass. The smell has an alcohol roasty flare which makes one want to continue to sniff let alone drink. The caramel/chocolate malt start this beer then some nice bittering hops help it finish. The full body helps the taste linger on the pallete making it a joy to taste another sip. Overall I am really impressed with this stout....especially coming from a place of perpetual heat such as Nevada.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 03:38:56 | More by WoodBrew

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass:

A: black colored body leaving a mocha colored head that dissipated quickly. Minimal foamy ringy lacing is left

S: chocolate notes up front coming forward in a roasty way

T: sweet having the chocolate dominate the mouth in the same roasty way yet there is still a slight bitterness coming through

M: medium to heavy and coats the mouth in a creamy smooth wonderful way. I'd have just one pint in a session.

O: though not as drinkable as some other RIS's, I still liked it. Besides, just my opinion, but RIS's are better in small doses anyways.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 19:15:32 | More by kangarooAdam59

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I feel I should be listening to the Sanford and Son theme on a loop whilst drinking this... It pours a deep black-brown topped by a finger of dark-ish tan foam. The nose comprises darkly-roasted malts, nail polish remover, and some dark coffee. The taste brings in more of the same, toning down the nail polish remover a bit and adding some chocolate syrup. The body is a stolid medium, with a light moderate carbonation and an ever-so-slightly chewy feel. Overall, this stout really ain't all that bad, but it is far from great. I could drink this...

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 00:45:55 | More by TMoney2591

JimTeal

Nevada

3.13/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

You cannot just wish a beer to be good, and this beer is just exactly that, good. My experience with this dark Russian Imperial Stout style is limited but growing. The style requires some extra pizaaz in order to be considered above average. As much as I would wish Red Fox had pizaaz, it does not. Mostly you will experience a good try, but not a good result. The dark malty, caramel flavors do not linger, but the high 9% ABV does, and in my opinion that is not a good thing. The head pours a finger, but immediately disappears. To me that is a result of alcohol, and thus the limited smell and taste. Put simply, they never get out of the bottle and into the glass. In my judgement this is an also ran beer from a local Las Vegas brewery, like I said, I wish it were better.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 20:20:10 | More by JimTeal

BgThang

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was an extra in a trade sometime last year. Just now getting around to trying it. Looks nices and black, the nose has a very nice roasty -ness to it. the mouthfeel is a nice medium body that is typical of this style.

This is not your overly sweet under attenuated impy stout. this is a classic impy stout and a very good one at that. Not sure why it has a very low rating. I am loving this beer. There is a little bit of astringency but very slight. Not a detractor at all.

I wish this was available in texas as I would buy it regularly.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 00:00:43 | More by BgThang

kojevergas

California

3.15/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22 fl oz brown glass bottle served into a Uinta pilsner glass. Thanks to me gaffmate Andrew for the bottle; he tried it and thought it was bollocks so he gifted it to me. Reviewed live.

A: Pours a two finger rich tan colour head of nice thickness and cream, and good retention for the high ABV. Colour is a solid nontransparent black. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Lacing is average. Looks pretty good. Right on the money for the style.

Sm: Roasted barley (me favourite), chocolate malt, caramel, and dark malts. An average strength aroma. Smells a bit sweeter than it ought to.

T: Middling roast, over-caramelization, badly handled chocolate malts, and a dark malt foundation. Quite simple for the style. Too sweet, almost evoking brown sugar. No subtlety at all. Not complex. No yeast or alcohol comes through - a decent achievement at this high an ABV. There's just so little going on here. If you're going to attempt this style, you've got to bring more to the table. Far too sweet. My housemate described it as a bit cough syrupy. I don't know if I'd go that far, but I do get a sort of artifical dark cherry sweetness that really doesn't help the balance.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Wrong for the style, outright. Especially too wet on the finish. A good stout drys and coarsens on the finish to make you crave the next sip. This is not that. Not creamy enough. Decent thickness, but a touch syrupy. Doesn't feel tailored to the flavours. Carbonation is good.

Dr: Drinkable for the high ABV; that's its strong suit. But it's very bland for the style. This will definitely get lost in the mix. With every brewer and their mother trying this style, you just have to do more. Specialize your flavours: barrel age, use vanilla bean, add cacao, do something. Don't do this.

C+

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 04:44:29 | More by kojevergas

jdhilt

New Hampshire

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

Pours a one finger light tan head that fades quickly to a ring leaving some lace. Black color, no highlights. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Baked chocolate nose and flavor is baked to burnt chocolate with hints of molasses. Burnt chocolate finish. On-tap, $8.00 for a 16oz glass from Central @ Caesar's Palace Las Vegas, NV.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2012 21:19:33 | More by jdhilt

challenja

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +37.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served On Tap at ChurchKey DC.

A: Sacloth black, no froth, all bizness!

S: Brown Molasses dark cocoa nibs, Sweet red berries. Cherry bourbon barrel. Wifs of sweet smoked meat and sherry.

T: Bourbon barrel smoked malt. Sweet Costa Rican dark roast coffee. Cherry pitted Biscuits. Lushish sherried cream.

M: Medium bodied great flowing carbonation that cuts through the velvet underlaying alcohol lingers on the gums and the tongue.

O: An amazing complex bourbon barrel stout that is imposing but not overpowering in character or greatness. A solid A beer!

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2012 22:25:42 | More by challenja

UCLABrewN84

California

2.78/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pours an opaque black with a 1/2 inch foamy dark khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of dark malt, cocoa, and slightly sour dark fruit aromas. Taste is quite sour with dark roasted malt, cocoa, and coffee bean flavors. There is an acidic quality and a mild roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, the sourness in the flavor of the beer is unexpected and definitely detracts from its score.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 01:10:46 | More by UCLABrewN84

htomsirveaux

Texas

2.98/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle tried 10 Dec 2011. Courtesy of A&R, thanks for bringing this back from Vegas! Served in the 04. L Ulmer Munster snifter.

Large thick dark brown head that appears to be non self leveling. I think this is a first. Lightly carbonated. Clear dark brown in color. Aroma is sweet roasty malts and dark cocoa, a little on the light side for the style. Starts with lots of charred malt. Quite burnt bitter. Light body, warming ethanol. Finish and aftertaste redeem the start somewhat, a bit of licorice and charred wood, lingering sweetness and ethanol.

Needs work.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 02:42:25 | More by htomsirveaux

scottfrie

California

2.75/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle into Duvel Green tulip. Thanks for this one Rizalini.

A: Pours near black with a thick, bubbly, dark tan head that slowly faded into a thick fuzzy film.
S: I get rich notes of chocolate, roasted malt, toasted marshmallows with a hint of dark fruits.
T: Roasted flavors dominate. The chocolate is there as well alongside a bit of char. The finish is lightly fruity with flavors of prunes and raisins, and the aftertaste is bitter, smoky, and lightly alcoholic.
M: Ample, fizzy carbonation – a bit too much. Body is a bit too light as well, and the mouthfeel is spritzy and a little rough around the edges.
O: Not terrible but needs some work. The carbonation is distracting, and the flavors are thin and burnt.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 23:01:48 | More by scottfrie

hdelavega

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured to a snifter.
Pours a dark black, tan two finger head that leaves nice lacing.
Sweet aroma, dark fruit, a little roast. Dry in flavor compared to nose, nice roasty malt, not as much of the dark fruit i was expecting after the nose, strange metallic finish. Fairly light body for a stout but easy to drink.
Overall a nice beer to try but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 21:36:12 | More by hdelavega

jdense

Oregon

3.08/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle purchased in Las Vegas November 2010, mostly used for gingerbread for tomorrow's DONG (Dudes of Northwest Grog) Twelve Beers of Christmas, 12.17.11.

Ring of light brown head around edge of glass, slow dissipation, decent lacing. Dark cocoa nibs, some vanilla, floral hops in the nose. Chocolate up front taste-wise, floral hops not much else. Mouthfeel is well on the light side of medium, almost watery, minimal effervescence, a bit of stickiness. Really strange mouthfeel inhibits drinkability. Pass.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 22:16:08 | More by jdense

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a 16 oz. snifter.

A- black, with 1 finger thin light tan head. Very little lacing that resides quickly.

S- Roasted malts, metal

T- Roasted malts, hint of coffee, has a off metallic-like taste to it.

M- Medium body. Almost a little thin for the style and abv.

O- Another bad beer by this brewery. Just seems to always be off flavors in their beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 04:28:47 | More by kawilliams81

scruffwhor

Illinois

2.78/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to my parents for picking this up for me during their trip to Arkansas.

Just a few bubbles of medium brown foam after the pour. No foam or lacing after that. Clor is black with ruby/brown highlights. Not your opaque black abyss most are used to for the style.

Coffee syrup and cocoa liquer aroma. Strong and alcoholic, but the roasted malt aromas keep things in line. Maybe some walnut liquer in the scent as well.

Bitter roasted malt is the dominant flavor from front to finish. Some watery syrup flavored coffee with liquid chocolate product. The finish is is a weird yeasty, fruit and almost burnt malt mix.

This beer wasn't bad in my book, but off-putting for the style and my taste of course. Glad I got to try it though.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 02:14:12 | More by scruffwhor

OlRasputin989

Arkansas

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

poured into Old Rasputin nonic

A: pours an opaque dark brown with an inch of head. Settles to a thin layer of foam with no lacing

S: rich aroma of dark chocolate, licorice and hazelnut coffee

T: creamy chocolate flavors, licorice, and a roasted nuttiness. a long, bitter espresso and chocolate finish

M: smooth and slick upfront, medium body with a low carbonation, light warming alcohol, and resiny, dry finish.

Overall, I'm digging this beer. Definitely not one of my favorite RISs, but very drinkable. I really enjoyed the chocolatey flavors in this one. I will buy more of this beer in the future

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 19:51:30 | More by OlRasputin989

FosterJM

California

3.23/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

635th review on BA
Bottle to snifter
22oz

App- a very dark brown bordering on black at the pour. A garnet edged color as it settles in the glass. A big two finger head gives way to maybe 1/8" ring of bubbles as the beer falls. No leg, no stick.

Smell- When you first pour and smell its much more alive on the nose. The roast and coffee notes are pronouced with a splash of hops. As it settles and warms its very much A bit of ethanol alcohol on the nose.

Taste- Almost follows the nose to the T but just fades even more. The roast and coffee seem to have faded altogether and are replaced with almost a straight ethanol blast on the tounge.

Mouth- medium bodied and medium carbonated. The roast and hops stay.

Drink- Had to bring home some local brews from LV and have so far not been too pleased. Over the top malt bomb IPAs and now a fast fading stout with too big an ethanol flavor.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2011 04:50:38 | More by FosterJM

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to my BA friend alexgrahamlv for the trade! Vegas Baby....Vegas!

A- Pours a motor oil color, that is relatively clear and clean looking. Very nice caramel colored foam head a couple of inches thick forms, and slowly recedes into a thick film, just like a stout should. There appears to be some fine columns of carbonation rising to the top. Lacing is excellent with soapy strings of foam clinging to my glass. Great start!

S- Stronger than average stout aromas...cocoa powder, black coffee and burnt toast dominate the profile here. There is a soft peanut butter toast like aroma in the background as well. The finish does have some muted hop cones....they come across soft however, which is fine by me.

T- More of the same....just on the palate now! The black coffee is a little more pronounced than the dark chocolate/cocoa but it is still very nice. The roasted malt aspect is also more noticeable....as this warms up, the chocolate shows itself more. There is also a certain fruitiness in the flavor which I can't quite put my finger on. The finish is softly bitter, but more roasted and dry than anything. Surprisingly, the alcohol is very well hidden, which I wasn't expecting at all.

M- I wouldn't call this full bodied, but closer to medium....this is the only area that disappoints a bit, as there is a watery note right at the swallow that seems to wash the flavor away within seconds afterward. Aside from this, the carbonation is mellow and easy going.

O- Overall, this is a very nice example of a stong Stout. It has good, but short lived flavor, isn't fiery with booze, and provides an easy drinking experience. I wouldn't mind enjoying this with a meal or dessert, such as Black Forest cake. Reminds me of a stronger Irish Stout that isn't Guinness....

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 01:05:07 | More by ChrisCage

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a snifter)

A- This beer pours an opaque black body with a thin wisp of deep tan head with only a few tiny bubbles visible stuck to the base of the glass.

S- The earthy roasted black malt takes on a berry quality in the finish. It is dark and rich but not a lot of depth.

T- The smooth clean flavor of fruity ester note to a roasted black malt flavor is very mellow. There is a blueberry note that grows in the black malt as it does in the smell. There is a mellow chocolate note in the finish as the beer warms and a soft tang and a coffee roasted inky hint aswell.

M- The light mouthfeel has fizzy texture but no real alcohol heat until the last few sips.

O- The smooth roasted black malt has a lagered quality to it with the fruity berry flavors growing stronger while the black malt gets overpowered a bit.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 21:38:39 | More by rhoadsrage

Gavage

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: black in color with a short 1/4" dark tan colored head that falls apart quickly.

Smell: roasted malts with softer chocolate and coffee tones. Alcohol is noticeable.

Taste: roasted malt, dark chocolate, prunes, and some coffee tones arrive late. Bitterness is moderate, but alcohol is very strong here.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied as this is a bit thinner than expected. Light prickly start with a smooth and long lasting finish. Alcohol burn lingers a bit.

Overall: this one was a bit too strong on the alcohol presence. Definite slow sipping beer but one is more than enough in a session.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2011 14:07:46 | More by Gavage

tbern007

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle.
Pours black, very dark brown - no light gets through. Very thick tan head that lasts well and leaves good lace.
S - earth, prune, raisin, light hop, roasted malt.
T - starts with a light smoke. Although there was a scent of fruit, there is no taste of fruit. Rather, there is roasted coffee beans, bitter dark chocolate, slightly hoppy.
M & D - begins slightly sweet and smokey, moves dry, finishes slightly sweet. I wish there was more dark fruit taste and considering the style, it's not as full as I wished. ok overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 17:23:08 | More by tbern007

bunnyhustle

Illinois

2.73/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I want to start by saying that I love that a local brewery is bottle beers, great for Vegas! But...once again I'm not too impressed. I dont think I ever got over the initial pour. Poured into Duvel tulip glass with zero head and retention. Smell was of some chocolate, coffee, malt but all very watered down it seemed like. Taste was a little bland, better warmer (as is expected with this style) but still nothing too dominant. Some chocolate, some coffee, toasted grain, vanilla, alcohol, but nothing stuck out. Mouthfeel was a little thin for the style. I cant complain too much cause the bomber was on $2.99. And I will say the ABV is very well hidden, just needed a little more "umph" to it.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2011 04:54:40 | More by bunnyhustle

seedsofchaos

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Received a bomber from Destral as an extra in a recent trade.

Midnight black motor oil poured with a 3/4 inch milk chocolate head quickly becomes something a bit more mundane. The head quickly collapses under the alcohol and leaves the partaker with no parting gifts. No lacing and, sorry fellows, this baby's got no legs.

Roasted barley takes the lead of the bouquet followed by dark chocolate and a healthy malty sweetness. Nuances of espresso and coffee beans are present but alcohol is, remarkably, unnoticeable. A very simple aroma, all in all, that strikes me as unimposing. In an RIS, I honestly want my nose to be bitch slapped with complexity. Flavor doesn't even do as well as smell unfortunately... Roasted barley mirrors in the flavor but then comes a touch of tannin astringency that grows. Hop bitterness and solid roast attempt to cover up shortcomings but the aftertaste is solidly astringent with a touch of metallic. If drinking the whole bottle, one might be able to forget about these off-flavors after about 18 ounces.

A super creamy mouthfeel is definitely present but taken away from by the taste. Very light in the body for the style but it is in this that one can find a bit of silkiness that adds a level of pleasantness.

I believe that this beer could have definite potential with a bit more QA at this brewery. The basics are all there for a great beer. Unfortunately, this bottle had its flaws.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 03:40:42 | More by seedsofchaos