Tongue Buckler - Imperial Red Ale - Ballast Point Brewing Company

AWolfAtTheDoor

California

3.58/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pulled this out of my.. cellar for a marathon beer tasting session. Live review.

Cloudy ruby into my pint glass. Nice head. Little lacing.

Sweet malty nose. hint of alcohol. Apples.

More apples on the mouth. I think this bottle is far past its prime. Bitterness there, but not much hop flavor.

Medium mouthfeel. Coats the palate.

Overall I think I blew it by aging this too long. I thought it would be ok, given the alcohol level. After reading other reviews, it seems like I'm missing out on a lot of hop flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 02:39:03 | More by AWolfAtTheDoor

chippo33

Vermont

2.25/5  rDev -42.7%

05-23-2013 04:32:31 | More by chippo33

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%

05-23-2013 01:14:47 | More by mikeincharleston

jakecattleco

California

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-21-2013 19:21:19 | More by jakecattleco

jplopez21

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-17-2013 18:31:51 | More by jplopez21

Zbeetleman

California

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-15-2013 06:07:55 | More by Zbeetleman

Absolut

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

05-14-2013 14:40:05 | More by Absolut

DTown

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%

05-13-2013 01:32:06 | More by DTown

ferrari29

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%

05-12-2013 23:40:44 | More by ferrari29

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-12-2013 04:12:47 | More by MrMcGibblets

ChugginOil

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%

05-11-2013 03:33:14 | More by ChugginOil

Kubrickx

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-09-2013 22:08:07 | More by Kubrickx

blknikon

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-07-2013 22:47:11 | More by blknikon

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%

05-05-2013 10:17:50 | More by williamjbauer

BYOFB

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

05-03-2013 04:39:15 | More by BYOFB

bendern

Florida

3.1/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

22oz bottle into a tulip.

Bottle stated best by 08/16/13, had on 4/21/13.

Appearance - Very hazy, opaque dark copper. Around two and a half fingers of beige head with a gentle pour. Head dissipated fairly quickly, but left a lasting layer throughout the rest of the glass. Minor lacing.

Aroma - Malts, caramel, pine hops, biscuit and other bready smells.

Taste - Pine hops, sweet malts, caramel. Definitely taste more of the malt than the hops. The alcohol is not hidden well, especially in the finish. Alcohol warmth throughout. Drinks like a barley wine, which is a style I don't care for.

Mouthfeel - Full bodied. High carbonation.

Overall - Not a bad beer by any means, but nothing I'd particularly care to pick up again. Tastes more like a barley wine than a red ale. Good to try once. Not terribly impressed, especially considering the typical quality that Ballast Point puts out.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 18:38:25 | More by bendern

Not_John_Wayne

Ohio

2.5/5  rDev -36.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Nice coloration. Sriracha brings out the sweetness quite a bit. Good head if all you care about is presentation and bouquet.
Flavor is maltier than I want in any Imperial Amber. I'm eating a biscuit that has absorbed all my hops.

I would never drink this beer again unless someone bought it for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 03:16:43 | More by Not_John_Wayne

InlandTaipan

California

3.43/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured and drank on 4/17/2013

Bottled dated best by 3/23/13

A: Beer poured a hazy reddish mahogany. Off-white head was not long lasting and left minor lacing.

S: Aroma is of figs, caramel, butter (Diacetyl), fusel alcohol, pine, worty.

T: Flavor is caramelized malts, lingering punchy hop bitterness, and alcohol.

M: Velvety, thick. A lot of sugar so your lip sticks to the glass with each sip (Not sure if I like that)

O: An interesting take on an imperial Red Ale. I really enjoy Ballast Point's beers, but I feel this one neglects some of the balance that defines the great beers they make. I would still try it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:35:42 | More by InlandTaipan

ChumleyX

California

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%

04-06-2013 19:06:29 | More by ChumleyX

beercanman

Ohio

4/5  rDev +1.8%

04-05-2013 21:47:01 | More by beercanman

BJasny

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

04-02-2013 03:08:36 | More by BJasny

gshackles

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

04-01-2013 00:26:23 | More by gshackles

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a brown to amber. Darker in color with a slightly cloudy look. Healthy head - at least a finger and quality lacing. Smell is dominated by a great hop aroma and slightly balanced with some malts. Taste is good with malt and candimsugar more present with the hops some hidden well. Spicy. Good.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 00:40:58 | More by Oakenator

CasanovaCummins

Nevada

4/5  rDev +1.8%

03-23-2013 04:33:30 | More by CasanovaCummins

Teddy-Pickles

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +1.8%

03-22-2013 23:04:39 | More by Teddy-Pickles