Casco Bay Riptide Red Ale - Casco Bay Brewing Co.

fx20736

New York

3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, served at slightly above fridge temp.

nice amber with a thin offwhite head. minimal lacing.

aroma; first thing I detect is diacetyl. the caramel corn dominates the nose totally.

mouthfeel: is good.

taste: a mix of pale and toasted malt with exactly the right level of bitterness to balance this beer.

notes: my 2nd Maine beer in an hour. this is a nice ale, well balanced, interesting enough to be distinguishable. would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 06:18:54 | More by fx20736

MadScientist

New York

4.08/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

appearance : reddish copper and very clear with a tan head of compact bubbles with some

smell: moderate malt aroma with notes of caramel and toasted bread. there is slight floral hop aroma. No Diacetyl

taste rich, clean malt flavors of toasted bread a hint of caramel with a nice balance of medium bitterness. Finishes with a flavors of roasted grains. No discernible hops flavors but defiantly some bitterness. No esters. Medium dry finish.

mouthfeel: medium-light body with medium carbonation.

overall: A malt focused beer with a nice dry finish. An easy to drink, food friendly beer. It has the caramel flavor but lacks the initial sweetness for the style which just fine by me but sort of forces me to hold back on a point there.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 01:46:50 | More by MadScientist

andrewjraab

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Received in my Amazing Clubs beer O' the month club my Wife Got me for Christmas. This was in February's Collection.

A - Nice deep red/amber/brown color with 3 fingers of creamy off white head after an aggressive pour. Nice stick and left nice rings all the way down the glass.

S - Malty, sweet, piney, and faint hop smell.

T - Rich and malty up front with medium body. Finish is clean with a touch of hops.

O - This is an excellent Red ale with big flavor. I love the balance between the rich flavors and the crisp finish of hop character.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 22:17:30 | More by andrewjraab

ArrogantDeadGuy

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wonderfully heady pour into a 14oz. pilsner glass. Nice hazy ruddy red color. Subdued sweet malt nose with a little hop nuance to get the nose hairs to stand up. Nice hop character up front and on the finish with malt sweetness balance the bitterness. Dry finish. Sturdy mouth feel, I would say this is the poster child for medium bodied. Not fizzy and very smooth. Overall this is a wonderfully easy drinking red ale whose flavors are an easy all season sell.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 21:16:19 | More by ArrogantDeadGuy

Tschnab

New York

3.28/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- A reddish copper body with a decent sized off white head with good sticky lace.

S- mostly malt but also a subtle hop aroma, bread, caramel, toffee.

t- hits the nose to a tee, but when it warms it is mostly malt that takes over, with little hops to fight back.

O- a good session brew here but not as balanced as I would like to see.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 14:29:22 | More by Tschnab

kangarooAdam59

Maine

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

Into a pint glass:

A: auburn colored body with a one finger white fizzy head that quickly dies, spotty but ringy lacing

S: roasted barley and some light hops

T: creamy, but light subtle roasted barley, some of the hops come back but are extremely subtle, some caramel is there at the end

M: light to medium, sessionable, light harshness on the tongue, no aftertaste, sticky caramel finish

O: this is a very good Irish Red and would definitely have this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 23:41:54 | More by kangarooAdam59

JustinAniello

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a reddish brown with a foamy two finger head. Slowly subsides to a substantial cap and sticky lacing.

S - A strong aroma of roasted malt, browned caramel, and nuttiness.

T - Sweet caramel and light breadiness followed by a heavy dark roasted malt, nearly a bit of smoke, and mild hop bitterness.

M - Medium/heavy body and medium carbonation, almost a little creamy. Complements the flavor well.

O - An excellent red ale. Nice malt flavors meshed with a nice light hoppiness along with a good aroma. I could easily see myself having a few of these with friends. Highly recommend if you have the chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 22:32:34 | More by JustinAniello

kojevergas

California

3.4/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a N'ice Chouffe beerflute in low altitude Los Angeles, California, in me gaff. Reviewed live.

A: Pours a four finger head of nice cream, good thickness, and good retention. Colour is a semitransparent auburn. Pleasant and inviting.

Sm: Roasted barley, some light amber hops, and perhaps some spices. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Cream, light subtle roasted barley, amber hops, pleasant light toasted malt, tea like flavours, and a touch of caramel (particularly on the finish). Balanced and enjoyable. Very pleasant. Enjoyable. I like it.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Not too thick or too thin. Generally suits the flavours of the body.

Dr: A very drinkable red ale with no bold flavours or any unique characteristics. Quite pleasant; a great session beer (by Irish standards). I'd like to try it on draught at a pub. The toasted malt in particular is quite nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 01:04:45 | More by kojevergas

Stringth

Maine

1.93/5  rDev -49.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

So so sad. This used to be one of my east coast faves. Then it disappeared for a while and tonight I paid 9$ for a six. Mistake. Used to be a fresh tasting ale and tonight it was a run-of-the-mill Shipyard brew--ie, ringwood (yeast) city. Major disappointment.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 01:59:28 | More by Stringth

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass. Thanks to BennyL1 for this.

Appearance - Not-quite-mahogany brown that looks slightly red until you hold it up to the light, at which point it looks quite red. Tan head is quickly gone with very little lacing. Just a little ring around the meniscus.

Smell - Nutty malty aromas. Not sweet, but a tad caramely. Very little hop aroma. Eh, smells like a red ale.

Taste - Nutty malts first and foremost. Not a lot going on. Just the same as the smell. It's not a bad flavor, it's just not much flavor.

Mouthfeel - Not as thin as I expected, which is nice. Even if there isn't much flavor, there's some body to remind you that you're drinking something. Goes down easy, that's for sure.

Overall - I finished this before I knew it, so I guess it can't be bad. I just barely noticed I was drinking a beer. I'm just not one for red ales, but it wasn't bad.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 13:23:18 | More by Alieniloquium

BennyL1

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served into a standard pint glass. Best before June 2011 on the label, not the freshest but I'll still give it a go.

Riptide comes out deep mahogany with hints of red when held up to the light. A very generous fingers worth of creamy ivory head that gradually falls back into the beer. Some nice lacing along the glass.

Nose is full of caramel malt with a touch of floral hop aroma. Considering its drink by date is almost here this one has some nice scents in the nose.

What a very tasty Irish red. Caramel and nutty flavors with a nice hop bite to round it out. Very well balanced. Rich flavors throughout the drink

Medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel. Carbonation prickles the tongue.

I was happily surprised by this beer. I could enjoy this one with a good meal or around the campfire straight from the bottle. If you're looking for a good Irish Red, this one comes highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 02:50:51 | More by BennyL1

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap in Portland, Maine
It pours a deep ruby-hued oxblood color with a big fluffy off-white head and loads and loads of lacing.
A big sweet malty smell rises. Smells of fruit cup with a fresh citrusy and flowery background.
Caramel and mixed fruity sweetness rests in an assertive rich malty body. Citrus and resinous hops lend support, but remain quietly in the background (as it should be.)
A little golden rummy taste is noticed at first pour, but fades (as it should)
A really nice representation of the style.
Goes very well with lobster chowder, lobster rolls and boiled lobster with potato salad and corn on the cob...and melted butter!

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2011 23:20:16 | More by BeerResearcher

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a full transparent amber color with visible resplendent carbonation rising from the bottom. A modest beige head slowly fades to a ring.

Smell: Bready, earthy malt, with a bouquet of floral hops on top.

Taste: Starts out with a dry amber malt backbone, with some earthy notes as well. Light nutty and caramel (but not sweet) character as well. Finishes with a dry English hoppy bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Clean, dry, and smooth. It actually feels like it is easy to drink. Full, crisp carbonation. Very slightly astringent.

Drinkability: I was pleasantly surprised by this; a great Irish red.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 20:12:42 | More by KickInTheChalice

smakawhat

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An excellent looking beer of a dark red copper, with clear consistency. Good lacing with a nice two finger size head of light tan bubbles.

A smell that at first seems somewhat vegetative, and then sweet cream. Then surprisingly... coconut? Are you kidding me? Is this for real? Where did that come from?

Taste is a very cream with a saison sour quality, mostly wet with a great hop finish and cream. Intense aromatics of lightly baked bread, but no chew or biscuit like qualities. Quite fascinating and very unique, really enjoy it.

Would easily have this beer again no problem

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 17:10:01 | More by smakawhat

Durge

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ran into this at Jameson's Tavern in Freeport, ME. It had a light clear copper color with very little white head that disappeared leaving no discernable lacing. The aroma is cider malt mash and light grass hops. The flavor is lemony hopped malt with lots of caramel cardboard. Lightly carbonated, medium bodied, a bit limp in feel. Fairly drinkable but not great enough to warrant more than a couple I think.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2010 16:28:52 | More by Durge

WeezyBoPeep

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a standard pint glass.

A: Poured a clear dark amber with a copper tint to it. Nice tan head which all but disappeared after 30 seconds.

S: Light malt and hops, brown sugar and sharp alcohol notes.

T: Excellent balance of nuts, malt and hops. Sweet molasses and ripe fruit in the middle. Dry, clean finish that leaves you wanting more.

D: Exceptional.

Value: Perhaps the greatest thing about this fine red ale. I paid $6.99 for a six pack at the grocery store. Hard to beat that.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2010 15:39:13 | More by WeezyBoPeep

schoolcb

Texas

3.48/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Friend of mine passed this one along from the beer-of-the-month club. Poured a rich amber with ruby highlights. Small tan head that persisted. Bready maltiness in the nose with a hint of hops. Caramel malt sweetness but balanced more toward woody/grassy hop flavored bitterness. Medium mouthfeel. Finishes dry with the hop flavor carrying through in the aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2009 17:29:47 | More by schoolcb

tai4ji2x

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on-tap at the flatbread company, in portland, maine, on may 7, 2009, the day of allagash gargamel's release. served in conical 12oz glass.

dark red amber w brown tones. clear. light tan head, fades to wispy thin layer and ring. great webby lacing.

aroma: gentle caramel maltiness, balanced by similarly gentle, grassy english/irish hops. mild apple esters.

taste: caramel and apple esters meet grassy hops again, with crisp moderate bitterness. perhaps hint of nuttiness. very simple but flavorful.

light to medium body, smooth, w touch of resins in finish. gentle to moderate carbonation can be tingly but also moments of creaminess.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2009 08:30:50 | More by tai4ji2x

brentk56

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a clear dark amber color with a creamy ecru head that leaves some spots of lace

Smell: Bready malts with some earthy hop elements

Taste: Bready, up front, with a developing sour apple flavor that is, in part, from the bitter, earthy hops; after the swallow, the earthy elements tend to dominate, although there is also a metallic bite in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Medium body with prickly carbonation

Drinkability: Some of the bitter and metallic flavors are a little off-putting and limit my enjoyment of this beer

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2009 17:03:18 | More by brentk56

u2carew

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A) Pours with a 2 finger head. Amber to ruby in color. Thin bubbly lacing.
S) Toffee and caramel - a very pronounced sweet aroma. Hint of alcohol.
T) Bland up front, then everything shows up at the end. Nutty finish. Some malty sweetness in the middle. Some hop bitter bite. Decently balanced with the malt.
M) Medium body. Touch of dryness. Not much happening in the mouth.
D) As stated before a good balance between the malt and hops. I'd drink another.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2009 23:14:38 | More by u2carew

berley31

New Brunswick (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured with a very small, off-white head. Body is mostly clear with a trace of haziness, and a dark amber color. Good aroma... average maltiness present, some caramel, and light yeast. Great on the palate: smooth, medium-body with a creamy texture; soft carbonation. Progresses well to the terrific flavor: caramel and malt, nice and creamy, with a medium-duration finish. The beer does not look like anything special, but it's easiest one of the best Irish Reds I've tasted... could drink this all day for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2009 21:42:02 | More by berley31

dasenebler

Maine

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Great appearance: deep, dark amber-red. Beautiful pillowy head dissipates a tad too fast, but leaves behind some nice lacing. Aroma is woody, dry and malty.

Very nice flavor. A lot more dry and bitter hops than I expected. Malt sweetness balances things somewhat, though the finish is definitely dry. Woody and biscuity. Touch of spice. Mouthfeel is light, but very refreshing. Overall a very good red ale and a great offering from Casco Bay.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2009 03:49:53 | More by dasenebler

wagenvolks

Texas

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to my girl Emily for lugging a few bottles of beer back with her from Maine to TX! 12oz bottle, best by Dec. '09, into a Unibroue tulip.

Pours a beautiful, deep crimson-amber hue with good clarity and a well-retained, albeit thin, cap of beige head. Not much in the way of lacing. Toasted biscuit malts jump out first, quickly backed by yeast esters of candy apple, pear, and banana. Wafts of caramel-flavored tobacco linger in the background.

A well-balanced cacophony of malts and hops greet the the palate and ride out smoothly. Bitterness is kept at a moderate level, allowing some fruitier flavors to develop like red grapes and sour apple. The maltiness is slightly sweet and suggests caramel and toasted grains, while the hops assert themselves mostly on the finish as they chime in with a fresh greenery of resin and floral notes. Body is on the lighter side of medium, and the active carbonation level turns the creamy mouthfeel into a zesty, popping finish. All in all, a very flavorful, very well-crafted Irish Red that I would be happy to try again. Nice job Casco Bay!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2009 05:09:06 | More by wagenvolks

JimmieFrisbee

Rhode Island

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle from a beer of the month club.

Beautiful cream-colored head from a good hard pour. Body is a dark bronze-orange, I think a little light of a hue for the style. Lots of lacing left behind.

A little bit of hoppiness in the smell, getting a nice malt smell too. I know, I'm great at describing my senses... who would have thought a beer would smell like hops and malt?

Definitely getting a bitterness imparted from the hops. Pretty reasonably balanced against the smooth malt. I tend to like mine a little more malt-forward, with a little more sweetness and roastiness, but this certainly isn't bad. Finish is pretty dry, leaves me wanting another sip. This one is actually growing on me as I make my way through the pint. Getting a little bit of a hint of caramel, a little bit of that roastiness I live for.

Very thick mouthfeel -- a nice substantial beer. A good amount of carbonation, but feels about right with the heavy-ish body. Couldn't go on drinking these all night, be would be a great beer to have a couple of watching the game with the guys.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2009 22:12:23 | More by JimmieFrisbee

larsee01

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A--12 oz bottle poured into glass chalice. Reddish brown. Clear. Mildly carbonated. Pretty weak head with light lacing.

S--Nice roasted caramel malt. Sweet with balancing yeasty sour and very mild floral hop kiss.

T--A little bit more powerful here. Prominent hop bitter followed by almost coffee-like roasted taste. Finishes bready like sourdough. No malty sweetness like in scent...maybe could have used just a thouch of that for well-rounded complexity.

M--Rather light-bodied and nondescript.

D--Yeah, it's drinkable, but not overly refreshing nor challenging/rewarding.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2009 02:11:20 | More by larsee01