Steel Reserve 211 (High Gravity) - Steel Brewing Company

Wrigfen

South Carolina

2.98/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

I sampled a 24 ounce can since that was all that was available. I noticed the website lists different ABV, however the one I sampled had 6% ABV. The product had a Sept 2013 date stamp so I am assuming that was the sell by date. The taste was neither good or bad. It was OK. I would drink it again but with many better products out there I would not go out of my way. It is an OK beer at an OK price. Try it for yourself but do not expect a full flavored rich beer. I wonder if the other ABV's have a different taste. Should Imcome across it I will review this further.

Serving type: can

06-06-2013 18:07:29 | More by Wrigfen

StonedTrippin

Colorado

1.98/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

this is on the edge of not being drinkable. a friend brought this over a few months ago and joked, what do you get the guy who has tried everything? well, he brought a steel reserve, and its been taking up space on the bottom shelf of the fridge ever since. last night it came out. piss yellow in color, with soda carbonation not amounting to much head at all. it smells like the can, but also that extract based density of rot gut that is sure to come. the flavor agrees, but for just a second on the front end its palatable, light, and refreshing, almost like a natural light or some other low budget beer that's just ahead of the pack. its short lived though, as the alcohol comes out, the weight sets in, and the can starts to warm up. after a few swigs, its downright repulsive, turning the stomach and taunting a hangover already. there is little or no room for this in the beer world, and thank goodness its not taking up room in my fridge any longer. yuck.

Serving type: can

06-05-2013 15:49:56 | More by StonedTrippin

c014572

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev +34.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

My absolute favorite train ride 40. Does its job at 1/4 the price of the macro brew crap out there. Definately adjunct heavy, can easily taste the corn. Sweeter than most, but this is smooth for a cheap malt liquor and has a nice flavor and does not get overty nasty as it warms. Give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 04:16:49 | More by c014572

Treath

California

4.31/5  rDev +78.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

This is from a 40oz bottle poured into a glass mug. The 8.1% ABV.

A- Dark yellow/golden color. Three finger head fizzles slowly to a small head, a little more than a film of foam. Bubbles are streaming up. Looks quite good. Leaves long strands of lacing.

S- Malts, Grainy, Alcohol, Corn.

T- Sweet maltiness is the major flavor. A little corn, but doesn't stand out too much. Alcohol taste is there, but it blends well into the taste. The sweet malt taste lingers to savor it.

M- Medium with a syrupy slick mouthfeel. It fits.

Drinkability- This is surprisingly drinkable.

O- Overall, this is a great malt liquor. It has a good taste, way better than Hurricane HG by a long shot.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 04:54:06 | More by Treath

Heeatherette

Washington

5/5  rDev +107.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I LOVE this beer! I don't see how people are being this great beer such low ratings. This beer is the best beer! I will pick this beer over any other beer any day! It gets you drunk, and I think it tastes pretty good! and I think this great beer deserves a 5 star!! People who are giving this beer low ratings are probably the people who think bud light is the best beer or something. Anyway I wish you could buy this beer in a 24 pack! Not so I could drink it all in one night, but just so I could have some Steel Reserve in fridge for days!

Serving type: can

04-10-2013 03:42:01 | More by Heeatherette

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

2.33/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A-yellow with bubbles and no head

S-very light hint of grains and honey. Such a faint scent, almost nothing here

T-comes in with a fair taste of grains, slightly roasted with some honey. It's really not a terrible flavor. The end has a certain bitterness and bite to it that probably comes from the high gravity. This basically tastes like cereal with a kick. Could taste worse.

M-low creamy carbonation with a semidry finish

O-well I doubt any of y'all are gonna pick this up with high hopes. You don't buy this for flavor or drinkability. You buy this to get as drunk as possible while paying less. Eh it could be worse, it's on the same level as BMC beers

Serving type: can

04-02-2013 03:20:49 | More by AdamBear

bbluemzbeer

California

5/5  rDev +107.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I am of the belief that a true beer lover ought to love all kinds of brew - from craft beers to dirt-cheap malt liquors. (I paid $1.99 for a 24 oz can of Steel Reserve at Rite Aid. Drank this beer very cold not warm. It taste very foul warm. Just warning !

Appearance : One inch head . It disappeared real quick
Smell corn mash, pale malt, alcohol and faint hops.
Taste : It tasted malt, sweet malt, cereal grains some hints of metal and a small amount of hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel It was average, the body medium and the carbonation good. Best when damn near frozen, . If you gotta go Malt, it's a cheap, classic choice. This beer is best of the American Malt Liquor!

Serving type: can

03-29-2013 16:27:00 | More by bbluemzbeer

VonSpyder

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev +53.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Apparently all I can get in GA is the 6.0% ABV, so bare that in mind when reading further...

12 oz. can poured into beer glass at home...

Smell:
Light hoppy aroma, but nothing to write home about...best way to write mom about it would be to say "It smells like beer"

Appearance:
Clear, light golden lager appearance with carbonation similar to that of Miller High Life (which isnt surprising since its made by the same company) Certainly nothing dissuading about the look of it.

Taste:
Fresh out the fridge cold- Very crisp, gentle carbonation, light malty hoppy flavor...very light. Just shy of cloying. No bitterness at all which is impressive for anything 5% ABV or higher. All in all very refreshing.

Slightly warm- I let it sit for a minute so I could get the full effect. After a while It loses it crispness and the carbonation dissipates pretty quickly as well, though the light malty hoppy flavor still remains...and is still very light. A little less cloying but also slightly bitter, but only slightly. All in all tolerable which is impressive for a malt.

Mouthfeel:
Thin, almost waterlike in texture excepting the carbonation. Its an easy beverage to get down and get down quickly if one so chooses.

Overall:
I actually enjoy this beverage infrequently and will pick up a case every few months. It's great after youve been doing some yardwork or other household project and you want to relax a moment. Among the malts I find it to be the best, though thats not to say there arent other malts I dont enjoy as well. It goes down easily and its very smooth...of course its also the 6% version so that may have something to do with it but still enough to achieve a decent buzz. Best of all its very affordable and available almost everywhere.

Serving type: can

03-28-2013 02:24:45 | More by VonSpyder

mfnmbvp

Illinois

1.48/5  rDev -38.6%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

24 fl oz. can, acquired last night after midnight at the local 7-11 for $1.79. Bottom of the can says best by August 12, 2013. My can also confirms it holds an 8.10% abv rather than some lower alcohol versions received by some other states. I would have preferred to have tried this from the bottle, but whatever. I was drunk when I bought it and needed a palate cleanser, but I held off on this one for today. Pretty low expectations, but I'm going in as unbiased as possible.

Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours a clear, somewhat dark gold colored body with plenty of bubbles sticking to the sides of the glass and floating up to the top to meet a two finger slightly creamy, audibly sizzling, off-white head. Head fades away into virtually nothing within a minute.

S - Corn adjuncts / corn husk. Stale dusty malt. Doesn't smell like much at all, really.

T - Adjunctive corn, again. Disturbingly aggressive artificial sweetness. Cherry corn syrup medicine like taste. More corn. Carbonation isn't ridiculously excessive, but it is definitely noticeable. No malted barley or select hops, as the can claims, that I am able to detect.

M - Mouthfeel thankfully isn't as sickeningly sweet as it tasted on the way down. Grainy corn kernel taste, with some leftover carbonation lingering on the tongue.

Overall, it is lightly bodied and masks it's high 8.10% abv very well, as I couldn't really detect much alcohol. However, there are better American malt liquors out there if that's really your style, they just might not be as high in abv as the Steel Reserve 211 High Gravity. You basically know what you're getting yourself into with this one if you so choose to walk that trodden path. A classic example of the standard alcohol delivery vehicle.

Steel Reserve 211 High Gravity ---1.5/5

Serving type: can

03-06-2013 04:50:16 | More by mfnmbvp

kojevergas

California

2.56/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

8.10% according to my can. I got interested in reviewing this after having Full Sail's malt liquor last night. 24 fl oz aluminum can served into a Uinta pilsner glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are average relative to the style. Best before July 29th, 2013 according to the bottom of the can.

Served very cold and allowed to warm slightly over the course of consumption. Side-poured with lessened vigor as overcarbonation is anticipated. Cost was $1.79 at the grocery store.

A: Pours a four finger beige colour head of slight cream, decent froth, nice thickness, and good retention for the high ABV (~4 minutes). Body colour is a pale yellow-copper. Clear and translucent. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Somewhat dull in terms of vibrance. Typical of the style.

Sm: Corn adjunct, clean barley, light floral hops, and stale malts. Clean and crisp, if off putting. A mild strength aroma.

T: Heavy corn adjunct with some off-putting artificial sugary sweetness. Bland pale malts. Clean barley. Light bland floral hops - strictly a preservative here. Emphasis is on ersatz corn and the malty build. Fairly balanced for what it is. I don't think it's as boozy as many others have noted. Caramel malt - a highlight here.

Mf: Crisp and clean. Light, smooth, and wet. Artificially smooth, with a bit of unwelcome syrupy character. Overcarbonated and biting. A bit buttery.

Dr: A great choice for getting sloshed, but an unappealing beer all around. Still, it may be one of the best choices at its price point if you're looking to get knackered. And it tastes better than most adjunct lagers. At least, it tasted different in a blind taste test I did with friends. I'll be pairing what's left of this with some pizza shortly and I think that's one of its best uses. Hides its ABV decently.

Low C-

Serving type: can

03-02-2013 04:24:29 | More by kojevergas

The21ner

1.85/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

If you are the type of person that wants a quick buzz at a low price, this is your beer. I bought both , the bottled and canned versions. It really didn't make any difference. It has a very skunky smell to it, and the taste is simply bad. I must say however, that the 8.1% abv masks the taste pretty well. Sometimes the only thing you can taste is the ethanol in it. The can version of 24 oz was $1.99 and the 40oz bottle $2.99, it's a very inexpensive beer. Though the old saying "you get what you paid for" certainly applies here. All in all, is a bad tasting, bad smelling beer with a very high alcohol content. score:2

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 21:34:15 | More by The21ner

dantose

Massachusetts

2.91/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I picked this up from the Class Six on post today. If I had known it was a millercoors product, I doubt I would have even tried it.

It's a high gravity, low hop american style lager with moderately high carbonation and fairly low head retention.

On cracking the can, I was greeted with a pretty bad aroma instantly making me second guess my purchase. It poured well forming about 1 inch of head which lingered maybe a minute or so before dying down. At 24 oz, the can was just beyond what my imperial pint glass could take.

Starts clean, slightly sweet, with a touch of almond. aftertaste quickly turns sweeter, almost, but not quite, too sweet. and fades into a pleasant alcohol warmth.

Feels heavy, almost syrupy. This is helped somewhat by the high carbonation.

All in all, not a bad brew. Not outstanding, but probably the best high adjunct american lager I've had.

Serving type: can

02-19-2013 02:10:11 | More by dantose

Ese

1.25/5  rDev -48.1%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.25

June 29, 2012 -- My life would never be the same again. It started off with me and my mate going to the local package store to purchase our pregaming material; the Friday ritual, if you will. While in there we came across what assumed to be a homeless man which struck a light for me; "let's go CVS and each get a 4-pack of 211 for the low price of $1.99." I say this as a joke, but my mate gleefully agrees. So we oblige. I am stuck. SHIT. I feel like a fucking bum loser piece of shit at the register buying this struggle beer. So we get to the drinking spot and lord behold, reach the moment of truth. I crack open a can (the appearance wasn't bad, hence the average rating), but a foul breeze ran though my nostrils. Scust. I was already very skeptic before taking the first pull but alas, I do it. What I tasted next is something that will forever be ingrained in the back of my memory. It tasted like suds at the bottom of a Bud Light (which I see is frowned upon here). It tastes drinking that water in a toilet bowl after someone flushes diarrhea. Scust. Mouthfeel: It burnt going down, this isn't tequila, this is 211! What a horrible set of events. June 29, 2012: never forget.

Overall: 1.25

Serving type: nitro-can

02-17-2013 00:24:06 | More by Ese

basscram

Florida

4.31/5  rDev +78.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A malt beer. poured from a can, ice cold, beautiful light orange color with lacing down the glass as it is consumed.

smell is of roasted corn, hardly any sulphur as I'd expect.

Taste is a clean malt no hop bitterness and carbonation is as expected with a malt liquor.

mouthfeel. very thin, easy to drink and the alcohol is hidden very well and you could possibly drink this pretty quickly ice cold.

Overall a good go to beer for me for those cheap times. I really like malt liquor beers so I'm kinda biased. That said, I do this for all beers I review. I respect all the styles. This one is a wonderful malt liquor with wonderful clarity and lots of maltiness

Serving type: can

02-02-2013 08:34:21 | More by basscram

beermakesmefat

3.9/5  rDev +61.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

This is surprisingly good. A very full bodied, slightly starchy taste, but never overly sweet. Very little aftertaste, even when warm. I see no resemblance whatsoever to malt liquor. Really the only downside is the 8% ABV. I only wish they made a version with a little less alcohol and a lot more malt, I'd drink this stuff all the time.

Serving type: can

01-31-2013 01:32:54 | More by beermakesmefat

GhostKidd956

2.6/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

A - Clear yellow lots of bubble running to the surface. Thick white foamy head

S - slight sour smell, very sweet, grains are very forward

T - Sour malt, little bitter, can taste the sweet grains a lot which was surprising

M - semi heavy, carbon could be a little less but over all kinda of okay

O - This beer really isn't that bad is if you factor in that i only paid 2.00 for it and it very favorful compared to your domestics such as budlight, budweiser,bush...etc and the fact that its 8.1 abv which mean pretty much a party beer :)

Serving type: can

01-04-2013 05:27:36 | More by GhostKidd956

welldigger888

South Carolina

2.1/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

A pale golden hue that leaves minamal lace and a snow white head that recedes quickly leaving just a hint of a foam ring.

Corn and skunk predominate, there seems to be some graininess and a hint of alcohol. No hops other than the skunk.

Taste follows the aromas and not so flattering of a way. A boozey corn dom inates with no hops at all. A hint of graininess seems to pull through, but barely.

Very thin watery like brew that has nothing but carbonation going for it.

At $2 a 40 oz'r it is what it is.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 01:37:11 | More by welldigger888

Commoda

3.88/5  rDev +61%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

this is a common ML found in many 24hr conveinience stores.

oddly, at $1.39 this is a very drinkable ML.

i always keep a number of empty frozen glass mugs in my freezer (found cheap at goodwill stores) and thats all i drink cheaper beers from and steel-reserve to me tastes superior to the king of beers..bud, icehouse, miller etc.

it does have a heavier texture than the other beers mentioned..but when ice cold this is an attribute.

at 8+ percent alcohol i suppose if you need to get lit quick it will do that.

i have it in a frosty mug with some italian sausage hoagies and its a tasty and economical pour.

its got good gusto.

Serving type: can

12-27-2012 00:34:01 | More by Commoda

wekieboom

Texas

3.65/5  rDev +51.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is by far the best of the "embarrassing" beers! True you may be ashamed to carry out a 40 or a tall boy, but this beer is actually good. I would choose this beer any day over the run of the mill beers that lack flavor and texture.

It is sweeter than expected but also carries a smooth creamy texture that mellows it out. The taste is somehow both bold and distinctive but not overbearing. Alcohol is high and leaves your mouth in a way to make sure you remember it but isn't as bad as liquor... of course.

Overall, is this a beer I would ever crave or seek out? No. But I can't help but wonder what we would think if it wasn't a gas station over sized beer being sold with the likes of Boone's Farm, interesting thought for you to ponder while rolling back your paper sack for another sip!

Serving type: can

12-19-2012 23:39:10 | More by wekieboom

Sunshine

1.2/5  rDev -50.2%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

Smells like cheap apple cider made with hops.

People who drink this are easy to identify, because their breath emits an unpleasant high-octane aroma.

I'm curious what process is used to give this beer such a uniquely poor flavor and appearance. I've googled the company, but can't seem to find any information which pins down the difference.

Serving type: can

12-10-2012 16:47:32 | More by Sunshine

atr2605

New York

3.08/5  rDev +27.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

pours a yellow transparent color with a white head with average retention. much more sweetness in the nose than other malt liquors to the higher. Heavier body than some malt other malt liquors, also due to abv. Definitely a brew with a goal of abv than flavor like all malt liqours.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 03:38:46 | More by atr2605

SometimesIfart

Michigan

1.03/5  rDev -57.3%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

A - Clear yellow with a massive frothy white head. Loads of carbonation. Slight lacing.

S - Odds grains, Skunk, Sweaty socks, farts

T - Sour malt, aluminum, sweat, pee

M - Heavy carbonation with a heavy body

O - This is the worst beer that I have ever had, Hands down. I would never drink this slop again. EVER.

Serving type: can

11-17-2012 21:29:04 | More by SometimesIfart

Fatehunter

Oregon

2.45/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Two fingers of head with descent retention. A few bubbles floating up in the clear, light straw colored body.
Smells like wet grain.
Tastes like malt, sweet but not overbearing. Not a hint of bitterness.
Light body, low carbonation with a slight stickiness to it.
For a high gravity lager it's one of the better ones.

Serving type: can

11-17-2012 03:40:01 | More by Fatehunter

nUgZ

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +55.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

6.0% Version

12 ounce can poured into a pint glass.

A: Light golden color with a 2 finger head and some lacing.

S: Malts and alcohol...not much else.

T: Sweet biscuits, malt, corn, and some alcohol. About as good as you could ask for out of a malt liquor.

M: Medium bodied with good carbonation.

O: Top notch as far as malt liquors go. I've had the 8.1% as well and the 6% is the way to go. It's much easier to enjoy than the higher alcohol version.

Serving type: can

11-12-2012 23:48:26 | More by nUgZ

deathpulse42

Indiana

1.7/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Could not finish --> drainpour. The only thing remotely beer-like about this is its appearance, which reminds one of a very pale American adjunct lager. Pungent, metallic taste. I realize that malt liquor shouldn't merit high expectations, but I'm not exaggerating when I say that you'd really, really, REALLY have to want to get drunk to drink this beer.

Serving type: can

11-12-2012 21:02:23 | More by deathpulse42