Newcastle Werewolf - The Caledonian Brewery Company Limited

dbossman

Nebraska

3.08/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Reddish copper with a steady one-inch cream-colored head and okay lacing

S: Pretty subdued; grainy rye, and bready with a little bit of some grassy elements too with subtle toffee and caramel but pretty much a nondescript and simple smelling beer

T: The spicy rye is nice but everything else is a bit strange; some sweet fruity elements, some bready qualities, lots of grassy and grainy elements, but it doesn't quite mesh together and the finish has a subtle herbal quality that is slightly off putting

F: A touch thin but the finish is creamy enough to give body

O: Not overly impressed with this one; I tend to love rye forward beers but this one just didn't come together for me

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 03:22:23 | More by dbossman

Giggy

Michigan

3.13/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A lot of thought, cleverness, and marketing went into the appearance of this beer. They should have put a little bit more into developing the flavor of this beer. I bought it because of the whimsical label, because it is mid October, and because it is a limited release.

Appearance of the beer: Beautiful clear copper coloring with a sandy head which disapates to a thin layer.

Aroma: Sweet caramel malt

Taste: Very dry and slightly bitter. Mainly a malt and rye flavor. Could have used more development. Watery.

Overall: Very drinkable, novelty Hallowen beer. Nice change from all of the fall spice/pumpkin beers. Average

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 21:48:38 | More by Giggy

Phxsunsfan

2.63/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

It was ok very carbonated, watery not to much flavor.

redish color.

tan head.

Regular Newcastle is alot better. Fun to drink around halloween, and awsome lable. I thought it tasted alittle better kinda warm. Probley something i wouldnt recommend or drink again tel around next halloween

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 06:36:15 | More by Phxsunsfan

Billolick

New York

3.18/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle, lacks bottling/freshness info

Pours clear, reddish amber. Larger and lasting medium tan head, film, collar and decent low sheeting and strands of higher lace.

Nose shouts SWEET, with vanilla, perfumed fruits and caramel malts.

Thin and watery, waves of caramel, honey and some vanilla. Ehh really not anything much going on here. I'd marinate chicken or pork in this stuff, of course cuz of the sweetness, but as far as drinking more then this one bottle? Not likely....

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 01:25:27 | More by Billolick

rangerred

Tennessee

2.98/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear reddish brown with a thin fizzy head. No head retention or lacing at all.

Aroma of caramel, toffee, and dark fruits. A little noble hop characteristic as well.

The flavor has toasted malt and dark fruit. There is also some caramel and toffee. Kind of like regular newcastle with more roast and chocolate. Bitterness is quite light. The mouthfeel really was a let down on this beer as it is way too carbonated, almost like a soda.

Overall, I like regular Newcastle way better. The flavor profile is decent but the carbonation just throws it off. Not something I will pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 00:53:31 | More by rangerred

Minkybut

Virginia

3/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I poured this oddball beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer was red for sure and I guess from the slight fruit hit came from whatever those berries are in it. The beer had a bready smell and poured a nice white head. However that did not hang around long. The beer had a bit of a bitter finish. I'm not about this one yet. I have a few more to drink before I really decide.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 23:17:07 | More by Minkybut

socon67

New York

3.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a rusty brown with a reddish tint. White foam is highly carbonated and settles fast.

S - Scent of english malt is present. Very strong wood smell; like varnish. A subtle smell of plums is in the background.

T - A considerably malt-foward flavor. Has some flavor of caramel. Finish has a dry-hop flavor. Slight bitterness is balanced by the malt.

M - I didn't find this all that sessionable. The malty notes gave this a chalky feel that I felt was stuck in my mouth before I finished the bottle.

O - Interesting though not noteworthy beer. I'm more of a fan of a good ole' Newcastle Brown than this.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 01:52:07 | More by socon67

oldirtycaffrey

Virginia

3.35/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This is a decent beer. Maybe best in small quantities. The appearance is very good -- sharp red color with a foamy inch and a half thick head that dissipates to a thin head over a normal amount of time. I can't tell if I like the smell or hate it honestly -- there's almost a nail polish aroma to it -- it's hard to smell the malt through the alcohol. The taste is solid -- a little bitter, malty, a bit of a bite to it, but nothing truly memorable in my opinion. I once tried a 2 oz. sample of it at a Total Wine & Beer and was impressed; 12 oz. though, a little less so.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 18:27:28 | More by oldirtycaffrey

zeff80

Missouri

3.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a clear, dark burgundy color with a one-finger, off-white head of foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled malty and slightly earthy/grassy.

T - It tasted fairly malty with caramel and toffee flavors. Some slightly grassy bitterness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light to medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is an okay Irish red ale. Fairly typical for a Newcastle brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 02:23:04 | More by zeff80

tronester

Oklahoma

3.68/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear burnt orange with a thin creamy tan head. Hardly the "blood red" described on the package. Aroma of lightly toasted bread. The flavor starts with a spicy rye bread flavor, followed by some plums, then a hint of citrus fruit. An earthy, nutty finish. Clean bitterness to round things out. Mouthfeel is good, low carbonation. Overall quite a bit better than I expected, though the description on the bottle of the appearance was quite a bit off ;-)

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 23:01:38 | More by tronester

harpdog7

Illinois

3/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The bottle says "serve cool".

Follow this advice. When COLD, it is not outstanding. Seems a little harsh when cold.

Pour and let it warm up a bit. The beer comes into it's own when it gasses off a bit and comes to a slightly less than room temperature. It has a smoother balance and loses it's harshness.

I'd have to agree that it's more of a marketing gimmick than an unforgettable beer.

I don't love it, but it's a nice diversion.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 13:07:54 | More by harpdog7

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.05/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Big off white head eventually settles into a nice lacing above a clear reddish amber colored beer.

Sweet light caramel malts and some sort of Wylers fruit drink aroma.

Sweet, sweet caramel malts dominate with some light fruit juice taste coming through, not really sure if its grape or what but its there.

A dry almost puckering dry fruitish aftertaste on this medium light to medium bodied werewolf.

Seems to be a light washed out Chimay tasting drink, I really don't think I could drink a lot of these, well unless your buying.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 22:34:15 | More by LXIXME

flagmantho

Washington

3.4/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from 12oz bottle into a dimpled mug. ABV is 4.5% according to the label.

Appearance: medium amber-brown hue with a haze-free body and a thin layer of frothy white foam atop. Not bad.

Smell: sweet malt aroma which is caramelly, nutty and a little bit toasty. Good, but unfortunately there's a bit of a plasticy aroma here which detracts a bit from the otherwise stylistically-accurate bouquet.

Taste: nutty, toasty and biscuity malt with a mild bitterness and no hop flavor. Not bad, but I don't love it.

Mouthfeel: light body with a decent carbonation. It's a bit more prickly than creamy, but that is OK.

Overall: not a bad beer, but the brewers went a direction that I don't love. That said, it's a very drinkable beer. It appears I rated this beer high above the average; I think that has to do with rating to style. For the style it is not bad; for my own palate, I don't love it.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 19:53:09 | More by flagmantho

shand

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a nonic.

Newcastle Werewolf pours a brown-red color with a finger of head. Wet grain and earthy malts come through on the nose, with a touch of fruitiness. The taste is pretty good, it's got some fruitiness until the rye starts to cut through. The finish brings back the fruity flavor with a touch of the rye and some grain. The mouthfeel is lightly carbonated and drying, and the drinkability is good. Overall, this is pretty much the definition of good. There's nothing wrong with this beer, it tastes good, but there's absolutely no wow aspect here.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 00:14:46 | More by shand

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Deep amber/light brown body with a fizzy off-white head. I hate when a beer has a soda pop fizz. Too much carbonation. The nose holds loads of crusty malt (kind of reminds of the crusty bread malt from Ta Henket). Definitely a more roasty Newcastle Brown. Roasted and toasted malt dominate, almost making it dry. Theres even more dry crusty bread through the finish. I like how its different from the malt, but they just dont pull it off.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 01:09:30 | More by VncentLIFE

Fatehunter

Oregon

2.7/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a wide flute glass. Dark red color with a solid finger of head.
Rich smell of wet grain and ripe dark fruit.
Watery taste overall; bitterness tries to come out but fails. Meh.
Crisp texture, medium body with moderate carbonation.
It wants to be bold and flavorful, but it just doesn't happen. But it doesn't taste bad, just not great.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 19:48:49 | More by Fatehunter

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This poured out as a brownish red color with a cream colored head on top. The head settles and doesn't leave a lacing or much retention behind. The smell of the beer is malty with some grainy aromas. Not much in the way of hops in here. Earthy is one way to describe the smell. The taste had a light roasted note with some caramel sweetness. The mouthfeel of this beer is smooth, moderately carbonated and drinkable. Overall it's not a terrible beer but not te best either.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 02:11:09 | More by Knapp85

brewskifan55

Mississippi

2.53/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a tulip glass

A: Light brown. Not much head that quickly dissipates to big bubbles. Very light lacing.

S: Soapy. Malt, bananas.

T: Eh. Chocolate. Nutty. Biscuity, caramel malts. A really strange finish, like root beer and tree bark.

M: Light. Low carbonation. A flat finish.

O: Not impressed. Really boring. This creature bit me, in a bad way. A drain pour.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 15:13:33 | More by brewskifan55

atr2605

New York

2.58/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A-pours a dark reddish brown with an off white head with average retention
S-pretty faint, some caramel, some fig, low hop aroma
T-Caramel is about the only thing that follows through, with some bitterness but the hops dont contribute much to the flavor. Definitely a little under powered
M-light-medium bodied
O-Very drinkable beer but not what I would call a red ale. I feel pretty similar about this as I do normal newcastle, if its there I will drink it but its not what I would seek out

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 22:42:15 | More by atr2605

diamondc

Texas

2.65/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Slighty reddish mahogany tint, some decent head and lacing.

S: Odd scent ... a mixture of ripe berries, gooey hot caramel, grape kool-aid.

T: Watery almost brown ale characteristics, slightly nutty, charred coffee, a bit minty on the aftertaste.

M: Meh... as I mentioned, watered-down. No where close to an Irish Red Ale as its listed here.

O: A mediocre beer. Avoid.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 04:20:32 | More by diamondc

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.2/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Newcastle Werewolf has a medium, cream-colored head and a clear, bubbly, copper appearance with a decent amount of lacing left behind. The aroma is odd: slightly-turned brown bread and berries. The flavor is of brown bread, a little bit of sweetness, some bitterness, and pecan shell. Mouthfeel is light and watery, and Newcastle Werewolf finishes easy-going, drinkable, and dull. There is not much too this beer, sadly. I rate it just average. Try it, and see what you think.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 14:46:38 | More by RonaldTheriot

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.99/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Jimmy the Greek's, Old Orchard Beach, ME:

In a pint glass:

A: dark brown colored body yet had some clear maroon edges. A one finger off white head that died immediately into the body. No carbonation was seen rising and no lacing was left around the pint glass.

S: bready with a fruity sort of malt

T: fruity malt coming back fairly strong yet still had a decent roasty flavor.

M: light to medium and was mostly smooth. It was mostly drinkable.

O: this is a pretty good beer, good for me, good for the style. I would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 00:55:29 | More by kangarooAdam59

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Translucent dark brown/maroon. Bubbly eggshell white head.

Aroma: A clean bready smell. Pretty sweet in the nose with caramal/crystal malts, assuming this will be a very malty palate. Smells very similar to a Scotch or 90 Schilling Ale.

Taste: Lots of that sweet malt and breadyness from the nose here. Nothing mind-blowing but a decent example of the style. There's a moment in the finish where you almost get a roasted quality, but that feeling disappears too quickly. No hop presence or bitterness here(unless you count the dryness in the finish), however there is a peppery spice that lingers on your tongue that I think is evidence of the rye malt used in this one.

Mouthfeel: Effervescent but pretty smooth. Average drinkability. The peppery spice starts to get a little cloying after a while. Between light and medium in body.

Final Thoughts: For the style, Werewolf beats Killian's in my book. Newcastle has definitely put some work into this brew. Having said that, I don't think this is a beer worth seeking out or getting overly excited about. It's just an interesting seasonal release that pairs well with a cool autumn night.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 00:10:35 | More by JamesMN

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.08/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from 12 oz bottle into pint glass. Served chilled...

A) Nice red color, maybe a little brownish tone too. Good clarity... There was maybe a finger of soapy looking head to this, which settled quickly to a collar. No lacing...

S) Wine grapes and grape stems, light roast and grains. A pretty mild aroma overall.

T) Roasted malt, grains, light caramel sweetness. A bit of earthy/grassy hops on the close.

M) Lighter body with more carbonation than I would have liked. Pretty good drinkability from a mouthfeel standpoint.

O) Not bad, but not a Fall seasonal that I would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 18:19:10 | More by RoamingGnome

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.93/5  rDev +22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a standard pint glass.

The beer is a deep ruby/mahogany color. A dark cream colored head dissipates rapidly to a layer of bubbles. Very light lacing is present.

The beer smells roasted, toasty, and malty with a faint spiciness.

The taste is clouded by a metallic, sharp note at first that gives way to some roasted malts. There's a nice rich spicy body in this that I enjoy. In the end, a muted hop presence occurs.

Mouthfeel is bright, carbonated.

Overall, I like this one, because I do love Irish Reds. It's got some metallic carbonation in here that reminds me that it's not from a tiny craft brewer, but that's fine. Enjoyable red ale for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 16:22:37 | More by JuicesFlowing