Newcastle Werewolf - The Caledonian Brewery Company Limited

Treyliff

West Virginia

2.93/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- pours a dark copper, almost brown color with a small white fizzy head that reduces quickly with minimal lace.

S- right off I pickup concord grape juice, with a bit of earthy skunk and herbal notes, also some graham cracker. This ones all over the place.

T- moderate malt with notes of berries. Rye is prominent, finishes dry and bitter.

M- light-med body, medium carbonation, slightly foamy mouthfeel

O- this one was different, the flavores just seemed unbalanced to me. Worth trying, but not one I will go back to.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 04:04:31 | More by Treyliff

57md

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish brown (close, but not quite the color of coagulated blood) with two healthy fingers of head that retained for quite some time. There is definitely a wine nose to this offering. The wine in the nose comes through in the taste as well and the finish is dry. I am not sure if this is a red ale. In fact, I am not sure how this should be classified, but it is interesting nonetheless.

Had this at a Halloween party and it paired well with the superbly marinated grilled steak and chicken.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 05:23:09 | More by 57md

mnrider

Connecticut

3.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12. oz. Brown bottle. Blood Red Ale.

A: Pours a clear blood red. Small forming white head. No lacing.
Clumpy carbonation along the glass.

S: Earthy smoke like. Sweet Malts and a bit of a fruit aroma.

T/M: The rye malts are most dominant with a hit of hop bitterness.
Earthy some smokey caramel. Thick bodied and somewhat smooth.
The aftertaste is heavy and dry.

O: A pretty good middle of the road Red Ale. Malty with little else.
Not something I'd seek out again.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 01:15:01 | More by mnrider

fallopia

Indiana

2.18/5  rDev -32.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured from a chilled bottle into a footed ale glass.

Appearance: A pleasant, caramel-golden brown with a off-white creamy head that dissipates relatively quickly.

Smell: A fresh yeast smell with hints of rye and spices

Taste: Weak flavors of grains, pepper, and cloves with a cloying, bitter aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation and lighter body with a slight oily feeling

Overall, the appearance and aroma set up expectations that the taste couldn't back up. A poor substitute to the standard Newcastle Brown Ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 01:33:43 | More by fallopia

CMUbrew

Michigan

3.28/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle into a Sam Adams pint glass

A: Pours with a decent white head, but it fades into a small ring very quickly. The body is a clear, dark copper color.

S: Earthy hoppiness is about all I get.

T: Some light earthy hops and tannic tea flavors. Seems like it sticks to style. Thin flavors overall though.

M: Light bodied and a little bit watery. Carbonation is fine. Slightly drying finish.

O: This beer seems to follow style, but in a pretty weak way.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 04:04:51 | More by CMUbrew

Vashtar

Texas

3.4/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Caramelized malt, chocolate and vanilla. It tastes like a nice dessert beer.

Clear medium-dark brown. Not much lacing or head retention

Smells really sweet and vanilla. A bit offensive for a beer.

The mouthfeel is thick and slow

Overall, it's a nice beer for a casual/fun party

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 23:27:56 | More by Vashtar

Phocion

Minnesota

2.48/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Bottle poured into a shaker pint. Medium-dark copper body with a thick but fairly unretentive frothy beige head. Light lacing.

Aroma is thick toffee and caramel. Spicy rye adds a nice touch. Grassy hops and a bit nutty, with a touch of toasted and roasted malts.

The flavor is a combination of burnt and toffee notes. Grassy hops, somewhat astringent. Burnt/bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

Thin and well-carbonated. Slick, oily mouthfeel.

I had heard less than flattering things about this beer, but decided to pick one up in a mixed 6-pack to see for myself. The aroma actually temporarily got my hopes up; it had a lot going on and the rye really added to it. However, this illusion faded after the first swallow. This is not a particularly pleasant beer to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 18:30:54 | More by Phocion

BryanCarey

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Newcastle Werewolf Ale pours to a copper/red color with a subdued, earthy aroma that offers some hints of caramelized malt and a touch of chocolate and vanilla. There is a modest to low level of foam that dissipates to a thin layer in a short time.

Newcastle Werewolf Ale offers flavors of bread, caramel, grains, rye, nuts, some herbs, and a little bit of dark fruit. The tasting experience ends with a slight bitterness, but it doesn’t last long, returning quickly to the flavor of sweet malt.

Newcastle Werewolf is fall seasonal, limited edition beer brewed and sold with the cooler temperatures of fall in mind. It is classified as an Irish red ale and it is one of those beers that is very middle of the road, but in a mostly good way. I doubt anyone out there will find this beer offensive or turn it down, but I also doubt that many will be wowed by the experience. The flavor is a little too subdued to be taken completely seriously by the craft beer crowd, but at the same time, it has enough flavor going for it to make it worthy of a sample.

Newcastle’s brown ale is the beer that made it popular and like the brown ale, this one is very middle of the road overall. It isn’t anything amazing, but most who try it will find it good enough to recommend.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 02:06:47 | More by BryanCarey

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Newcastle Werewolf

Look: Reddish copper colored ale. Excellent clarity and vibrant hue. White head forms and recedes to the edges.

Smell: Notes of barley, caramel, toffee and floral hops round out the nose.

Taste: Butterscotch, toffee, caramel, brown sugar, nuts and chocolate are all present on the palate; a testament of a finely malted brew. A touch of mildly acidic, grassy, lemony hop is also employed. Malt forward, with a fine balance.

Feel: Light to medium bodied, well carbonated, with malt and a kiss of hops lingering into the finish.

Overall: A fine malty session ale. Plenty of flavor and easily drinkable. This is the kind of brew you can drink for hours at a pub and not get into too much trouble. Would be a fine companion for a steak and potatoes type meal.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 00:37:17 | More by Stinkypuss

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Following a disappointing experience with Newcastle's Founder's Ale, I wasn't sure of what to expect from their "Werewolf Blood Red Ale", other than a gimmicky beer for Halloween. I'd bought an entire case of the Founder's Ale hoping for the best, but this time opted for a single serving to test the waters. Fortunately, I found the Werewolf to be a much better beer all around.

It was similar in a way to the Founder's, although darker in color, with a nice bit of caramel and toast, and some underlying roasted notes. Actually, now that I think about it, it was more like a variation of their Newcastle Brown! The hops were grassy and gently floral, with just enough to give it some character, and there was a pleasant berry-like fruitiness threaded through the bready maltiness that kept coming and going, but always lingering in the finish. Unlike their Founder's Ale, it wasn't an unbalanced assault of bitterness atop sweet maltiness, but rather a focused combination. That's not to say that it didn't have a bitter side, because it was quite firm, but it never stepped beyond the limitations that the malt could offer to balance it.

Overall it was a pleasant ale with enough character to keep it interesting beyond a single serving, but also accessible enough for most anyone accustomed to a fuller flavored ale with a bit of bite. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 14:46:30 | More by NeroFiddled

chinchill

South Carolina

3.63/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle served in a Sam Adams lager glass.

A: Reddish mahogany color with a very durable tan head that leaves a nice coat on the glass when tilted: Not “blood red” but still a fine looking pour.

S: A rather earthy and slightly musty aroma, suggestive of dark breads, is a somewhat poor preview of the flavor. Tasting reveals a clear presence of some earthy hops, but these are also spicy and overlay a solid, roasted malt base with some nice rye flavor. Decent aftertaste with a nice notes of spicy rye and dark roasted malts.

M: crisp and lively with rather aggressive carbonation. Medium body. Semi-dry finish

O: good session beer: it has some complexity, no annoying off-flavors, decent mouthfeel, limited ABV, and relatively low price. The most interesting and appealing Newcastle beer in my experience.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 00:41:57 | More by chinchill

SometimesIfart

Michigan

2.88/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours ruby with a very small head that disappears quickly. Leaves no lacing.

S - Skunk, caramel malt, rust.

T - Predominantly sweet malt with caramel malt in the finish.

M - Medium carbonation with a medium body. Pretty flat though.

O - Overall, for $1.59 a bottle it isn't so bad. No it isn't complex but it is easy to drink and would be a good beer for people who are just now getting into complex beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 18:45:00 | More by SometimesIfart

yesyouam

New York

2.13/5  rDev -33.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Newcastle Werewolf is a crystal clear amber ale topped with a bubbly, white foam that leaves nice lacing. It smells sweet and syrupy with herbal, root beer-like notes. It smells warm. Light bodied and a bit watery, it leaves the tongue a bit raw. Let's address this poisonous taste. Is that fusel? It tastes like fusel and flatulence. There's a touch of candy sweetness and a touch of juniper bitterness, but it's still pretty much fart water.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 18:20:45 | More by yesyouam

BlurryVisi0n

New York

2.93/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on a pint glass.

Appearance: transparent amber, head is minimal maybe 1/10". It's roughly an off-white not looking too heavy.

Smell: because of the fact this brew doesn't smell like beer that is why it is this low. It does like the lightest chocolate you have smelled in your life.

Taste: Little malty, bitter chocolate but incredibly light. Nothing crazy going with this brew.

Mouth: medium, lightly sticking but I like the after effects.

Overall: I would buy it again but wouldn't smell it again. It is definitely not a bad brew, to judge a beer by this review is unjust, it more of how you appreciate it's qualities and inqualities. Salud!

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2012 03:22:10 | More by BlurryVisi0n

dbossman

Nebraska

3.08/5  rDev -4%
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 -2.5%
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 -18.1%
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 -0.9%
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 -7.2%
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 -6.5%
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 +10.6%
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 +4.4%
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 +10.6%
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

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.08/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at Buffalo Wild Wings into a Newcastle glass.

A: Clear, brilliant russet body under a fine cap of tan foam. Great lacing. Quite nice.

S: Stone fruits and crystal malts. Sweet and a bit boring.

T: Sweet, nutty malt dominates, with some assertively herbal hop bitterness on the finish.

M: Light body, lots of creamy carbonation. All right.

O: Tastes like extra-bitter Newcastle. I wasn't exactly clamoring for that.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2012 20:08:11 | More by woosterbill

tronester

Oklahoma

3.68/5  rDev +14.6%
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