Samuel Adams Brick Red - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap 12/8/10 at British Beer Company in Walpole, MA, served in a Samuel Adams "perfect pint" glass.

A: The beer is a dark reddish brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is kind of faint but contains caramelized malts, some hops, some honey and some citrus.

T: The taste starts with a hearty mal character and then sweet flavors of honey, caramel and some citrus. The hops presence is decent for the style and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, it might not be the best beer in the style but it's decent enough to be worth drinking for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2010 02:00:28 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Didn't know anything about this beer until I got to the brewery in Boston last summer. The brewery was giving samples of this along with a few others. Since it's only sold in Boston I'll need to make my way back there if I ever want to have this beer again. The color of the beer is a deep red color with a pretty decent looking head on it. The lacing was sporadic along the glass. The smell has a pleasent aroma of hops and malts. The taste also has a hoppy and malty flavor. The mouthfeel is drinkable and just about medium bodied. Overall it's a good brew and really worth checking out when in Boston.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2011 23:19:44 | More by Knapp85

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Some stringy lace from nearly a non-existent head; Deep ruby color and absolutely clear.

Mild smell--virtually nothing. What I can detect is very neutral.

Far more bitter than I expected. Good malt flavor which means its well-balanced. The aftertaste is short lived. Full bodied with a proper level of carbonation. Overall, a decent Red.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2009 00:21:46 | More by smcolw

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review from notes taken 2/19/10.

While in Boston for the Extreme Beer Fest I got to have multiple sample glasses of this on tap in the Sam Adams draft room after a tour. Tour guide informed us that this red ale is not sold outside the immediate Boston area.

It pours a clear amber red with a khaki/tan head more than a finger strong. Solid wall of lace clings to the glass with very good head retension. Floral hops and malty sweetness comprise the aroma. Taste is crisp and malty sweet with an alcohol taste filling out the body. Caramel notes are present and it has a warming finish. Medium feel with moderate carbonation. Very easy drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2010 19:37:57 | More by stakem

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.03/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed on 06/22/2009. On tap at Sunset Grill, Boston. This beer pours a dark brownish red with a white head. The aroma is of indistinct sweet malt. The flavor is sweet initially with lots of sweet malt. This is just a bland, malty mess of a beer, nothing special. Meh.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2009 16:42:26 | More by LilBeerDoctor

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.51/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap at Anthem Kitchen & Bar in Boston, MA

A: Pours a clear darker reddish amber in color with some moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some garnet red highlights. The beer has a half finger tall thin light beige head that quickly reduces to a medium patch of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of caramel malts and toasted malts along with some faint notes of grassy and earthy hops.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of toasted and caramel malts with just a slight hint of sweetness. Very light flavors of grassy and earthy hops contribute just a hint of bitterness which fades quickly.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly crisp with just a hint of dryness in the finish.

O: This was an OK beer but kind of what I have come to expect from Sam Adams - nothing too risky, fairly safe recipes that would appeal to gateway craft beer drinkers. I'm glad that I happened to find this on tap while visiting Boston for the weekend because otherwise I would not have had the opportunity to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 18:00:34 | More by dbrauneis

lordofthewiens

Maine

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stopping at the America exhibit in Epcot for a beer. This was on tap. The server said it was only offered on tap, and only in Boston and Disney. Good beer.
Ruby red color, thick tan head, a good deal of lace. Very pretty.
Sweet, malty, caramel aroma.
Very much caramel malt taste, a hint of cherry.
The malt makes it to be on the heavier side, but it was a very nice beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 01:17:18 | More by lordofthewiens

oline73

Maryland

3.08/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I had this at the Cheers set bar in Boston. Served in a dimpled Cheers mug.

Appearance: I'll admit this is a nice looking beer. Pours a reddish dark amber with a finger of thick off white head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Smell: Mild smell overall. I'm picking up some bready malt along with a slight sweetness.

Taste: Mild malt and slightly bitter from the hops. There is also a slight nuttiness.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: The malt profile is nice. This is an alright beer, but not particularly interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 22:36:41 | More by oline73

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.78/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewery.
Pours a deep amber almost red with a decent sized tan head that shows great retention. Smells of malty caramel and toffee with just enough earthy floral hops to make it a Sam Adams beer. The taste is a little sweet and a bit malty with a great Irish Red caramel feel to it. Spicy earthy hops provide some balance to the sweetness. Medium body with a moderate to spirited level of carbonation and a sweet malty mouthfeel. This is a nice Irish Red with a bit of a kick in the hops. I liked it a bit.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2012 00:48:20 | More by johnnnniee

Hojaminbag

Colorado

2.98/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

The body on brick red is what the name suggests: a very, deep dark red that is almost marroon, bordering on brown. A slight off-white head leaves one or two spots of lacing.

There is not a ton of any kind of aroma on this one, but what is there is a toffee like malt aroma.

The taste is more flavorful. Pretty much all big malts though. Lots of toffee and caramel with just a touch of hops that is barely noticeable.

This is a medium bodied, medium carbonated beer, which is fine. However, I would like it to better a little drier than it is, especially in the finish.

Fairly drinkable beer, pretty average overall.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2009 14:31:36 | More by Hojaminbag

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Union Ale House

Appearance: clear, red-brown in color, 1/4 inch head, medium carbonation

Smell: toasted malt and caramel

Taste: toasted malt, caramel, small citrus hops in the back

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation and body, nice balance between sweet and bitter

Drinkability: A hoppier Boston lager...A very good beer that I could sip all day. One of Sam Adams better offerings and one of the better I have had in the style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2010 13:39:35 | More by tigg924

argock

Virginia

3.13/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served on-tap in a clear pint glass at The Barking Crab (Boston, MA).

A: Deep garnet with 1-2 finger beige head with decent retention and a few spicules of lace.

S: Not a great aroma at with burnt caramel and an overly medicinal, buttery smell. Hops are not detectable at all.

T: Malty with burnt toffee and buttery tones with an abrupt herbal, woody hops finish which doesn't do this beer any favors.

M: Big body for the style with low carbonation to give it a nice creamy smoothness. Aftertaste is very nutty and woody.

D: Not SA's best effort by a long shot. Very malty but too much toasted flavor with an strange abrupt hops finish that adds up to a poorly cohesive brew.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2009 04:36:17 | More by argock

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Bella Luna/Milky Way 6/3
This beer pours a deep crystal clear red. When served, not much of a head, more like a slight film that was offwhite. Nice wispy lacing left along the glass. Nose is somewhat muted with most notably caramel malts present. Taste makes up for lack of scent. Very sweet, this beer is loaded with amber, caramel, and toffee malts, there was a touch of breadiness in the middle, and finished out for more sweet caramel malts. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium body, nice carbonation, crisp going down with a slightly sticky finish. I'm generally not a fan of Sam Adams brewery, but I've found a brew that is highly enjoyable and very drinkable!

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2009 13:24:44 | More by Jayli

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Received a deep red pint with a decent cream colored foamy head. Some decent lacing. Very very nice appearance.

Smell is a tough one -- BBQ restaurant smells interfere. Got some good herbal aroma, as well as some toasted malt and some boiled grain scents. Just ok.

Decent brew. Nice maltiness on the palate balanced with some firm bitterness and a bit of a dry husk edge. Some fruit, some hops, but nothing overpowering. Decent.

Decent body and good carbonation.

Overall, I could do better. Easy to drink, but kinda lacking any real punch to make me want an encore. Worth a try, but just that.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2009 14:57:45 | More by OtherShoe2

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark coppery red, "brick red," you could say. Small white head that dissolves into a steady skim.

Smells of light floral hops and rich, toasty malt. Tastes that way too: black forest cake toasty malt with a wet, fall fruit balance and noble hop back.

A great beer without being flashy. One of my favorites by SA and my session beer of choice at my local beer bar.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2009 00:24:11 | More by donkeyrunner

BeerSox

Virginia

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-Tap into pint glass.

Clear mahogany color wit a one finger tan head that settles to a thin cap. Light caramelized sugar with a strong toastiness. More toasty grain and caramel with a little dark fruit, which is slightly bitter, maybe the hops.

This was a very enjoyable Irish Red, not sure how close to the style it was but nevertheless very malty and smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2009 00:04:43 | More by BeerSox

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap in a plain pint glass at the Atlantic Beer Garden in South Boston, Mass.

A: Poured a bright, ruby, amber red color with a thin cap of creamy white foam which faded quickly but left a decent web of lace on my glass. Clarity is good and carbonation sparse.

S: Smells of toffee, weak tea and some herbal hop notes. There's a floral and fruity ale essence, but it presents as a bit more earthy and roasted.

T: Flavor is a medium sweet blend of roasted caramel malt, some earthy malt husk and light fruity ale flavors. There's some roasted nut quality as well, and the hops are of an herbal, drying variety. Flavor is not very strong or even that tasty, but pretty balanced at least.

M: Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with a clean, smooth malt body and some drying hops to balance out the residual malt sugars.

D: A so-so Irish red ale that gets more props as a Boston-native tap-only selection. The flavors and ABV are sessionable, but it's sort of a tough pair and not entirely interesting enough flavor-wise to keep going back to. Glad I tried it, so should you, and I might be inclined to get it again if nothing outshines it on the tap line. It's worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2010 05:45:53 | More by Gambrinus1184

david18

New York

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I saw this on draft at a number of bars in boston and had never seen it before. I wasn't even sure what type of beer it was. Irish Red makes sense. This was ok. As with all of Sam Adams' beers it was very solid and good. But, as with many of their beers, not altogether outstanding. Good amber/red color, nice carbonation, very drinkable. This is one of those beers that's always the most interesting choice among a small selection of marcros

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2010 22:07:52 | More by david18

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.23/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Pours a brick red, bordering on slightly brown. Virtually no head or lacing on it though.
S- Light caramel malts, a bit of sweetness, almost a honey character on the nose as well.
T- A bit of toasted grain at first, but then gets tremendously sweet, caramel and just a bit of earthy/woody notes in the finish.
M- Fuller body than most, much less carbonation than most in style.
O- Not all that impressive of a beer. Drinkable, but it's a bit of a disappointment considering how much I like most Sam Adams beers.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 21:22:31 | More by jsprain1

asabreed

New York

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a pint of this at the Green Dragon last weekend in Boston. After I asked the bartender what it was, he told me that Sam Adams decided to do a one-off for the brick bars on the street, or something like that. I know it's a one-off at least, so I had to try it.

Appearance: A copper-ruby combination, with an off-white head that sticks around the edges and that's it. Little retention.

Smell: Mild citrus hops and fruit esters. A bit of caramel. Balanced, but not a lot to be descerned.

Taste: A bit of caramel, earthiness, and fruit esters are going on mostly. Mild citrus on the back-end with the hops.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with crisp carbonation.

Drinkability: An above-average and drinkable red, but nothing more.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2010 22:16:14 | More by asabreed

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap only in the city of Boston (and Cambridge) for a limited time, so I have been trying to have a pint whenever I can. Had a pint on Saturday night at a bar on Boylston St. Served in a pint glass. Clear, bright red color. Minimal head, and good amount of carbonation. Smell was nothing special. Taste was good and different at the same time. Good in the sense that it had a nice balance of malt and hops, and different in that it didn't really taste like a Sam Adams. It was refreshing, but I would not have guessed SA. I think I like this one more than the Irish Red they've had out in the past. A nice one-off beer to serve to the locals.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2009 16:45:26 | More by morebeergood

Gehrig

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on tap at The Pour House on Boylston. Seeing this beer, only available in the Boston area, was more than enough to convince me to try it.

Two fat, luscious fingers of white froth top a clear, deep red body that leaves dense rings of white lace on the pint glass. Great presentation and appearance! Good aromas, with plenty of caramel and chocolate malt. Nice taste, subtly complex with chocolate, berry, and a distinct hoppy taste; really good.

Brick Red is a winner upon the mouthfeel--surprisingly hoppy and gritty; lots of texture and complexity. I am not sure what hops were used in this, but some of the "C's" come to mind, given the taste and texture--perhaps Chinook, Centennial, or Columbus. Regardless, very delicious and hoppy; better than I expected. Easy to down and easy to enjoy. Brick Red is a very good red, more hopped than one might expect and, as Sam Adams would likely produce, thoroughly delicious.

Certainly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 19:51:50 | More by Gehrig

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap into a pint glass.

The color is a deep red with an amber tint. Has some slight white foamy head, some nice lacing as well.

The smell is light, a mix of caramel and some roasted malts.

The taste is of roasted malt, somewhat like a good porter. Some strong caramel and brown sugar flavor. Is a bit creamy as well

This beer has a great feel to it, with a nice refreshing. crsip taste. It goes down easy and is pretty darn smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2009 18:55:09 | More by Duhast500

drseamus

New York

3.4/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

We were kicked out of the setup for the ACBF so we had to go get a beer. Given how awesome the Bros and Candice were, I'll forgive them.

A: Super clear red with a light tan head. Fairly unremarkable.

S: Malty aroma with no hint of hops.

T: Standard Irish red but with increased sweetness. Malty right up front with limited balancing bitterness.

M: Kind of thick and syrupy for the style, but not in a bad way.

D: Not bad but pretty standard.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2009 19:17:38 | More by drseamus

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.55/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had in the Boston area this past weekend, not exactly sure where.

A: Poured into a plastic cup, pours a reddish brown color with a small head that actually stayed for a few minutes before receding

S: Nice and malty with some backing hops. More on the dry side as well, not too sweet

T: Husky, toasted grains with a bittering hop presence. A little too much husk for me, almost reminded me of a cheap lager

M: Medium-full bodied with spot-on carbonation. Best part of the beer for me

O: Just an average irish red. I'd get it if you see it because of the limited aspect of it, but don't be disappointed if you're let down. Maybe it was the plastic cup for me, but who knows

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 16:47:39 | More by BEERMILER12