Big Rock Warthog Ale - Big Rock Brewery

sAws

2.05/5  rDev -33.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Light Brown/Amber Color. Very Light color for a Brown Ale.

Smell was metal, sweet, minerals. Its a faint smell and not very appealing.

Taste was bland. Slight malt flavor maybe a little hops dryness but overall just very bland.

Mouthfeel was average with high carbonation.

Overall this is a dissapointing beer. I expected flavor and got a bland beer, not bad tasting just bland. Not sure how this one sells when Big Rocks Traditional Ale is a good Brown Ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 17:22:16 | More by sAws

BierStein711

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is a very bland beer

Four finger head, ruby red in color

Heavy carbonation

Smells: minerals, grain, and hops

Taste: malt, biscuity, toasty, hoppy, with a warming finish

Mouthfeel: moderate

Overall, this is a forgettable beer from a good brewery. Try the traditional ale.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2012 15:38:06 | More by BierStein711

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

2.85/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

355ml can poured into a pint glass.

A - Pours a maple-copper color with a small, soapy beige head with pretty good retention, but no lacing.

S - Aroma is mainly light malt with some sweetness. A touch of caramel malt and leafy hops just peak through. Strangely metallic.

T - Follows the nose closely, maybe a bit more toffee/caramel presence, but very little. A touch of hops lingers in the finish along with the aforementioned metallic feel.

M - Medium bodied with medium carbonation, although it's a touch fizzy. It definitely has a bit more body to it than I had expected, but nothing substantial.

D - Although this is a step above the average macro-lager, it's a far cry from a real craft brown ale. Just another Big Rock product that caters to the pseudo-craft beer audience and entry-level beer drinkers; and as much as that makes me sound like a snobby elitist, it's true.

Serving type: can

04-28-2012 02:06:39 | More by Converge

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2.85/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Light brown pour, tan head to it, small. Aroma wasn't really cream or anything, just some beeryness notes, malt, minimal hops that couldn't be distinguished.

Easy drinking brew, minimal malt heft to it, smoothness gives it a cream pedigree I guess. Pretty much a malt bomb, even though it isn't all that thick, and is relatively light bodied, there's just not much hopping (or anything else) to it. Maybe malt forward, not bomb. Toffee.

Didn't really pick up much sweetness or caramel, carbonation was what it should have been. Price was higher than it should have been ($7.49/6).

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 23:51:43 | More by Beerandraiderfan

evlu1441

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is my third Big Rock review. I have had this beer before, but I was too drunk to really remember what it was like (though I don't remember it being too unusual).

It pours a medium copper/amber colour. Held up to light it is quite clear, but seems a bit darker just sitting on the table. There is a little creamy head that settles down to a nice thin layer over the beer.

The aroma is quite sweet and smooth. It reminds me of an English "draught" ale-in-a-can-type beer. There is some light maltiness, and thankfully no adjuncty aroma. The sweetness is most prominent.

It is quite carbonated off the bat. The malt flavours slowly develop in the front of the mouth and mingle with the sweetness. The matliness becomes more prominent and rolls across the tongue leaving a slight hoppy bitterness.This is a very smooth beer.

Overall, I quite liked this! It would definitely be a great beer to have at a pub on tap or something like that.

Serving type: can

07-07-2011 23:34:29 | More by evlu1441

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

2.78/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I've seen Warthog everywhere but have never bothered to try it until now, usually just sticking with Big Rock Trad because I already know that's good. This came in a variety pack, so I finally have a chance (excuse?) to try it.

Pours a copper orange colour with a thin beige head that doesn't last very long. No lacing on the sides at all, and the remaining film on the surface isn't very creamy. The smell is hard to make out but it is definitely malty. So far I am not particularly impressed.

My first sip indicates some sweetness, heavy carbonation, followed by a little bit of caramel/toffee malts. Dry finish from the hops. Not fantastic, but suitable for a cream ale I suppose. Mouthfeel is watery and thin with a lot of bite from the CO2. I definitely wouldn't describe it as creamy. Very drinkable, but not very memorable.

The only thing that saves this beer from getting a very low (D-level) score is its taste, which is enjoyable, if not completely unmemorable. Of course, most people don't buy beer to sniff it or look at it, so the decent taste is enough to give it a decent score - and that's really the only adjective I can use to describe this beer: decent. It is forgettable and elicits a big fat 'meh' from me.

If you have never tried Warthog and are standing in a liquor store debating whether or not to get it... you probably shouldn't bother. I have been in this exact situation many times over the last 5 or 6 years, and it's nice to feel vindicated in my oft-repeated decision without having to actually purchase a 6-pack of it. If you do get it, you won't be disgusted of course, but you'll be left wondering if there wasn't something better you could have gotten. There almost certainly was.

Serving type: can

05-13-2011 16:25:09 | More by thehyperduck

spree92

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Copper ale that had a small head. Constant amount of carbonation rises to the top. Light malt/caramel and surprisingly, alcohol. 4.5% really shocked me. Not much happening on the taste front. A typical amber ale. I know they class it as cream, but reminds me of an amber. A good session beer and that is about it.

Serving type: can

04-10-2011 03:40:24 | More by spree92

marty21

Manitoba (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a deep orange/copper with one finger worth of white head. Settles to a thin cap but doesn't leave any lacing.

S: Grainy and malty aroma with faint hints of hops in the background.

T: Sweet grainy taste. The taste is a bit thin.

M: Medium carbonation with a light body.

D: I felt this beer was a bit thin on the mouthfeel and taste. It's a bit different then other Big Rock beers but it's not necessarily better then most.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 20:38:32 | More by marty21

CrazyMike

Alberta (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark amber appearance with minimal head. Smell is caramel and nutty but hard to pick up.

Taste is sweet and buttery, picked up some malt and caramel/toffee as well but overall it light. Light bodies with high carbonation. Aftertaste is bitter and dry.

Overall, this is light beer that try's to be dark. Has a few good features but just ends up being watery. Not the best from big rock, but not bad if your looking for something below 5%.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2011 06:26:53 | More by CrazyMike

decimator

Ontario (Canada)

3.03/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

355ml can poured into a mug.

A - Poured a clear gold-amber with a 2cm cream head. Head reduce to a very thin bubbly cap. Not much lacing is produced.

S - Caramel, butter and a some hops in the background.

T - Light caramel taste with and a very mild bitter finish.

M - A little creamy upfront and then it's pretty bland.

D - It's drinkable but I prefer Big Rock's Traditional Ale over this.

Serving type: can

07-18-2010 01:03:19 | More by decimator

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

2.8/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours a nice copper brown with a solid thumb of bubbly head. Head dissipates relatively quickly leaving a little lacing.

S - Scent is rather metallic with a bit of a toffee scent present. A nice balance of hops and malt, with a slight nutty scent.

T - The metallic scent comes through strong on the first taste, but finishes with a sweet toffee malt taste. Pretty mild overall, and the metallic flavour is a little too strong for my liking.

M - Pretty smooth, not too thick. Doesn't overwhelm the palette at all, making for a nice crisp feeling.

D - Not too bad. Is a good beer if you're looking for something with a bit of flavour, but is pretty light and refreshing. The metallic flavour kind of turns me off, but that seems to be consistent with many of the cream ales I've tried, so I guess it comes with the territory!

Serving type: can

04-25-2010 03:30:32 | More by andrenaline

mintjellie

Ontario (Canada)

2.98/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Brilliant copper with a fingers worth of poorly retained off-white head. No lace. Grainy aroma shows subtle notes of caramel and apple. Grainy flavour hints at toasted bread. Theres some apple and little bit of butter. Some lingering sweetness. Light bodied with medium carbonation. It feels watery and sharp. Inoffensive and thirst quenching.

Serving type: can

03-15-2010 03:18:01 | More by mintjellie

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I CAN thank my lucky stars for good notes.

Yet another two fingers' of French Vanilla-colored head with excellent retention. Color was a deep amber with NE-quality clarity. Nose was slightly sweet, but otherwise unremarkable. Mouthfeel was medium to full with a solid caramel sweetness on the tongue. Finish had that same caramel sweetness. Not bad, but I prefer hops.

Serving type: can

12-24-2009 21:22:27 | More by woodychandler

barleywort

Ontario (Canada)

2.85/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance: pours a nice, truly golden stream and is a pure amber in strength. Head was abundant but dissipated quickly and no lace to speak of.

Smell: Faint scents of carmelized sugar, but nothing more. Pleasant aroma, but insubstantial.

Taste: Here, I will do my best to avoid making comments on taste that may be attributable to the can (real or perceived). No discernable hops flavour (not inconsistent with style) but there is a biscuity malt flavour, not sweet, that lingers for a little while. Personally, I find it lacking in the taste department and not a style paradigm.

Mouthfeel: Thin but surprisingly not crisp (which in my experience, is uncharacteristic of style) as expected. Also not as highly carbonated as would be expected.

Drinkability: I didn't find it "refreshing" in the typical sense of the word, but it is relatively easy to drink. If nose and taste had been more rewarding, I would have considered this a "sessionable" beer.

DISCLAIMER: I am contra canned beer when it comes to that age old debate. I tried my best to have an objective and impartial mind when reviewing this beer, but the fact of the matter is that I believe (stress on it being a matter of opinion) that the can may have had an adverse impact on this beer. I'm leaving my review as is, but if I ever have the opportunity to try it on tap or from a bottle, I will take another look at this review.

Serving type: can

11-09-2009 00:15:41 | More by barleywort

TheHammer

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The fourth of five in the Big Rock mix pack I got from my bud a while ago.

Appearance: Nice pour with a solid thumb of head that did not lace and just barely retained. The body is a light amber color that boasts exceptional clarity and carbonation.

Smell: A nice buttery malt dominates the nose with the barest hints of sweet caramel. Not very diverse but has a very simple appeal. Didn't take much in the way of warming to come out either.

Taste: All in all, it's pretty much an average ale. Sweet buttery malts dominate the taste until a small touch of generic hops finishes off the beer. I should note, it seems to have avoided the odd funky flavor that other Big Rock brews seem to have suffered with.

Mouthfeel: A simple drinking beer that goes down very smoothly, not very much to transition to, but what it does it does well enough. No aftertaste to speak of although it does leave a little bit of a filmy taste in the mouth.

Drinkability: It's pretty good, as it goes down very smoothly as a cream ale should. Fairly refreshing to drink as well, and doesn't have any gas issues. Maybe a little touch too heavy on the gut, but it's a minor complaint.

Final Thoughts: This is the best beer I've gotten out of Big Rock thus far. Warthog is just a simple, easy drinking ale which you wouldn't expect given the name. Thumbs up for the most part, nothing here is going to wow you, but if you are looking to get back to basics, this beer is for you.

Serving type: can

10-15-2009 18:30:27 | More by TheHammer

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

341ml bottle poured into 400ml dab glass sept26 2009

A crystal clear honey amber with a two finger head that falls quite fast and leaves some lace where the head existed for its 40 seconds of life

S sweet malts and some mild hops

T even sweeter then it smells with caramel and toffee becoming more noticeable

M a little creamy but it seems too bubble up a bit too much, almost like I'm drinking air

D overall there's nothing offensive but nothing that sticks out as great either

This isn't a bad beer, however the ale Big Rock brews for the Calgary co-op liquor chain is half the price and similar in quality

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 07:14:58 | More by wordemupg

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An old favorite that I haven't had in years, available on tap now at one of my smaller go-to beer hideaways...

This pint appears a clear medium amber colour, with a finger or so of soapy white head, which leaves some spotty lace as it recedes. It smells of bready malt, and mild earthy hops. The taste is more of the breadiness, sweet in the Big Rock manner, and some very tame floral hops. The carbonation is quite soft, the body smooth and light, and it finishes off-dry, some light caramel malt lingering.

It's just as I remember it - an easy-drinking, not overly complicated (re: plain) ale. Now if only they still had 5 cent hot wings as well...

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2009 00:08:59 | More by biboergosum

DoctorStrangiato

Alberta (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 355-ml can into a pint glass.

Appearance - copper-gold brew with thin, disappearing head. Some ultra-fine surface bubbles and a 1/16th-inch ring of lace. Very active carbonation, looks like a super-highway in there.

Smell - cozy, creamy sweet malt aromas, gently roasted barley and a whiff of toffee.

Taste - this is a beer that looks good and smells great but it comes up short on taste. The taste that's there is too thin, while the late, plain, tinny hoppiness really only serves as a transition to a wet, watery finish.

Mouthfeel - very active but even, the dynamic of the watery finish is boring and unsatisfying to what could have been the thicker, heartier effect I had anticipated from the aromas before sipping on it.

Drinkability - this goes down, well, like water. Not engaging enough to have quite a few, but it's still easy to put a couple back.

Serving type: can

08-24-2009 02:01:20 | More by DoctorStrangiato

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

A- Upon pourning, I was impressed with the coloring, which is orange/reddish/brown. This was the only thing I really liked about it, as there was virtually no head, and what did appear quickly fizzes out to a very thin ring around the glass. There is also no lacing to speak of. The name of the beer and labeling is quite unique and I like that so this area receives moderate marks.

S- The aromas are quite light, which I guess should be expected with this style. There is a dominant malt smell, with toffee and molasses notes. I also detected a faint undernote of bananas, which I enjoyed. Still lots to smell here as opposed to the lagers that this is made to compete against.

T- Lots of assertive malts here, and other than the aforementioned toffee and molasses notes, there isn't much else here to describe. The finish lends a mild hop bitterness, that doesn't really hang around on the palate. Rather a simple tasting ale, but it's not bad!

M- This is rather light, which I'm not used to in an ale. It is however refreshing, with the heavier carbonation and the flavors just kind of roll through the palate and then are gone.

D- I gave this area full marks, b/c this is meant to be a competitor to a lager, but with a little more and I think that it does the job. I'd be perfectly happy to enjoy this particular beer throughout an evening with friends and think it's a nice crisp ale. Would do the job after a hard days work and could even make a nice after dinner beer, with the sweeter flavors.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2008 22:24:16 | More by ChrisCage

cyrenaica

Ontario (Canada)

2.15/5  rDev -30.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

341ml bottle
4.5% ABV
I tried this beer on January 31, 2008 at "Smokeless Joe's" in Toronto. The beer poured a reddish-brown colour with a thin whitish head. The aroma was stale malt with a little bit of hops. The mouthfeel was medium-thin with high carbonation. The taste was grainy with no detectabe hops or malt.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2008 02:30:55 | More by cyrenaica

Graham5161986

British Columbia (Canada)

2.28/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: pours a clear, orange brown with almost no head and leaves no lacing.

S: slight grassy hops, lots of sugary malts, a touch of honey and some corn.

T: honey-cream sweetness and a very slight bit of hops. way too sweet.

M: light and creamy but with an oily, cloying finish.

D: Hmm, not very good. The sweetness makes it quite undrinkable and the flavours are typical macro. I will not buy this beer again.

Serving type: can

04-18-2008 03:18:59 | More by Graham5161986

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This is a beer that almost makes it happen but falls apart on the finish. A kinda mix of a Brit mild and a cream ale this is a drinkable beer alright but say unlike the much missed Shaftebury Cream ale this has little to hang its hat on after a few sips. There is some malt and caramel but really the beer is forgotten soon afterwards.

Serving type: can

04-10-2008 23:36:30 | More by canucklehead

GrimmReaper

British Columbia (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This one came in a variety winter pack,pours a golden bronze color with nice orangey hilites,small tan creamy bubbly head that dissipates fairly quickly and little to no lacing.Smell is faint grains and a hint of caramel and some metallic coming thru.Taste is lite caramel with hints of fruits going down rather watery and mild bitterness at the very end.Easy to consume,not bad for a wintery nite,would also be good ice cold on a hot summery day,definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2008 23:58:07 | More by GrimmReaper

elricorico

Alberta (Canada)

2.73/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep orange to light brown in colour with a two finger white head. The head fades to a thin cap, but leaves plenty of even lacing around the glass.

Faint faint toffee like malt and a bit of flowery aroma in the nose. Not an entirely pleasing mix, but not offensive either.

I have a hard time describing the flavours in this beer. Nothing really stands out. Malt profile seems to be faintly caramel like, while the finish is just a bit herbal or medicinal. Really a light flavoured beer that has a hard time holding my attention.

Carbonation on the lower side, while the body is slightly fuller. The mouthfeel would be more than adequate to carry a better flavour.

Despite lacking in the flavour department, this is a drinkable beer. Just rather bland.

Serving type: can

04-24-2007 02:42:41 | More by elricorico

Shadman

Alberta (Canada)

2.3/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

found this is a singles bin...becoming spooked by a lot of Big Rock's products as my sampling of other beers increases.

Certainly darker than I expected, brownish amber in color with a slightly-off white head that showed decent retention and lacing.

smell- there it is! that over-sweet Big Rock Malt although this is more muted than in some of their beers. No hop aroma to speak of.

Tasted sweet - what a surprise! Noticed a hint of bitter hop toward the end. Pretty bland stuff.

mouthfeel was slightly creamy and the carbonation certainly wasn't over-done.

another way-to-sweet offering from Big Rock. I'm glad it was only a single,

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2007 17:26:42 | More by Shadman