Stoudt's Scarlet Lady ESB - Stoudts Brewing Co.

Borgs

Connecticut

1.93/5  rDev -46.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Appearance: Pours with a thin head that dissipates rather quickly, & a clear, shallow red color.

Smell: Smells caramelly, lightly toasty, & yeasty.

Taste: This beer is way more on the sweeter side than bitter. Extra Special Bitter?! I don't get it. It tastes like the brew wasn't finished.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied, chewy.

Drinkability: Maybe this should have sat longer to mellow out or it should have been in the fermentor a bit longer. I don't think I'll be giving this another shot.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2010 15:35:54 | More by Borgs

samie85

Illinois

2.15/5  rDev -40.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Best By 6/27/10. I'm a little worried going in as there was no hiss of carbonation escaping as I open the bottle.

A-Pours a dark brown with no head. I'm not sure what the deal is with the carbonation, but there doesn't appear to be any.

S-Smells of sweet toffee malt and caramel with some earthiness.

T-Caramel sweetness with a breadiness and a barely bitter finish.

M-Kind of terrible as there's no carbonation whatsoever. Thin side of medium bodied.

D-I was pretty excited as this was my first beer from Stoudts. I really like ESB's and was expecting good things, but the complete lack of carbonation is killing this beer for me. I'm hoping the other bottle I got of Stoudts is more impressive.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2010 00:38:46 | More by samie85

TheLongBeachBum

California

2.2/5  rDev -39.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Presentation: Standard 12 ounce bottle sealed with a black crown cap. The main label has colorful picture of a Scarlet Lady drinking ale from a horn. No strength listed but a Best Before 12/20/05 date is ink jet stenciled onto the top of the bottle neck.

Appearance: Dark copper, ruddy orange body, pellucid with a rising tan colored head that collapses quickly to leave a broken scum on the surface. Body is great in appearance but the lack of any head really destroys the presentation.

Nose: Toasted malts have a slight “baby sick” tone to them. Soiled aromas with some metallic flashes, smells like something awful from a Can. Urgh!!

Taste: I am still reeling from the off-putting aromas, but trying hard to differentiate the tastes as a stand alone mark. Sickly sweet roasted malts have caramel and soggy damp wet soiled hops. Rain sodden earth finishes with a plain toffee ending. Awful.

Mouthfeel: Sliding feel, chilled it seems reasonable, yet as it warms it morphs into a sickly mess. Sticky and cloying.

Drinkability: Off-putting, from the broken looks, I just “shit-my-pants” odors, the cheap Supermarket brand malty beverage flavors, and the sickly mouthfeel as it warms….this is one forgetful brew.

Overall: I will always try a new beer at least once, but I won’t be bothering with this one again.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2005 06:52:18 | More by TheLongBeachBum

Tilley4

Tennessee

2.42/5  rDev -33.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Picked up a single recently and poured into an Orval goblet to have with lunch today...

Pours a semi-hazy reddish orange with basically no head to speak of at all...

Perhaps a hint of toasted grains here but not much else... Hmmm.... No hops to speak of really...

A semi-sweet maltiness right up front which fades into.... Nothing? Very bland finish here has me wondering about the age on this one...

I probably need to revisit this one at some point as it wasn't at all impressive...

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2010 18:10:32 | More by Tilley4

Franz4

Ohio

2.5/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle best by 8/9/11, poured into a pint glass

A- penny copper in color with a 1 finger head that settles quickly leaving a bit of lace suspended above the thin ring left on the surface.

S- nose has some toffee like characteristics, some muted hoppiness is present, and a little buttery toast. Not bad, but nothing stood out in this area.

T- Lots of what I believe is diacetyl. I believe on a good day this might be going for "biscuity" or something similar, but this isn't what I'm getting. They've achieved some balance as there's a bitterness that is balancing the pale malt, but I'm not impressed.

M- light bodied and light in carbonation.

O- This one didn't do it for me, and I'd have to say it's a below average brew, maybe I'm just missing something from the style, but I wasn't pleased with this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2011 00:49:16 | More by Franz4

PDXHops

South Carolina

2.58/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Stoudts Scarlet Lady ESB

On tap in a shaker pint.

See-thru brownish amber body with a minimal off-white head that soon becomes a patchy skim of foam. A little bit of lacing.

Aromas are nutty and crisp, fruity and moderately sweet, with a hint of herbal hops. Not a bad-tasting brew, although I would love to see the hops kicked up a notch. Toasted malt and nuttiness dominate the flavor profile up front, with some sweetness and a small sting of bitterness sneaking in right at the finish.

Overall impression: Somewhat lacking in hop presence, but goes down easy.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2009 15:31:10 | More by PDXHops

chilidog

Ohio

2.6/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I had to step back from this ESB and wonder, is this a bitter at all? And according to the bottle its brewed in Fredrick, Maryland for this Pa. brewer. Whats up?
It pours a creamy copper amber with a slightly tan, well carbonated head that fades quick. Lace in spots at best. The aroma is malty sweet with hints of strawberry. The taste is sweet caramel, toffee with a thick over the top buttery toasted malt. I find little to no bitterness or hop to balance this beer. I find the drinkability hard for its just too sweet. My score--not inpressed by this Lady.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2004 19:26:02 | More by chilidog

Budro

Georgia

2.6/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

My mother-in-law sent me on a beer run. She was throwing a party for my father-in-law's 60th birthday. "Get something for yourself, too," she said. I admire Stoudt's Fat Dog quite a bit, but it's been months since I've spotted any of their brews in Valdosta. When I saw their label again, I knew what I wanted for myself.

A: A two-finger head the color of cinnamon cream sits atop an amber body with deep red hues and the clarity of glass.

S: The sweet, malty nose is muted, but some distinct aromas emerge, evoking buttery caramel and hints of clove.

T: Disappointing. The bracing bitter front quickly fades, along with most of the flavor. There's a faint taste of spiced fruits underneath; apple notes are dominant. The finish is pleasantly sour, but again, the flavor is faint. There are lots of interesting flavors, but all of them feel watered-down.

M: Despite its creamy appearance, the head feels thin on the palate. The brew itself is thin and watery, especially as it warms. The carbonation barely registers.

D: This beer would go well with spicy food. It's so light that you won't fill up on it, and it's so unobtrusive that it won't interfere with the flavors on the plate.

I won't seek this one out again. I'm happy to have had the opportunity to try another brew from Stoudt's, but I found this one weak. I prefer a bolder ESB.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2007 02:00:15 | More by Budro

thepitch

California

2.65/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I met the scarlett lady at the Stoudt's brewpub, and decided to take her home, based on apperances alone. She looked good (a nice coppery deep red) and clear, but the head was unmemorable.

She smelled clean, which I like, but without very much aroma at all. I guess it is better to have no smell than a bad one.

The scarlett lady's taste was completely inoffensive and almost non-existent. Her only redeeming quality was a faint and sweet aftertaste.

Let's just say I won't regret the one night stand, but I wouldn't take her home to mom.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2006 02:03:58 | More by thepitch

TheDoorman

New York

2.65/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Dark amber translucent appearance with a quickly dissipating head. Aroma is dosage of floral hops with a hint of malt sweetness. Nothing too special. Palate is rather unimpressive. Some malt sweetness in the middle and a little hop bitterness, but nothing stands out at all. Very basic. Mouthfeel is light, effervesant and watery. Just a very sub-par beer all around. Reminds me of a macro attempting to make a micro. I won't be back for another.

Disclaimer: This is not a style I am well versed in, and I typically drink fairly big beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2009 01:23:28 | More by TheDoorman

DaggerEyes

New York

2.7/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured out of a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Bottle was stamped with a "Best Before 7/8/06" marking.

Scarlet Lady lived up to her name and poured a scarlet hue with sublte accents of ruby. A thin head rose to the surface but quickly disappated.

Some what hoppy on the nose with some sweet malty undertones and subtle scents of rasberries.

Some what sweet on the tounge with a bit of a bitter after taste, the taste is a bit muted and monochromatic, but the rasberry characterisitcs present in the aroma cary through to the taste.

A bit thin at first, but bubbles up in your mouth and becomes a bit chewier.

Nothing really to write home about, after sampling this beer again I can say I'll probobly never drink it again...

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2006 00:59:27 | More by DaggerEyes

callmeclemens

New Jersey

2.7/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Order a bottle at a local bar and poured into a glass.

Upon pouring with no head, I checked the bottle for freshness date and none was present. Smelled very herbal slightly sweet with a hint of malt, and tasted mostly the same. Flavor was rather bland Herbals, malt and a hint of fruity bitterness, but not to much. As previously stated there was no head upon pouring, and no lacing whatsoever.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 15:46:09 | More by callmeclemens

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2.8/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours an amber color with an off white head that goes away quickly. Aromas a small sweet malt presence and a small peppery hop. It has a small bitterness, sweet malty, and a bit earthy taste. Very clean aftertaste, just a small sweet malt presence lingers. Easy to drink, kind of hoping for more bitterness, but it is nice.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2007 16:19:59 | More by OWSLEY069

WoodBrew

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This was my first beer from Stroudts, saw the name on the menu and I said "what the hell, I'm in Johnstown kickin it easy". The beer has a red tint to it, but it could also be the hugh from the red mahogany bar. Razor thin head leaves a lot to be determined. It certainly can be session ale if nothing else is available. Don't get me wrong it is far superior to standard lite beers, but not your major micro-brews....hey an oxy-moron right there!

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2011 23:56:58 | More by WoodBrew

jneiswender

Massachusetts

2.83/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured out of a 12 oz brown bottle into a pint glass.

Tan head the quickly dissolves. Brownish red gem color.

Nutty, toasted malt smell. Very little hop smell.

Very strong malt character. Just some hop bitterness thats left on the tongue.

Medium body. Fairly drinkable. Might not be the best ESB (weak on the hops).

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2007 22:23:04 | More by jneiswender

changeup45

Florida

2.83/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

This seems like a pretty weak ESB. Color is light brown, maybe some orange in there. Not much head or lacing. Sweet fruity aroma such as oranges or mango. This is an easy drinking beer with pretty good balance but it just seems a little bland. There's a fruity malt note with some faint bitter hops and a pretty clean finish but the whole thing just seems watered down a little. Overall it's OK but it's not a very good ESB.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2008 23:42:52 | More by changeup45

jcdiflorio

West Virginia

2.88/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

served into a nonic glass from a 12oz brown long neck bottle with a crimped cap.

Clear,vibrant red color,2" thick slightly off-white head.some wisps of tiny bubbles stringing together tightly knited.Good retention with a fair amount of laced curtians down the glass.

A good malty aroma with sweet carmell,toasty and nutty.A pleasing fruityness,a nice and complex aroma.

A light carmell taste,astringent,grassy,candied tastes,friuty,slighty sour finishes tart with some citrus rind. The taste was a bit of a let down after the nice aromas.

Medium body,grainy,some sourness. Goes down fairly easy, just nothing to really make me want to drink more

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2007 04:12:20 | More by jcdiflorio

silentjay

Massachusetts

2.93/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pours a nice ruby with little white head that leaves just a bit of lacing.

smells like an amber mixed with a bitter. some earthy hops give way to a lot of caramel malt.

taste is a bit metallic. some buttery bread and caramel dominate the palate. some english-style earthy hops back that up a bit, but stay in the background a bit too much.

mouthfeel is pretty thin with very low carbonation. not terribly bad for the style. leaves a bit of resin on the tongue as the hops try to present themselves a bit.

goes down ok. falls between styles, it seems. that is not necessarily a bad thing, but it seems to fail to create its own identity. nothing revolting, but also nothing drawing me back again.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2010 03:25:47 | More by silentjay

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at Casey's, Newtown Square, PA

A decent ESB. Poured into a pint glass, a clear amber color with orange-copper highlights, and small bubbly head that dissipated rather quickly. Light aroma of biscuity malts and resinous hops, some sugar sweetness. Lightly toasted bready malts in the taste, caramel and nuts, easy-going pine bitterness, and a somewhat acrid aftertaste. Not really too flavorful, but not necessarily bad. Light-medium mouthfeel and easily drinkable for a basic beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2011 15:11:50 | More by Rifugium

Mitchster

Michigan

2.95/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Sparkingly clear deep ruby red, forming a creamy light tan head with very good retention and average lacing. Carbonation is moderate. Very nice looking beer. The aroma is a pleasant mix of English and American hop varieties all balanced by a slight hint of caramel, green apple esters, sweet wet grain husk, and residual sugars. Mouthfeel is smooth and satisfying with a medium body. The taste is a recap of the above. The hops are herbaceous and I detect some musty cardboard in the middle with faint alcohols and mild fusels in the middle. The finish is very earthy and dirty and has an oxidized aftertaste.

This looks and smells nice, but it doesn't hold up in the flavor department. Ruddy and bland, it's not something I would care to have again. A less than average ESB, like something Miller/AB would have came up with.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2006 17:24:06 | More by Mitchster

geexploitation

Indiana

2.95/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours very dark, with a bit of coffee colors in the middle and red-amber tinges on the outsides of the liquid. No head. The aroma is very malty, with some buttery yeast notes, rye bread and earthy hops. The hops are a background component, though. On the palate, things are malty and one-dimensional, with a touch of slightly metallic hops sitting atop heavy, tea-ish malts. Mouthfeel is a tad flat and unlively. Overall, this is lackluster, with little to recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2007 03:29:52 | More by geexploitation

tempest

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Clark's Ale House

Nice dark orange and amber body with a creamy white head and decent retention. Looks great, but smell and taste are too light. Sweet ringwood aroma with a little hops, but faint. Similar taste is nice but very light. Its hard to pick out the hops at all. Mouthfeel is watery, but it is fairly drinkable.

Does Clark's just have an old keg here? What gives?

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2006 22:19:28 | More by tempest

BeaBeerWife

Michigan

2.98/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured nicely with a wonderful head, and the smell was a rich sweet wort malty flav, but that's mostly where it ended for me. Titled as an ESB, it reminded me more of a Märzen. The aftertaste was a killer for me, zingy which was awkwardly metallic at first, but ok after drinking it thru the duration.

2007 bottle. You'd think the hop shortages had already started after drinking this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2008 23:56:02 | More by BeaBeerWife

Zorro

California

3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

In the glass this is a clear red ale with an OK tan head, nothing at all special.

Smell is sweet with a lot of toasted grain aroma. Fruity and herbal scents I would normally expect from an ESB are missing.

Taste is sweet and toasted grains at the start. After a bit the hop bitterness appears. No real fruitiness here just a rather basic pale ale.

Mouthfeel is average.

A completely forgettable beer. This is a shame Stoudts makes many great beers but this isn't one of them.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2006 01:40:21 | More by Zorro

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a slightly hazed, reddish amber with blonde highlights. 1 finger of fluffy head dissipates slowly to a creamy topper. Good lacing and moderate carbonation. There is some black sediment that floats around in the glass that I really don't know what to make of.

N: Strong caramel aromas and a hint of floral (maybe grassy) hops.

T: Black tea, grapefruit and floral hops upfront followed by caramel malts, some grassiness and a hint of lemon. Finishes grassy and floral with a light bitterness.

M: Light bodied, crisp, clean and refreshing.

O: This beer sort of tastes like home brewed iced tea. This is a solid ESB but is nothing special. However it is very refreshing and would make for an easy session ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 19:22:22 | More by justintcoons