Stoudt's Scarlet Lady ESB - Stoudts Brewing Co.

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

3rd Stoudts beer of the night poured into my Sam Adams perfect pint.

A - Dark amber brown that's clear in color. Head is a bit opaque in color and I got a nice inch with some good sticky lacing.

S - Smells of malts and sweetness of caramel soaked breads and some herbal tea.

T - Wow I got less sweet than I expected. More grassy hops and dry herbal tea flavors. Finish is kind of dry as well. Not very sweet.

M - Light to medium but the dry factor makes this one hard to drink.

Overall I have had a few ESB's in my time but this is surely the driest one and less sweet than all the others. Still if you like iced tea without honey or sugar this dry ESB could be right up your alley. For me I will stick to their Pale ale or lagers.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 01:54:45 | More by DrDemento456

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

Morey

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle with "Best Before 12/22/11" stamped on the side of the bottle.

Pours an inviting reddish-bown color with good clarity. Cream colored head stood about one finger tall and has since settled to a thin lace. Moderate head retention.

Smell is very clean and malty with some grassy hops in there as well. Rather tame and mild aroma overall.

Super balanced beer here. Smooth and malty up front, and then you get a touch of bitterness towards the middle, with a slightly nutty finish.

Thin to medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

A good example of the style that leans more towards the true English examples than the hopped up American ESBs.

Morey's Bottom Line: A good fall beer IMO. Especially if you're burned out on Oktoberfest style beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 20:59:39 | More by Morey

Samp01

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle. Pours a dark reddish amber with a short lived tan head. Sweet caramel malt, some dark fruity notes and sweet tones of dates fill the nose. Taste is sweet caramel malts some sweet dates and dark fruits with some light hops. Palate is nice medium body with moderate carbonation. The finish sweet caramel malts with tones of dark fruits, and dates balanced by some late hoppiness in the ending. Overall a good drinkable ESB.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 19:59:05 | More by Samp01

Francepants06

Louisiana

3.48/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a red orange color beer with a small white head. Smells of wheat, malt, yeast. It tasted of slight citrus, bread, yeast, and other herbs (bay-leaf).
The mouthfeel is refreshing, light to medium bodied.
Overall a pretty good beer but like all the other stoudts I have had they still don't stay true to their styles. This is not a ESB tasting at all.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 02:59:33 | More by Francepants06

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A really, really, Really nice looking ale.
A ruby copper coloured ale here producing an unfortunate smallish white head. Alas! it's very quite nicely attenuated thus helping to maintain a rather dense and thick frothy surface layer.

There is a nice rich malt aroma and some ceral grains.

Balanced taste is well done here in this instance with a light earthy hop taste and mildly sweet malts.
Taste is sutle.

A quite nice medium mouthfee with a slighty dry finish and bitter aftertaste.

A good well tasting brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 20:04:05 | More by micromaniac129

VtBrew

Vermont

3.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance of whitehead rocky nice lacing head last minute plus. Copper brown color no hazes or particles.

Aroma sweet metalic aroma up front toasted and caramel notes. Citrus and earthy hop aroma.

Flavor mock up front hop bitterness in the finish. No not sure if bite is to do hops or c02.

Overall med to light body good drinkability finishes clean maybe over carbonate.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 15:54:21 | More by VtBrew

bpw28

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Look: Very small bleach white head, dark orange/light copper, decent lacing

Smell: Fresh red and green apple, yeasty, smooth light roast smell, pear, light floral, cherry, light caramel

Taste: Smooth but good body, amazingly tasty bready, lavander, light roasted, floral, less fruity then the nose but I get some peach and red apple, just enough hop backbone to round it out.

Final Thoughts: A nice little brew. My only complaint is the lack of head I got and the lacing, but its not bad. Just like a fine woman, this is a fine brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 16:03:51 | More by bpw28

jifigz

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Deep burnt red/brown color with a small head. This beer also has beautiful lacing sticking all over the glass. I love that.

S: I can't really smell much of anything from this beer. What I do smell is slightly burnt and caramel-like.

T: Nice light flavor profile. Initial taste is something like mildly sweetened iced tea with a slight burnt and toasted note. Everything seems very well proportioned and the bitterness is just the right amount to balance the malt.

M: Pretty average mouthfeel. Not thick and bold and certainly not watery. The carbonation does seem to be a little much and stinging to me though.

O: A nicely balanced beer that is easily drinkable and enjoyable. The flavors are pretty light and this should be an easy one for someone not all that "into beer" to enjoy and kind of broaden their horizons.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 01:38:37 | More by jifigz

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is the best offering I've had from Stoudt's thus far. This beer pours out as a crimson red color with a clear look to it. The head is fizzy and white but leaves a pretty good lacing. The smell of the beer is very inviting, lots of malts and a pretty good smelling hop aroma too. The taste of the beer is a little sweet with some caramel malts upfront that fade into a much more bitter aftertaste. The mouthfeel is crisp and sharp on the tongue. Overall I find this beer to be a very good one from Stout's, I haven't had another one since that has even come close. Worth a try in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 20:38:15 | More by Knapp85

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

Azurescens

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle with no bottled on or freshness date, poured into Hair of the Dog tulip, reviewed on 6/25/11.

A: Pours a clear reddish gold with tan head that leaves some lacing around glass.

S: Bready malt, some honey and herbal hops.

T: Bready malt with some hop bitterness, earthy yeast and some herbal notes.

M: Somewhat sharp, medium-light body with moderate carbonation, finishes dry.

O: Decent beer, not bad but far from spectacular. Easy drinking light beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2011 06:21:23 | More by Azurescens

ebby82

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

As promised by the name, it pours a light red into a pint glass with a nice two finger head.

The aroma is a nice burnt caramel with merely the suggestion of hops.

The taste is only a bit bitter. Mostly, the caramel flavors of the malt come through. A light hop presence in the aftertaste.

Very quaffable because of its tastiness and low Alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2011 16:55:03 | More by ebby82

Rootdog316

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Copper pour with reddish hues and a small head. Aroma is quite malt forward, with caramel and biscuit, along with touches of floral and perfume hops. Flavor is much the same, with malt continuing as the primary player. This strikes me as more of an amber or red ale, as opposed to an ESB. Not bad, but not great either.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2011 23:36:59 | More by Rootdog316

GSmithBeer

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The appearance is a rich amber with a decent had and really nice lacing. The smell is of caramel and a slight sweetness. The taste is really smooth. Smell follows taste and color. Not much more to say about it. The mouthfeel is good with nice carbonation. Overall, this is a really nice amber ESB. Very drinkable and tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2011 23:00:46 | More by GSmithBeer

champ103

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark ruby red (I guess you could say scarlet) color. A minimal, bubbly white head forms at first, but recedes to nothing with little lace.
S: Toasted malt, sweet caramel, light wood aromas. A little to simple and one dimensional.
T: Follows the nose. Mostly a caramel sweetness. Some bready malts and a light bitterness.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. A nice crisp body. Easy to drink. I will finish the six pack without a problem.

Not an ESB, but still decent. Nice, simple, and easy to drink. Not a lot to complain about. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 21:30:23 | More by champ103

socon67

New York

3.33/5  rDev -8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Pours copper with a tan head. Retention of foam is decent; no lacing.

S - Smells of caramel malt. Kinda sweet.

T - While this is well balanced the bitterness is muted. Not quite the hoppy bite of an ESB.

M - Very easy to drink multiples. Light bodied feel and gentle on the palate.

O - Not a bad beer at all. But I can't compare this to some of the really good ESB's (Propeller for example). Worth a try for the taste, but not recommended for those wanting a standard ESB.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 23:16:16 | More by socon67

dfillius

Michigan

3.1/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Aggressive pour yields 1/2 finger of light tan head with fair to poor retention - it just fizzles away. Clear dark amber-red liquid is pretty. Better head retention please. This beer is 11 months old, could be problems.
S: Caramel, banana. I expect more hops, but only the idea of them is apparent. Age probably
T: A tad like gluten free beer, though better. Caramel, thin grassy hops build. Decent, but not stellar.
M: Flat, slightly bitter
D: Decent, not stellar. Will try a fresher one. Not quite refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 22:32:14 | More by dfillius

devinoconnor

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brown ale color, with some darker undertones with a nice rich head.

Smells is nutty, like peanuts mixed with a subtle hops and a nice shot of barley. A little notion of citrus or orange as well.

Nice, easy drinking beer perfect for the spring or fall. Little heavy for summer.

Overall, average beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 16:09:56 | More by devinoconnor

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

plfahey

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle poured into a shaker pint.

Appearance-Medium brown with golden orange highlights.
Moderately clear. Modest off-white head with decent retention.

Aroma-Nutty, toasty malt with some green, earthy hop character.

Flavor-Toasted malt, with hints of nuts and breadcrusts. Moderate hop bitterness shows through in the finish, with very light earthy hop notes. Slightly stale, oxidized notes show in the finish as well, but this could just be an older bottle. Moderate sweetness up front dries out a bit, but not entirely. Slightly sour note in finish as well.

Mouthfeel-Medium light to medium body, with moderate, smooth carbonation.

Nothing earth-shattering here. I was not too impressed by this one. ESBs are supposed to be uber drinkable and yet still relatively complex, I think this one falls short in both regards.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 19:55:31 | More by plfahey

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours clear medium orange with a sticky off-white head. Some lace, bubbles rising.

Some tart notes mingling with toasted malt, some caramel, herbal hints.

The tart element is a bit like apple skin. Struggles between sour and bitter, but is more bitter as it warms. Finishes on the bitter side, but pleasant, like good brown toast. Some caramel. Not what I'd expect in ESB.

Medium bodied, good carbonation.

1 and done. It works but not true to style. Could not do a 6 of this. Didn't hate it, but I wanted something different.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 12:16:45 | More by OtherShoe2

metter98

New York

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: The beer is hazy light amber in color and poured with a finger high white head with no signs of visible carbonation. The beer has good head retention properties and left a thin layer of bubbles consistently covering the surface.
S: There are aromas of toasted and caramel malts in the nose along with some hints of citrus from the hops.
T: The taste is very similar to the smell and has some notes of sweetness and bitterness along with hints of fruit.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a slight amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is very easy to drink--nothing really interesting stands out in the taste but it's quite sessionable.

Serving type: cask

04-03-2011 12:35:54 | More by metter98

ZeroSignal

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into SA Perfect Pint

A - Clear chestnut brown to copperish pour with an inch or so off-white head, scant retention that settles to the edges with a loose lace.

S - Toasted malts with a bread crust quality

T&M - A malty brew for sure with a healthy and biscuity dose of toasted malts. Has a medium bodied and somewhat thick but smooth feel to it. Hints of caramel pop up every now and then, and the bitterness is lighter, but certainly present and enough to balance out the malts a bit. Low carbonation, as I think it should be. Mostly dry in the finish with just a bit of a woody flavor.

O - A very nice brew, with good balance and a whole lot of flavor for 5%. I'll revisit for sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2011 03:47:37 | More by ZeroSignal

kevinv

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass. No dating info noted on the bottle.

A - Pours a vibrant and translucent copper with a 1 finger off-white head. Sticky lacing is left on the glass.

S - The smell is a full malty aroma. Light grassy scents.

T - Grainy, light toffee, and a small hop presence. Very dry up front and on the finish. Moderate hop bitterness.

M - Light mouthfeel with a crisp carbonation.

D - Very "sessionable" beer. No presence of alcohol. Fairly simple beer, but an easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2011 01:23:18 | More by kevinv