Tavern Ale - Fordham Brewing Company

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle > Lagunitas Mason Jar

A - Pours a murky rust color, very thing head, but lacing is decent. A little yeas floating around in there.
S - Huge malt attack! Sweet malty aromas front of the nose, but followed by really grassy and earthy hop scents, kinda smells like a home brew.
T - Same as the aroma, malt blend up front coming at the end with the bitter hops, pine, a little mint.
M - Good feel to this beer, nice aftertaste, not too clingy from all the malts in this.
O - Solid effort by Fordham, a great malted up APA, that is full of good flavor, would love to revisit this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 19:43:42 | More by Omnium

mooseisloose

Florida

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of the BOTMC package that arrives at the doorstep. Popping the top I get a malty red licorice smell with any hopping seemingly over powered. Anticipate a nice malt bomb. Pours to a barely translucent bright orange with a thin tan head that quickly disapates. Upon tasting, I am first hit with a nice heavy yet almost micro-carbonated mouthfeel. The taste then starts with some molasses and lots of caramel transitioning to black licorice, all the while accompanied by a funky yet intriguing bitterness that carries throughout and becomes chaulky in the finish. This brew was definitely hopped big early in brewing and it carried through well. A good brew that flirts between an ESB and a brown ale and has good bang for the buck.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 20:59:58 | More by mooseisloose

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Tavern Ale
Fordham Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
ABV: 6.10 %

Pours a clear copper color, with a solid amount of head that recedes a bit but does not disappear. Aroma of citrus, herb and floral elements. In the taste, mild orange citrus, pine and earthy notes but manages to stay light on the palate and let the hop flavor shine. There is a caramel like malt body with some brown sugar and nutty hints. On the light side of medium bodied but well carbonated. Overall, a nice brew, definitely could pass as a session beer with alittle less ABV behind it. Beer tasters have commented on the firm hoppyness and agreeable flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 13:57:30 | More by Stinkypuss

Chaney

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a SN "Celebration Ale" shaker pint.

A: Poured an extremely dense, murky orange color, with about a finger or so off white head that stuck to the glass and then some as the liquid was siphoned.

S: Lots of fresh citrus (orange notes) as well as some apricot. Really nice so far.

T: I actually really dig the taste of this one. My only minor quibble would be to make this just a touch sweeter, but leave the bitter finish as is.

M: Very full, well carbonated, bitter, but not too. The lacing was car wash stuff.

O: This was a pleasant surprise for sure. I'd love to try this on tap sometime!

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 23:15:10 | More by Chaney

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A hazy orange amber colored ale with a fading small white head. lots of sediment here with light carbonation. Aroma of light hops and malt, basic. A desent taste with some citrusy hops and caramel malts. A slightly toasted malt taste at the back end. On the palette it's thin and with some astingency. An okay beer, although i wouldn't rush out for another one.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 13:28:17 | More by micromaniac129

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.03/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Discovered a mixed 12 pack from this brewery at a liquor store near the DFH Pub. Reminiscent of the run-of-the-mill, throw-in American Pale Ale in most mixed packs, this one doesn't do too much to stand out from the crowd. Decent hop bitterness, a decent malt back to it (moreso than the average APA), average mouthfeel an clean finish. Not bad by any means.. but I'd be hard pressed to pick this one out again over the 100 other options.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 02:35:36 | More by marlinsfan4

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

2.83/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark copper/red body, topped by two fingers of level bubbly off-white foam. Good lacing. Its not pretty as a peacock, but its good looking enough.

Aroma is a mix of light grapefruit and fresh bread. Pleasant, not strong, but not requiring much work either.

Big fat dollop of malt sweetness hits the tongue first. Fleeting fruit. Bitter snap at swallow. Needs a lot more fruit and a lot less bitter for a good session apa.

Acceptable medium mouthfeel.

Overall, an okay pale ale, but not special enough to seek out on in a crowded beer store.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 22:43:07 | More by RonfromJersey

JustinAniello

Connecticut

3.33/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Opaque copper with a finger of head. Lacing sticks nicely to the sides as it dissipates.

S - Citrus from the hops is most of the aroma with some malt taking up the back.

T - Definitely follows what the smell is. Starts out bitter and continues after swallowing. Still can taste the bitterness a good five minutes later.

M - Light with a good amount of carbonation.

O - Decent, but I wish it offered something more in flavor than the hops. Not bad when in the mood, but certainly not landing on my regular list.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 01:22:17 | More by JustinAniello

Jammies

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a golden orange with an inch of foam. Great retention

S- Mild and hoppy. A grassy odor. sLightly sour smelling

T- grassy and slightly bitter. The bitterness lingers

M- smooth. the hops attack bus dissipate

O- From the get go this beer looked delicious. A little too bitter for me, but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 16:20:00 | More by Jammies

bubseymour

Maryland

3.38/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - not a very pleasant looking beer. Like Murky iced tea. Did have a slight retention of head.

Smell- some hop presence and some spice

Taste - very ho hum APA. Some mild hop bitterness with pine notes but lacking in positive flavors.

mouthfeel - decent for an APA

Overall - Not the best APA but its ok. Not too bitter so its somewhat easy to drink for the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 00:17:59 | More by bubseymour

birdman200

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an orange-ish copper hued color with a 1 finger head, revealing a thin layer of foam left behind. Floral notes and grapefruit in the nose, with a bitter hoppy start and an easy end in the sip. Slight chewiness. Super clean and crisp, very refreshing. Great session beer, lacking in a body a little bit, and the flavor was not as intense as I seek out in an APA. Nonetheless, great beer, super sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 03:05:30 | More by birdman200

emerge077

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks Fred (I think) for sharing this!
Bottle dated 3/23/11. Review from written notes.

Into a small tulip it pours a high-clarity orangeish amber. A fluffy cap of off white foam follows. Slow trails of carbonation are visible. Retention is pretty good as the head lasts for a bit.

Mellow aroma of subdued hops, mild citrus and herbal notes.

Soft easygoing feel, mellow toasted malt and some herbal notes but not all that bitter. Light carbonation with a generally mild taste. Would have pegged this as an English pale due to the mellowness. Overall not bad but sort of average. Likely better as fresh as possible, this was about 2 months old.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2011 01:28:55 | More by emerge077

Kitt

Delaware

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a rich and pleasant golen-red color with a two-finger frothy head that won't let up.

Aroma a pleasing and heavy malty-fruit. Again, very pleasant.

Flavor doesn't quite do the apparance and aroma justice, but still quite good. Very bitter but hop flavor is not overwhelming. I'm picking up a nice eclectic hop tone that has a piney burnt tease. Malts are prevalent as well but only a hint of that fruity influence identified in the aroma. Interesting combinations here that work in concert.

Mouthfeel is smooth but surprisingly watered down -- I would expect a heavier foundation considering the strong hops and malt taste.

Drinkability is good, strong carbonation with an alcohol presence. Watered mouthfeel results in a beer that goes down quick.

This won't be among my top favorite APAs but I'll tell you -- the flavor is quite unique and unusual so I imagine I'll try this one again. However, I could see this one growing on me. I'm betting that tracking down the draft would be well worth it to amplify the hoppy kick.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 00:54:11 | More by Kitt

Brent

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A solid entry in the APA category. Poured a slightly hazy amber/gold. Hopping was well moderated, but I did not single out any particular hops variety. There was the barest hint of orchard fruit toward the finish. Well balanced - this is one that keeps interest throughout.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2010 13:17:35 | More by Brent

bamadog

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review is from notes taken on 1/30/2010 and poured from the bottle to the pint glass.

Appearance: Pour is a ruddy copper color with some slight ruby highlights; starts with a solid one finger off-white head that has moderate retention and eventually fades to a full and uneven skim; body is pretty clear and shows strong carbonation; spotty and stringy washes of lacing are left on the sides of the glass.

Smell: Nose is a little weak, but there are some light citric hops and a slight graininess to the nose.

Taste: Quite solid and enjoyable -- nice citric hops abound but don't dominate; well-balanced with a fine malt presence that doesn't come across as overly sweet; a light toasty graininess hides in the mouth and adds just a little bit to the bitterness as well; not an overly complex tasting beer, but a very fine drinking APA.

Mouthfeel: A fairly moderate body that is crisp and refreshing; leaves a minimal, yet moist, stickiness on the roof of the mouth; carbonation is just about right and keeps the drink alive without being sharp.

Drinkability: An easy drinking beer with great flavor and balance; not too heavy and the ABV isn't going to kick your ass or anything.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 00:59:40 | More by bamadog

thekanna

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark copper with medium body and less than 1 finger of white head that dissipates slowly and leaves large rings down the side.

S: Strong hops! Nicely floral with some citrus fruits, jackfruit, longans, lychees, and a nice creaminess hovering in the background.

T: Pleasantly hoppy and bitter with a nice balance of malts and medicinal hops. Finishes with a bite and some phenols.

M: Nice juicy medium body with a good amount of active carbonation that livens up the palate.

D: Refreshing, drinkable brew from Fordham. I'm glad that good beers like these are locally brewed.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2009 04:06:16 | More by thekanna

mentor

Colorado

3.28/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Pours a thin layer of light tan head that settles over a nearly clear red amber liquid. Smells potent woody and piney american hops. Some red ale maltiness and iron.

Tastes hop flavor dominating over hop bitter and little malt flavor. Malt sweet is present, but non-distinct. Hop flavors are pine, oranges, and mild lemon. Hop bitter has some rough edge, which appears apmlified due to the strong carbonation and just detectable alcohol. Malt flavor is lightly of caramel. Some creaminess in the mouthfeel is nice, but the carbonation is too sharp and a bit acrid. Fairly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 05:08:50 | More by mentor

thain709

Pennsylvania

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

A - An amber body which I was not expecting from an APA...a creamy off white head that retains nicely...good lacing

S - A balanced nose...but muted...sweetness from the caramel malts and some piney hops

T - The flavor is well balanced and a little more pronounce than what the nose would suggest...a great battle between the sweetness of the caramel malts and the piney (sometimes grapefruit) hops...the malts really take away any lasting bitterness

M - Medium bodied...creamy with no bitterness

D - This is a very drinkable beer weighing in at 5.5% ABV and being well balanced...I'm glad I tried this when I was in Maryland and might have to try other offerings from Fordham

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2009 12:48:05 | More by thain709

mempath

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

pours a thick toffee head, settles fast, ok lacing...smell is a sour caramel that is interesting...wish it was more complex...taste is again not as expected with some sweetness, tiny hint of hops and a sourness (and some metallicness...). average creaminess, seems both thin and heavy. quite drinkable, but begs to be paired with food for increased drinability.

interesting, but not massively impressive.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2009 18:24:09 | More by mempath

djeffbee

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- A deep amber color, with a one finger white head which dissipated fairly quickly.

S- Bready, sweet caramel malts, citrus aroma (cascade?).

T- Sweet upfront, followed by a nice, lasting bitterness, hoppy, and balanced. Drinking it slow really allows the full taste to come out.

M- Carbonation is perfect, everything lines up for this one. The lasting bitterness is nice.

D- A local gem and super drinkable at 5.5 with a great taste. This one is excellent. I am not experienced with Fordham quite yet, but this will be in the fridge for the next party.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2008 19:16:04 | More by djeffbee

praufs01

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Hazy amber with a frothy off white head.

Aroma - Light caramel and toffee smell.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied brew with light carbonation.

Taste - Roasted malts and sweet caramel with a smooth finish.

Overall - Smooth brew. Has a nice light and refreshing flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2008 01:51:01 | More by praufs01

deereless

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Cherry ice tea color, limited head - 3.50, S: Thick bready fruit, like fruitcake dough, touch of spices - 4.00, T: Some bite to this beer, a little piney undertones, but the malt is what really comes through - 4.00, M: 4.00, D: A pleasant beer, quite drinkable - 3.75

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2008 01:03:01 | More by deereless

philbe311

Pennsylvania

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

A - Bronzish cooper with an orange hue... Lively carbonation... Head quickly fades, but leaves an appealing lace... Coats the glass well for an APA...

S - Malt and hints of faint citrus fruit... Terrific aroma, but slightly too muted...

T - Citrus and malt as expected... The hops come through on the back of the tongue... Excellent transition from citrus -> malt -> hops -> malt... Subtle complexity but very classy...

M - Medium bodied... Slight carbonation on initial sip... Creamy and smooth...

D - Very drinkable... Goes down smooth and easy... I wish it were slightly more aggressive in both scent and taste... It's good and has excellent qualities, but it's slightly too understated for my liking...

Bottle / Artwork - An odd looking bird takes center stage with a sailboat and lighthouse in the back fround... Kind of an odd bottle that doesn't really catch the eye, though I love the font used for "Fordham" from and center on the lable...

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2008 23:52:27 | More by philbe311

USCTrojanBrian

Maryland

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

12 oz bottle, now brewed in Delaware

For an American pale it has a sort of more caramel-y darker color. Strong aroma, a general bitterness that's obviously from the hops but not all that hoppy either if that makes sense.

Tastes more like an East coast of European pale, but with the strength of a West coast pale. An odd sweetness mixed in there, defined aftertaste. Nothing fancy but distinctive, which I like. Difficult to classify how this tastes. Enjoyable, not quite a favorite and curious how this would be on tap.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2008 23:16:15 | More by USCTrojanBrian

tugdriver7

Maryland

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy orange in the glass with a nice tan head that disappeared quickly, but laced nicely. Soft carbonation. Initial impression was fairly malty in the nose with just a hint of something (fruity hops?). The taste was much more malt at first and then slowly a fruity hops taste comes through. As the glass warms, the hops flavor gets stronger, but not in a spicy "accent" way, but more fruity--almost sour. It was good, but not as good as some APAs out there. But around here Fordham is fresh, so that makes it great to buy (either on tap or in the bottle). Well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2008 01:14:28 | More by tugdriver7