Off The Rails - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

SDtastentune

California

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

A - Darker amber/red, small head when poured faster but not much at all, some ok looking lacing but not much.

S - Smells kinda bread like, toffee and barley/malts. A little musty/barley, like when you walk in to brew day at a brewery.

T - Toffee and rich amber malts, has some sort of hop background but nothing too bitter or piny, Kinda has a red apple mixed in there or some other kinda fruit like that, but definitely not a fruity beer at any point. Maybe a slight smoke/wood/whiskey thing going on.

M - Higher carbonation ,small fizzy bubbles, easy up front leading into a aftertaste that's rich but not overpowering.

O - Overall... I was expecting a little more from this, more red and more alcohol taste would be good. But... I cant really say I can compare it to much else right now... good brew but nothing spectacular for a hop head. Getting better though as it warms up a little, as most brews start to shine when warmer.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 23:22:05 | More by SDtastentune

crvcac

California

4.7/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Red-amber in inn hue.. A great combination between sweet caramel malts and a heavy hop profile. A very smooth drinking beer without being cloyingly sweet. Finishes nice and smooth with some residual sweetness. I'd recommend trying this on tap. I have yet to seek out a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 21:14:08 | More by crvcac

BucannonXC5

California

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass at Karl Strauss Brewing Company in La Jolla, Calif. Color was red, semi-clear. White even bubble lacing. Long lasting cobweb, washy film on the sides.

Smelled caramel and toffee with some dark fruit, maybe cherry?

Tasted similar to the nose but can definitely taste the alcohol. Also caramel, toffee, Heath Bar and light chocolate.

Medium body. Average carbonation. Smooth, long lasting finish.

A pretty good beer overall. It was my first of the outing and I ended up sticking with it throughout the night.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2012 03:27:13 | More by BucannonXC5

sholland119

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at Yard House, 11/5/11.

A-Pour is a clear reddish amber with a frothy white head and good sheets of lacing.

S-Sweet caramel malt with some dried cherry notes.

T-Lots of sweet malt, some nice earthy hops.

M-Light side of medium, moderate carbonation.

O-Very tasty. Quite smooth for the ABV.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 14:45:03 | More by sholland119

notchucknorris

California

3.45/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark copper color with pretty much no head at all. Thin ring of tan foam on the top.

S: Tons of sweet malt with some hints of berries. I get blackberries and maybe some red currants.

T: Big and malty with some hints of berries and a lot of breadiness. Had no idea how strong it was until it was too late. Sneaky beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2012 08:42:47 | More by notchucknorris

timmos1

California

4.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at slaters in san Diego.

Like my favorite k.Strauss red trolley but more so. Malty goodness

Strong in abv but it's hidden well. Wish it were in bottle

wouldn't say malt bomb,but i prefer malt to hop so it's pretty good
light head smells great. Tasty great for dessert. Gotta have it when in san Diego..

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2012 05:56:22 | More by timmos1

ehammond1

California

3.48/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On Tap

Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Carlsbad, CA

Dark red and amber with a thin khaki colored head. This beer leaves the glass clean and a bit oily.

Very bready aroma with some significant caramel sweetness as well. Simple, pleasant enough, and very bready, though there's a bit of alcohol presence.

This tastes like toasted bread with a bit of caramel and toffee sweetness. Moderate bitterness. Simple, but a bit of alcohol heat hurts this beer's drinkability.

Medium bodied with ample carbonation, but a bit boozy.

An extremely bready red ale, and flavorful enough per the style, though nothing at all very good.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2011 02:56:17 | More by ehammond1

Eriktheipaman

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a dark amber with little white head.

The smell is malty as to be expected with a little more hops and alcohol coming through.

The taste is strange. At first I pick up a lot of that caramel malts I love in Red Trolly but as I drink on all I get is hops and alcohol. The finish is fairly dry which makes the alcohol and hops much more intense.

Overall I'm glad I tried it but this beer just isn't for me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2011 01:09:40 | More by Eriktheipaman

HopHead84

California

3.55/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

7/10/2011

On tap at URGE

A: Dark reddish amber with a small white head.

S: Caramel and pine with a little earth and citrus. The beer gives the impression of rich and complex malt.

T: Rich caramel malt with faint notes of raisin and plum. Moderate hop bitterness with orange, pine, and earth. Finishes with lingering caramel.

M: Medium body with lower moderate carbonation.

Overall: A solid Imperial Red.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 18:15:07 | More by HopHead84

srandycarter

California

3.78/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At the Main Tap in El Cajon.

A - Amber/ Dark Honey, very thin near white head.

S - Very, very light malt smell.

T - Very sweet, deep malt, clean finish as result of nice hop balancing.

M - Great balance, medium body, coating and perfectly carbed.

D - Sweet, but balanced well. Nice beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2010 17:18:53 | More by srandycarter

magictrokini

California

3.8/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured orange-red into a tulip glass with minimal head. Good lacing at the top. Fragrant citrus hops in the nose, lots of grapefruit, with an equal amount of caramel malt. Smells strong and alcholic. Slick mouthfell with lower carbonation and a long, sticky finish. Bitter hops up front, lots of resin, give way to sweeter citrus flavors. Grapefruit and blood orange flavors dominate, but there is a nice undercurrent of melon. This is all blended with the omnipresent caramel malt. Some dried fruits appear briefly, but infrequently. The beer is a bit rough around the edges in terms of drinkability, but overall is very pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2009 20:32:09 | More by magictrokini