Red Trolley Ale - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

BeerManDan

California

4.03/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The color was an amber when poured. The aromoa was of a mild roasted malts and hop's, with a hint of sweet spices and candy. The taste of lightly roasted malts and hops along with a hint of caramel was evident on the palate. Nicely balanced and a pleasant surprise. Not tart, but, a nice long pleaant finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 01:17:41 | More by BeerManDan

blguillen

California

4/5  rDev +14%

06-17-2013 02:26:21 | More by blguillen

largadeer

Kentucky

3/5  rDev -14.5%

06-07-2013 19:55:47 | More by largadeer

bh123

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

06-04-2013 04:47:36 | More by bh123

JMM0414

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

05-30-2013 14:11:30 | More by JMM0414

pin

Australia

3/5  rDev -14.5%

05-27-2013 03:26:07 | More by pin

ClayO

Arizona

4.25/5  rDev +21.1%

05-19-2013 22:34:10 | More by ClayO

gshak

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +6.8%

05-15-2013 13:17:39 | More by gshak

NickyG213

Arizona

4.25/5  rDev +21.1%

05-15-2013 05:37:47 | More by NickyG213

DrewShalvoy

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

05-13-2013 17:36:49 | More by DrewShalvoy

sunny289

California

4/5  rDev +14%

05-02-2013 17:30:40 | More by sunny289

Braz

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%

04-24-2013 19:06:56 | More by Braz

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.84/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Having tried a couple of Karl Strauss special release brews in California, I thought I'd check out some of their regular range that are now making their way to Australia. Purchased from Dan Murphy's in Alexandria.

Pours a lovely deep, slightly bronzed red colour, which matches the colour on the label rather nicely. Head forms a solid fine crest of beige, and settles out to a decent persistent ring. Carbonation is fine, and there's some weight behind the body. It's nice.

Nose is quite grainy, with a thin toffee sweetness backing it up. Some leafy-sweet and slightly earthy hops behind it, especially when the beer is swirled, and a marmalade sweet-citrus note. I'm actually liking it more as it goes along, and it makes a pleasant departure from the hopped up red I was expecting.

Taste is similarly less hoppy than expected, with more grainy notes and a light body. But there's subtle complexities here. The grain has a wholesome character to it, digestive biscuits and whole grains, mingling with some marzipan, a little honeyed sweetness and some pleasantly biting ester characters on the back: it might just be the hint of extra booze, but it provides a bit of a cut on the finish which is nice.

Feel is light, but solid enough.

Overall, this is pretty drinkable stuff. Once I got over the lack of hops, and realised that this was a very determined choice, it was clear that this was a pretty well-crafted brew. Though the flavours might be subtle, they're there to be explored. I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 04:20:19 | More by lacqueredmouse

Newbiebeer

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -14.5%

04-21-2013 04:20:02 | More by Newbiebeer

magpieken

Australia

4/5  rDev +14%

04-08-2013 15:56:55 | More by magpieken

retry4z

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

03-30-2013 04:20:59 | More by retry4z

bestpoop

California

4/5  rDev +14%

03-17-2013 20:08:38 | More by bestpoop

Puckstop98

4.75/5  rDev +35.3%

03-15-2013 14:37:51 | More by Puckstop98

MikeDre

California

2.75/5  rDev -21.7%

03-09-2013 02:42:40 | More by MikeDre

Therisse

California

2.5/5  rDev -28.8%

02-26-2013 17:45:54 | More by Therisse

duff247

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%

02-25-2013 00:23:07 | More by duff247

UC_SanDiegoDormRoomBrewer

4/5  rDev +14%

02-21-2013 07:08:24 | More by UC_SanDiegoDormRoomBrewer

Alek

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

02-17-2013 03:32:25 | More by Alek

jesus808

California

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%

02-14-2013 07:58:37 | More by jesus808

Devinph

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

02-06-2013 05:33:38 | More by Devinph