Sawtooth Ale - Left Hand Brewing Company

gleemonger

California

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Hazy reddish yellow with a small white head. Looks a little flat, I wonder if this one is a little too old. No lacing.

Biscuity grany malts, a little honey sweetness, the slighest touch of citrusy hops (again, may have faded due to age). Some caramel malt too.

Very much follows the nose with the biscuity and caramel malts with just a light amount of citrusy hops and bitterness to balance it out. Pretty basic, but nice.

Moderate body with a fairly light carbonation. Could use a bit more carbonation I think, but pretty refreshing.

Bottle date is about 7 months old, so I'd like to try this again fresher, to maybe pick up a bit more of the hops. But regardless, it's a very nice, super refreshing ESB that goes down easy but has a good amount of complexity and is really tasty.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 20:42:55 | More by gleemonger

utopiajane

New York

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours deep copper amber with a good head of fine foam that fell lazily to some sticky lace. Perfect clarity and some bubbles on their way up from the bottom of the glass. Nose is gentle. Good bit of yeast to kick start it then lots of bready malt. Doughy, biscuit, and toasted. Mellow floral hops, grass, some fruits, a little dank. Taste is excellent. Traditional. Malty with plenty of biscuit. Thin and a little watery at first then smooth and not chewy. Perfectly balanced. The chocolate in this beer is an airy dusting of cocoa powder that is light, easy and so well done. Hops are nice and floral, a touch fruity & grassy - but the malt stays up throughout the drink and the feel of it is flowing. It has some mineral qualities and a very nice malt sweetness takes it into the finish with some oil and hop bitterness for an unmarred aftertaste. Pleasant, drinkable and a great example of the style. Positively dapper.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 13:46:24 | More by utopiajane

spoony

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

From a 355 ml bottle (best before June 22, 2013) into a tulip.

A-A normal pour produces a clear, red-tinted amber brew. The light-tan head drops quickly and leaves a touch of lacing on the glass.

S-I smell mildly citrusy hops fighting against some toasted pale malts. The nose is pretty gentle.

T-The taste is like the smell with slightly sharp and floral hops mostly outweighing the pale, dry malts. There is some malty sweetness up front, but for an ESB, this one leans toward the citrusy/hoppy side of things.

M-The feel is medium body with a decently aggressive carbonation. There is a touch of dank oiliness, too.

O-This is a pretty middle-of-the-road brew. I found the hops a little too strong for the style, which also affected the feel, but the flavor was decent and drinkability was good. This beer is pretty ubiquitous around my neck of the woods, and while there are better choices, I would drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 23:35:41 | More by spoony

BWED

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a tumbler

A- Clear amber, with a fairly thin off white head. Not much lacing.

S- Caramel malt, with a hint of fruitiness and slight floral background.

T- Caramel and fruity sweet. A mellow hop finish to balance out.

M- Medium-light body, very well balanced with a semi-dry finish.

O- This is very very well balanced. Just enough hop to even out with the malt. Refreshing as well.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 00:19:05 | More by BWED

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

2.95/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, orange amber colored with a short off white head that dissipates leaving some lacing, clear

S: not much of a smell, grainy with mild hops

T: the wheat imparts a weird cereal flavor to this beer, not for me

F: light to medium body with lively carbonation

O: an oddly flavored beer that would be better without the cream of wheat taste

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 00:59:14 | More by M_C_Hampton

sbxx

Illinois

2.99/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Appearance - Hazy red amber. 1 finger of foamy, light fluffy head.

Smell - Very light malt. No significant hints of hops.

Taste - Light, slick mix of hops, malt and water. Not bad. Not great.

Mouthfeel - Medium body, light carbonation, semi-dry finish.

Overall - Sessionable but nothing special. Forgettable. Doubt I'll buy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 07:36:21 | More by sbxx

RevRaymer

North Carolina

3.29/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Poured into a pint glass the beer had a nice amber color with just a slight head on it. The smell was floral but not very strong. Really had to work at getting a good smell off of it.

The feel was smooth with little carbonation.

The taste, although pleasant, was a bit understated. I dare say that it even had a watered down flavor to it.

Overall, it was an ok beer with a smooth consistency and flavor. However, it just seemed to lack much character. Simply, nothing very impressive about it.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 01:27:50 | More by RevRaymer

LuDookie

4.54/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is my new go-to beer when I'm not enjoying the stouts. It is very complex, in my opinion, and goes down very well. I would not consider it a "strong bitter" at all, for I am not a fan of hoppy beers. I've never even been able to stomach most bitters, or hoppy beer, such as IPA's, etc, but I really like this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 02:22:31 | More by LuDookie

scratch69

Missouri

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I poured a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance- Clear amber color with a half a fingers worth of head. Almost no lacing.

Smell- Bread-like malt aroma with some earthy hops notes.

Taste- Sweet caramel malt with a light herbal hop flavor for balance.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied and very well carbonated. Crisp with a slightly dry finish.

Overall- A well balanced and drinkable beer. While it is not the best ESB I have had, it is worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 00:04:44 | More by scratch69

Yosefus

North Carolina

4.09/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Best by 3/19/13 printed on bottle, poured into a pint glass.

Appearance - Poured a crystal clear copper color with one finger of lasting off-white head. Excellent lacing.

Smell - Bready malt forwardness with a nice floral hop backbone.

Taste - Slight breadiness with excellent hop bitterness. Just enough hops to balance the malt.

Mouthfeel - Medium to medium-high carbonation with medium mouthfeel.

Overall - Very enjoyable session beer. One of the more balanced beers I have had in a long time (I'm a hophead). This will definitely be added to my session beer go-to list.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 02:43:29 | More by Yosefus

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.66/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle opened on 1.11.13.

A - Pours a clear amber-orange with a very thin light tan head that fades quickly to the edges.

S - Malty, biscuity, sweet fruit.

T - Malty, orange, bready. No hops?

D - Decent carbonation with a medium body.

O - Malty and bready. Not much of a hop presence.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 06:53:44 | More by HuskyinPDX

sommersb

Tennessee

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 12-21-2012
Freshness: Bottled on 06-16-2012
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Nonic pint
Purchased: Received from a friend

Pours with 2 fingers of cream-colored head on a bright copper, clear beer. Head retention is very good as is the lacing. Aromas feature a moderate level of citrus hops, with a bready malt backbone and a mild hint of nuts.

The initial taste is of the hops, but bitterness is not high as the pale, bready malts counter for an overall nice balance. The body is medium and carbonation is also average. The finish is dry with a hoppy bitter aftertaste, but still the balance is done well.

Overall a well-executed ESB in my opinion and one I could recommend.

Thanks to Craig for this one!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 20:25:11 | More by sommersb

FungusBrewer

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours smooth, not aggressive. Sawtooth ale appears a tad hazy in the glass with copper/light caramel hues when held up to the light. It smells great, almost yeasty with very minor hints of hops. Nothing up front and overpowering. It goes down smooth, with almost a silky mouth-feel, leaving a sweet/malty aftertaste. Immediately when beer meets taste buds you're anticipating bitterness from the look and aroma, but it turns out to be quite the opposite.

Overall, Sawtooth Ale is an extremely well balanced session beer that I'd definitely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 04:50:33 | More by FungusBrewer

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Slightly hazy orange/copper color. Thin soapy off-white head.

Aroma: Bready with sweet (candy-like) hop notes.

Taste: Same as the aroma with some added caramel malt flavor and a hint of citrus. A tad watery but that's to be expected at 5.3% ABV. I wish there was more hop flavor here. The bitterness is moderate, nothing a hop head would go crazy for. The palate is mostly sweet overall.

Mouthfeel: Closer to thin than medium in body. Average carbonation and easy drinkability.

Final Thoughts: Wasn't expecting much from this one so it basically met my expectations. A decent ESB. Would I drink it again? Eh, probably not. Although, I have seen friends session this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 00:46:17 | More by JamesMN

BeerDawgs

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - A copper amber color, with clarity. 1 finger of head and lots of sticky lace left all over the glass.

S - Slightly sweet and malty, caramel. Aroma is pretty mild.

T - Like the smell, but sweeter. Big malty backbone, bread.

M - Very well cabonated. Sizzles going down. Like the mouthfeel

O - An average ale in my opinion. Left Hand has much better ones in my opinion

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 01:09:32 | More by BeerDawgs

BierStein711

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

bottle poured into pilsner

Best ESB, I have had!

Burnt orange body with moderate carbonation

Two finger off white head

Smells: Hops, malt, dried fruit

Taste: Dried fruits, hop, minerals, and warm finish

Mouthfeel: Pleasant and oily

Overall, this is a fine beer!!

I would commit to a six pack.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 18:47:45 | More by BierStein711

Dave1999

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a red amber with a tiny white head.

The smell is sweet,yeasty and some dark fruits.

The taste is sweet and malty not quite as good as the smell.

The mouthfeel is quite light with medium carbonation.

Overall this is easy to drink, tastes good but not complex enough to make it great.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 02:19:42 | More by Dave1999

searsclone

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

bottle into a pint glass. caramel colored with a long lasting white head and an excellent lace left on the glass.

smell is faint grass and a bit of pine (edit: a different sample offered some caramel and a touch of dark chocolate in the nose)

taste is great. sweet caramel and sugar with a perfect just the right amount of hop to leave it perfectly balanced.

mouth feel is chewy and creamy with a crisp yet sticky finish. unique, but it works.

all around, a great beer. I would have given it even higher overall, if I would have gotten more aroma.(edit: upped the rating by 1/2 point due to the presence of a better aroma)

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 02:10:50 | More by searsclone

cutout

South Carolina

4.48/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 0z. bottle poured into 20 oz. tulip glass.

A. Golden amber color 1/2 finger head creamy but not lingering.
S. Your nose comes alive with malty sweetness and carmel and biscuit overtones.
T. Such a well balance of hop and malt the hops being the real surprise from not picking them up on smell but o so present in subtle way.
M. A dry but sweet taste followed all the way through.
Being a Pale Ale and IPA fan this was a contrast but pleasant surprise to my palate and a beer i will reach for again .

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 04:13:34 | More by cutout

SadMachine

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Reviewed from notes from 10/17/12

A- Pours a slightly opaque golden amber with a half-finger head that leaves some, but not much lacing.

S- Aroma is floral at first, giving way to sweet malts, caramel, bread, and a touch of yeast and piney hops.

T- Not a ton going on in the beginning and middle, but the finish explodes with flavor. Similar to the nose I get caramel, buttered bread, and resinous hops to balance the malts.

M- Mouthfeel is medium to thick.

0- A solid, tasty ESB that I wouldn't mind revisiting.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 17:52:03 | More by SadMachine

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

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

A 12oz bottle with a BB of March 2013. Picked up some time back from Trembling Madness in York. I like the colourful label, even though the imagery is odd.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. A hazy brownish-amber with good carbonation. Yields a decent head of creamy off-white foam that lasts for a minute or two before reducing to a surface layer. Aroma of earthy, grainy malt with notes of caramel, wheat, stewed hops, dry yeast esters and a hint of brown sugar. A slight spiciness in the background (wheat influence?).

Tastes of grainy caramel malt with a dry, yeasty finish. Notes of wheat, caramel/toffee, yeast esters, stewed hops and mild brown sugar. Faint leafy hop overtones and subtle background spice. A restrained bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth, dry and tingly, with good body and understated carbonation. Rather astringent, with an aftertaste of yeasty, wheaty malt and stewed hops.

I'm not loving this - its character and flavour just seem muddled. Distinctly malty, with plenty of earthy yeast and a notable wheat presence. The hops don't come across well and the bitterness seems lacklustre. I reckon the wheat is adding something unusual that doesn't belong with the style. Odd spicy hints in the background - similar to coriander. It seems well made but it just doesn't work; not a great ESB. I would expect an English example to be cleaner and boozier. No need to seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 02:23:54 | More by jazzyjeff13

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a conical pint glass.

The beer pours a decidedly amber orange. A soapy off white head recedes to a random patch of bubbles while nice sticky lacing makes world map rings on the glass.

The beer smells pretty pure and simple. Lots of hops after the initially subdued sweet malts. Some citrus and namely grapefruit peel come through.

The taste mimics the aroma but pulling no punches. A nice round mellow malt body that adds some needed sweetness, then a nice tangy, citrus hop follow through. There's a very faint fruit note coating the hops as to not make this too sharp. A somewhat tangy tea finish.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and sharp. Some dryness.

Overall, I like the balance in this. It's very straight-forward and simply in construction, and not at all bad to have a few.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 15:05:34 | More by JuicesFlowing

Bitter_Echo

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This one is billed as an ESB. I've only had a few. Pours a dark, coppery, almost brown color, with little light reflecting. Head is low and rapidly fades. A bit hazy/cloudy, but nearing clear. Smells malty and fruity, with little hoppiness at all about, what you'd expect for an extra special bitter. Sweetness is low, and so is the bitterness which is present, and actually pronounced, but not nearly shouting. Carbonation is also in line with the style: low but fussy. Mouthfeel is wet, refreshing, and not as chewy as it is dark. Overall a solid offering.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 21:38:34 | More by Bitter_Echo

obrike

Texas

3.8/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bought a single as part of a mix sixer at World Market in Round rock.

Poured a murky light caramel in my pint glass. Not much of a head on this one...what there is disappates quickly and leaves little to no lace.

Scent is not too bad. A sweet bready, malty scent. Not sure what to expect from this as I'm not used to this style.

Well looky here. This is pretty good. Big time caramel malts, toffee, buttery biscuit...darn tasty. Just a slight bitter hop at the end to kick things up. Quite carbonated, a bit dry on the finish, but a very drinkable beer. This could be a pretty sessionable beer will an abv just above 5 and a lot of good flavor.

Very well crafted beer here for those looking for something a little outside the norm of IPAs and stouts.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 01:44:26 | More by obrike

GMB

Japan

4.28/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A standard pour of Left Hand Brewing Company's Sawtooth Ale yields a tawny body. Small bubbles are evenly dispersed throughout the body, and rise slowly to support the small but sticky head.

Mild floral notes mingle with the beer's malt-dominated nose.

The first sip is hoppier than expected. Neither bittering nor aroma hops are overpowering, but they are more palpable on the palate than in the nose. The Munich and black malts are very well balanced, offering rich, roasted flavors of browned butterscotch and caramel. Wheat malt is appreciable but not overpowering, thereby introducing some spicy notes that nicely complement the beer's balanced hops without overpowering the rich malts. Fresh hop aromas and flavors become increasingly palpable as the beer warms. The beer's hang is a nice mix of sweet and bitter, though, unlike the authors of Left Hand Brewing Company's website, I wouldn't describe it as "dry."

The beer's body is fuller and more luscious than I expected. The malt is substantial, and the beer's subtle carbonation yields a soft, creamy froth when the beer is swirled about the tongue. Both are nice complements to the beer's sweet, malty flavor.

Left Hand Brewing Company's Sawtooth is a balanced Extra Strong Bitter that compares favorably with the best representatives of the style. It offers a delicious, easy-drinking beer that is also sophisticated. The word "balance" describes this beer well. I'll be drinking this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 22:03:20 | More by GMB