Fireman's #4 - Real Ale Brewing Company

Labeerfinder

3.23/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours golden and slightly cloudy with a modest head with minimal lacing. Aroma of citrus, floral, and maybe a bit of yeast. Flavor is similar to aroma, very smooth, even somewhat creamy, with mild hop aftertaste. Nice, drinkable blonde ale but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 20:18:41 | More by Labeerfinder

samogletree

Texas

4/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a mug. Best by 4-16-2012.

A- A nice golden color with a solid tan head which dissipates fairly quickly.

S- The smell is very lemony with hints of sweet malts.

T- You can taste the lemons and what i would describe as a biscuit flavor followed with a slight bitterness.

M - More carbonation that most other drinks. A good crisp feel.

O- I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. It had a great flavor and a nice appearance. I look forward to drinking some more.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 07:59:46 | More by samogletree

TwinButte

South Dakota

3.38/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at our hotel bar in Dallas. doing an expedited review.

Not a whole lot to write home about with this one. It seems to be the go to local brew for most of the bars here in Dallas. A stepup from the normal BMC that they serve along with Shiner Bock (as I expectected). I was hoping my trip to Texas would have allowed me to try some new brews but it would appear the TX beer taste buds have not evolved much yet.

This one is a good upgrade for the BMC switchers/tweeners who want to branch out. Good earthy hop bitterness and some lemony enfluences too. Good carbonation.

It's beer. I drank it. End of post.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 03:57:24 | More by TwinButte

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at The Holy Grail Pub in Plano, TX.

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden yellow with a half finger thin white head. There is very little head retention or lacing present in this beer.

S: Hints of citrus hops with pale malts and a slight presence of adjunct malts.

T: Flavors of citrus zest (likely lemon), earthiness, and hop bitterness with the slightest hints of grains/corn.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation and a dry finish.

O: Not something that I would go out of my way to have again but not something that I couldn't bring myself to finish either. I guess I would describe it as too average, there is a nice balance in the beer and the highlight for me is the hints of critrus.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2012 01:04:13 | More by dbrauneis

TheAlamoWrocker

Texas

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

Poured a 355 mL bottle into a JFF is my BFF novelty pint glass.

A: Poured a fairly thin head which mostly dissipated quickly. The colors are interesting, it comes off as a yellow with a slight lime. Minor carbonation rises from the bottom.

S: Some minor citrus smells arise. Minor hops arise, but it's mostly the citrus that takes up this smell.

T: A citrus zest definitely hits the palate on first take. That same zest stays on the palate which make up this drinks slight aftertaste. Some minor malty bread flavors come in throughout the take in, but nothing spectacular.

M: The mouthful is definitely nice for the style. The body is light with a fairly decent amount of carbonation.

O: This is not a complex beer, but it is nicely balanced and a great drink for those not desiring something complex. This is more zest rather than hops or malts.
This is a summer drink and will help help during a long day outside.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 23:15:37 | More by TheAlamoWrocker

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.03/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

16 oz tap pour, reviewed live. There's a first for everything!
On tap at Blackfinn, Addison, TX

A - Apperance from the tap is golden blonde with a well-retained, short little head and patchy lace.

S - The cold temperature of this beer leaves the aroma with nothing but some pale malt.

T - Earthy hop notes on the back end with pale malt. Not really impressive here.

M - Light bodied, highly carbonated, and served pretty dang cold. Slightly dry on the finish.

O - Not something I'd come back to personally. My boss on the other hand liked it quite a bit.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2011 23:18:00 | More by BeerFMAndy

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a golden color nice lacing down glass. Tan foam cap sticking down walls of glass.

S: Aroma is light crisp and has corn smell or adjunct smell.

T: Taste is of much the same light floral hops come in waves over the corn background.

M: medium to light body lots of tiny bubbles wash the tongue with decent amount of carbonation.

O: Overall a very drinkable beer could drink a few of these, probably best with some BBQ on a hot day.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 20:31:02 | More by nukem5

grittybrews

Washington

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

Poured a hazy straw gold with a finger of bright white head. Nice aroma with some biscuity grain, grass, lemon, and honey.

Slightly low carbonation and a creamy, light mouthfeel. Honey and biscuit malt up front followed by some light lemon and a little grainy bitterness on the tail end.

Pretty smooth and easy-drinking, but the more malt-dominated blondes aren't my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 05:00:29 | More by grittybrews

elNopalero

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Right off the bat let me say that I’m not into blondes. I would have to say it’s one of my least favorite styles of beer to drink. In my mind blond ales are watery, flavorless beers that you swill. (Not to be confused with adjunct lager, although I admit associating them with such.) Biased? Perhaps. But am I alone in feeling this way? Probably not.

So, that said, allow me to describe my enjoyment of Real Ale’s Fireman’s #4, with just a bit of irony. Or egg on my face.

Poured from the bottle into a nonic glass Fireman’s forms a hearty bit of head that quickly dissipates. Gone in a flash!

The beer is clear, and true to its name, blond. It’s the color of straw yellow. There’s a trace amount of residue at the bottom, most likely from being bottle conditioned.

An easy drinker. There’s not a whole lot of complexity, although isn’t that true to style? One thing that I find distinguishes Fireman’s and makes it enjoyable for me are the faint biscuit notes. It’s just a trace, but as the beer warms they become more pronounced. In fact, its my favorite part of this beer.
I’d consider this a gateway beer for people who aren’t familiar with craft beer or for those hooked on BMC. For the rest of us it’s an excellent example of a quality craft beer’s approach and the difference it makes. I’d pair this with pizza, nachos, grilling outside and—if it was canned—tubing down the Guadalupe. (At least until beverages are officially banned on the river!) As far as blond ales go it’s a winner.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 22:33:22 | More by elNopalero

ElCommodoro

Texas

3.65/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Golden blonde colour with a small white head that left some pretty lacing. The smell is yeasty, like fungus growth.
This was a decent beer. It had kind of a sweet, honey flavour to it. It was otherwise fairly bland. Highly drinkable, not exciting. Probably not worth the price for that bracket. It had kind of a sticky mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 01:31:19 | More by ElCommodoro

womencantsail

California

3.4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Bobby for sharing this one. Labelled as Alamo Golden Ale, but this is the same thing.

A: The pour is a cloudy light golden color with a small white head on it.

S: Oh yes, a wonderful lemony aroma to it. Some straw and light yeastiness with some grainy notes, though it does have a bit of toast to it, which is actually sort of okay. A light bread flavor and biscuit.

T: Same lemon and lightly tart lemon notes as were present on the nose. Sweet grainy malts with light toast and biscuit character. A bit of grass and a very faint hop bitterness on the back end.

M: Light in body with a medium level of carbonation.

O: I guess if it's a light, summer/lawn mower type beer you're looking for this works. Not my thing, though.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 20:49:43 | More by womencantsail

treque

Mexico

3.55/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: nice 2 finger head, white, creamy and rich. Pale straw in color, traslucent, light medium body, carb is constant.

S: some hops, biscuit, sweet malt

T: initial sweetness, then you get some biscuit flavour, there is no big end, some bitterness

nice sensation on mouth, balanced

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 01:46:07 | More by treque

annawees

Texas

2.35/5  rDev -32.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A: Pours a bright straw colour that's clear with a head that quickly disapates.

S: Definitely not a strong smell, but I finally got a note of sweet malts.

T: Disappointing, the incredibly strong flavors of yeast were unbalanced. It was reminiscent of a South or Central American macrobrew.

M: It was crisp and enjoyable and the only reward to the not so enjoyable taste.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 12:02:54 | More by annawees

Biermaedchen

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear straw-colored body with a couple of fingers of off-white head with ok retention & leaves a little lacing down the sides of the pint glass.

S: Nothing special or pungent, but it is not bad. A tiny bit malty with some fruity/sweet scents. not a strong scent at all though.

T: Malt is very subdued in flavor with a leafy, citrus (lemon) hop profile. Finishes dry and clean. Not the most flavorful beer, but it's pretty tasty.

M: Carbonation is good and body is light-medium. easy to drink.

No where near my favorite craft brew- but it is very consistent. would be a good 'starter beer' for someone jumping off the main stream wagon. Not bad at all, but not great.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2011 18:43:12 | More by Biermaedchen

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.3/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a pale golden yellow with a thin off white head. Decent lace left behind from a sparkling clear liguid. A nice bit of carbonation bubbling up from the bottom.

Smell was light, with the biggest hints coming from grain, and a nice bread tone. Slightly sour tones present as well, maybe some sour grape or apple.. Nice play on the palate and a decent hoppy aftertaste. Biggest flavors were by far malts and grains, with a musty bread flavor being the biggest factor here.

Overall it was a little bitter to be a real sessionable ale, . Nothing really standing up and greabbing you about this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 01:20:26 | More by mikesgroove

SWMeyer4141

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance-Golden yellow, hazy. Almost looks like a hefe. 2 finger white head, lots of big bubbles. Dissipates fairly quickly and leaves some lacing.

Smell-Yeasty and Biscuity. Some light citrus and some apple.

Taste-Biscuits and sweet malts. Citrus comes through on the back end. Not sure if this was intened by I get some of that farmhouse saison funk, and I don't mind it.

Mouthfeel-Clean and Crisp. Medium bodied. More on the high end of carbonation

Overall-I bought a single but it's 6.99 for a 6pk. It's affordable, above average, but not going to knock your socks off. Maybe the best year round beer from Real Ale(which isn't saying much).

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 18:02:40 | More by SWMeyer4141

tronester

Oklahoma

3.38/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A clear pale yellow with a thin white head. Smells of lemon and a hint of grain. Taste is a hint of sweetness, followed by a tobacco and grassy hop middle and finish. Very similar hop profile to a California Common I brewed that utilized northern brewer hops. Average mouthfeel and carbonation. Overall a decent beer. Refreshing and non offensive.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 18:13:39 | More by tronester

txbrew81

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Hazy straw with a two finger head

S: Sweet malty smell with some citrus.

T: Biscuity malts with some citrus hops. Mainly sweet. clean.

M: Low carbonation. Thin mouthfeel. Quaffable.

O: A pretty good summertime beer. Not my favorite but one I would by again at it's price point.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 21:44:53 | More by txbrew81

bisonkron

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

bottle to sam adam's perfect pint glass

nice clear golden color. white head that dies down after a minute. Great carbonation.

Appearance: The smell is malty, similar to some of the non-alcoholic "malt beverages" out there.

Taste: Sweet and citrusy, with a hint of hops.

MouthFeel: crisp and clean in the mouth. Very smooth and easy to drink. just the right amount of carbonation.

overall: a great beer for the summer. very refreshing, and at a great price, one i go back to quite often. This is one of the Texas beers converting BMC drinkers into craft drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2011 15:52:30 | More by bisonkron

cosmicevan

New York

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Stuck in the airport of austin linger than I would like to mention. Can't beat em, drink the local beer. This was tasted from a bottle so take that into account. Appearance was a bottle so towed the lone and said it is good. Smell is pretty malty as is taste, but a nice blonde overall. Good earthy notes, easy drinker and good blonde in general.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 23:42:00 | More by cosmicevan

bundy462

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Straw, decent foamy head.

S: Slight citrus and yeast. Very clean.

T: Very clean, slight yeast taste. A little citrus in the finish, but clean overall.

M: Thin and light bodied. Slightly heavier in carbonation than most.

O: Slightly above average brew, but not by much.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 23:27:10 | More by bundy462

ZenAgnostic

Texas

3.28/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pale golden clear body. Frothy white head with decent retention and great lacing.

Smell - Malty autumn scent.

Taste - Cardboard. Herbal and grassy.

Mouthfeel - Crisp feel. Medium bodied.

Overall Drinkability - Enjoyable beer withs ome off flavors that don't do much to diminish the overall enjoyability.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 04:35:23 | More by ZenAgnostic

far333

Connecticut

3.28/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pale apricot colored with a firm beige head that lingers long and leaves sheets if jagged lace up the sides of the glass. No aroma. Even flavor of breast malt, slight corn and grassy notes. Even mouthfeel, full and creamy. Tasty beer, not overly complex.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2011 21:12:36 | More by far333

tbrink

South Dakota

3.65/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

This pours a clear straw color with minimal lacing that vanishes rapidly. Smell is vaguely fruity, with a subtle splash of hops hiding in there if you really whiff it. The tmouthfeel is crisp, with a clean finish that has a slight alcohol backend. Taste is very subdued, but I'll agree with the person that detected a hint of pear.
This is a well made blonde ale, perfect for inclusion in the "lawnmower beer" category. It's nothing special, but sometimes you want just a plain ol' beer to ground your tastebuds in reality, and this would definitely fit that bill.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2011 03:58:57 | More by tbrink

mountsnow1010

Vermont

3.53/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - Slightly hazy straw color with a big fluffy white head that dissipates quickly. Minimal lacing.
S - Slight pear smell and an adjuncty-like odor, not sure how to describe it.
T - Pretty plain, grainy notes with a hint of some spice - unsure what that is. Somewhat watery.
MF - Very very light, nice carbonation though.
DB - High. Nice session beer.

This reminds me of a HME+adjunct homebrew I've made. A bit better.
Nice as a session beer, but pretty week flavored.
From a trade with gawnphishin. Thanks!

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 02:29:04 | More by mountsnow1010