John Labatt Red Amber - Labatt Brewing Company Ltd.

stangski83

Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Part of a Labatt Mix 12 Pack bought at the local supermarket for $9.99. Bored on a Saturday, I decided to take a chance. Nothing special here, but a rather drinkable (albeit bland) Red. On par with Leinie's Red although a bit more chuggable. A "starter" red for non beer geeks would fit this one quite well. Not horrible, but certainly not worth writing home over. I would complain, but it's nice to see the Macro's at least trying to win over a craft drinker - on the same token as the recent AB/Michelob releases. In other words, it's not great, but it beats drinking most of the other sub $10 12 packs. A good mix pack if you're trying to break your friends from the usual macro's.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2008 22:00:49 | More by stangski83

bismarksays

Iowa

2.75/5  rDev -10.4%

01-16-2013 06:23:18 | More by bismarksays

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Looks like a typical amber lager. Clear amber hue with less than a 1/4 inch of head.

S - Smells of mild lager yeasts, little hops, and a touch of caramel malts.

T - Not bad, it's better than I expected for Labatt. Light hops, grains, and some toasted malts with mild caramel.

M - Light to medium. It goes down smooth.

Overall not something I would get again but worth a try for a dollar.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 04:57:31 | More by DrDemento456

hardcor33

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -2.3%

04-15-2012 21:17:06 | More by hardcor33

Goldfishman

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -2.3%

01-30-2012 02:26:28 | More by Goldfishman

roastTHEmost

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +14%

01-08-2012 20:57:49 | More by roastTHEmost

fx20736

New York

3.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle (11? 12? Oz) into a pint glass, fridge temp.

Slightly hazy peachy amber with a thin white head. Active and visible carbonation, nominal lacing.

Aroma: muted pale malt and some hops, not much there.

Mouthfeel: average.

Taste: tastes like a mass produced lager but made with a more caramel malt and slightly more hops.

Notes: From the Brewmasters collection, actually labelled 'Red Lager'. Not horrible, certainly drinkable, but utterly forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 01:42:49 | More by fx20736

bushbeer75

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz brown bottle

Labatt Red Lager [rebranded from Red Amber] the last of 4 included in the Brewers Collection poured a clear amber color. A hard pour produced a 2-finger off-white head. As I consumed the lager nice lacing was clinging to the walls of my glass mug. The taste and nose is of light caramel malt with light hops in the background adding to the light slightly bitter finish. The body is light with a good amount of fizzy carbonation.

If you are looking for an average [tasting] American Red Lager sold at a reasonable price Labatt Red Lager could be the one for you – worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 19:09:16 | More by bushbeer75

DannyDan

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours out a red amber hue with a two inch whitehead that quickly disappears leaving some nice retention and lacing. The beer has a grain and yeast smell and the taste is some grains and sweet malts with a touch of hops in the back. I like the smooth, crisp, clean and creamy mouthfeel of this beer even if it is a lighter bodied beer. Not a bad beer at all for the price and has decent flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 04:11:41 | More by DannyDan

barnzy78

Illinois

3/5  rDev -2.3%

11-27-2011 05:20:41 | More by barnzy78

schoolboy

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I was wondering how I would make it through all the mediocrity of this 24 case, well one of the Red's was nearly empty before opening, so I just poured that one out. Give away a few and presto, they are almost gone.

This red isn't bad in any category, but it isn't exceptional in any way either (except economy). It's beer, and not badly made, but it isn't really tastey either. I don't intend to buy any of these again unless I was having a party on a budget.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 02:10:17 | More by schoolboy

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 11.5 oz. bottle. Has an amber color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is malty, some grains. Taste is crisp, mild, some malts, just a touch of hops at the finish, not a whole lot of flavor. Feels light in the mouth and overall is a drinkable and decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 14:13:20 | More by tone77

Schmidts

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours amber ruby red from the bottle small ruby white color head that leaves quickly. Smells of malts and alcohol. Tastes of sweet malts and alcohol very creamy and smooth, frankly delicious. It is a beer you can just sit and drink a few! I am very surprised at the flavor this beer has, it is a winner and a very creamy beer in its finish.
Feels very refreshing in your mouth and smooth. I give it an overall of 4.0 and I must say it has proved to be a very nice drinkable beer from Labatt.
Thanks to Jason for giving me a bottle of it!

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 23:09:22 | More by Schmidts

bullwinkle88

Isle of Man

3.45/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Just got this in the Labatt Brewmaster's Collection (Autumn). Did some research and this seems to have been re-branded as Red Lager.

A: Deep ruby with moderate (but quickly dissolving) head and pretty lacing.

S: I was taken aback by a very alcoholic smell; booziness definitely dominated any other intended aroma

T: Now thats what I'm talking about! Delicious rich flavor, classic lager taste with a smooth cream finish. I could get used to this!

M: I'll get derided for this, but I like a bubbly beer, and this was quite carbonated.

Overall: I really like this, and it figures to be an early candidate for the highlight of the pack. (For those interested it also contains a marzen, porter, and brown ale.) A snappy presentation and a fantastic product like this make me wonder why the horrendous Labatt Bleu is their flagship product. I guess every beer has its audience but I worry that this beer will be overlooked because of Labatt's prestige (or lack thereof.) But between this and their terrific Canadien Ale, Labatt does offer something in the way of flavor. Give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 03:40:08 | More by bullwinkle88

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Got a case of the signature series for Christmas in 2008. This one was my least favorite out of the four. This beer has a really nice red color with a decent head on it. The lacing isn't bad either. The aroma is a little bitter but the flavors kinda hit a little under par for me. Something just wasn't right out this brew. It was plenty drinkable but it just wasn't as good as most red ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2011 02:34:46 | More by Knapp85

Yeastcakes

Colorado

2.98/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Serving notes - 0.5L German glass, cellar temp
A - subtle caramel malt profile
A - two fingers of head that disappears within seconds leaving a thin film of head. Clear and dark red in color.
M - Light to medium body and carbonation.
T - Maltiness is the most prominent thing in the taste but still very subtle. Cannot taste any hops. Very clean finish.
D - This beers goes down easy but lacks anything to really make it stand out. I would drink it if it was handed to me free.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2009 01:12:25 | More by Yeastcakes

Brenden

Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The color is a reddish amber. The head is thicker and larger than I expected though it does dissipate. Light lacing is left. Actually not really a bad appearance at all.
The smell, like most of this Labatt micro effort, is a little weak. I can detect malts, an earthy sort of note, and light grains. Stronger than the porter at least. The taste is similar. Hops presence is very minimal. The mouthfeel is actually decent. Thicker than the porter though still a little watery. As with the Labatt porter, it's as though someone made something that could have been pretty good and diluted it with a lot of water.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2009 04:02:11 | More by Brenden

WakeandBake

Michigan

2.75/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A clear deep amber color pour with a thin white head that faded to almost nothing.Smell: Aroma is mostly sweet toasted caramel and nutty toffee malt notes . The flavor is rather simple, thin and light. It is similar to the aroma with a sweet cereal grain and light caramel malt,the hop flavor is light and grassy It adds a good bit of bitterness,and maybe spice too as well as some metallic notes to the finish. The body is light,mouthfeel is pretty thin with a sort of light fizzy carbonation. Not a bad amber but nothing very memorable.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2009 15:33:13 | More by WakeandBake

DmanGTR

New York

2.35/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - poured a clear amber red with a nice white 3" head in a tulip that actually kept longer than I expected, but still diminished soon after. An intense stream of bubbles erupting from the apex of the tulip trying to keep the head alive but failing. Laced surprisingly well.

S - soft aromas of pale malts and slightly overcooked vegetables come to mind. Sweet perfumey smell, reminds me of corn husks. No hops detected.

T - sweet pale malts, not much else. Watery and barely any bitterness discernible in the finish. Clean, sweet, and very dim in overall flavor.

M - very light bodied and decently carbonated. Smooth, but very watery.

D - I must admit, this was drinkable in terms of being able to finish one in less than 5 minutes but in the matter of wanting another, I don't think so.

Overall - A feeble attempt of a beer. The nice appearance drew me in but is very dull in taste and what taste is apparent does not serve any well purpose at all. Decently sweet and a touch maltier than the Blue, but does not stand up at all to Yuengling or Brooklyn .

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2009 03:18:06 | More by DmanGTR

armock

New York

2.6/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - Poured an amber color with an off white head that leaves spotty lacing

S - Is mostly of grainy malt looks like an amber smells like a macro

T - Follows the nose grainy malt with a weird finish

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - This is one of those beers that I'll never buy again but if some one gave it to me to drink I'd take it the beer is deceiving it looks like an amber but drinks like a macro

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2009 19:32:28 | More by armock

Buggies

Pennsylvania

2.3/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

The aroma and taste go hand and hand. This one is mildly sweet and a little bready. A good crisp carbonation keeps me interested. But really, I can't find any reason to actually buy this. It is very uninteresting. This one is by no means horrible. There are just more flavorable examples of the style out there.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2009 04:29:19 | More by Buggies

almychristopher

New York

3.4/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a crystal clear amber brown with an off white head that fades quickly to next to no lacing. the nose immediately identifies the bottom feeders, but the nice malt character makes the aroma decent. the taste is decent if a bit light, the malt and the hop bitterness are there, but not overpowering. the light body and the aggressive carbonation make it a very drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2009 01:08:57 | More by almychristopher

jadpsu

Georgia

2.53/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Labatt charges far too much for these mediocre beers they are putting in sampler packs as a Brewmasters Selection.

This beer pours amber in color with a tan foamy big bubble head that does not last too long.
Aroma does not impress. A little caramel and hints of grain, but not much.
Body light, texture thin. Given its price this beer is of extremely low value. If I paid economy prices I might give it some breaks, but it is an ecomomy quality beer with way too high price.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2009 02:34:06 | More by jadpsu

drxandy

Michigan

3.45/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12oz to standard pint, pours a reddish amber brown, cream colored head hangs around for a while.

smells of labatt yeast, adjuntcts, not much else

taste is biscuity, slight sweetness, adjuncts, easily drinkable, hop presence is nice and slightly bitter, drinks better from the bottle. not an amazing red but not horrible.. probably wouldn't buy again.

mouthfeel is thin, bitter, lagery, sweet malt, good carbonation....
wouldn't buy again

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2008 03:24:48 | More by drxandy

TheTrevor

New York

2.88/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured brown with an amber tint and a single-finger head that dissipated quickly. The smell is almost all malt, with a little bit of caramel and toastiness if you wait for it to warm a little bit. The taste starts off with some sweet malt that fades away to some token hops that add nothing except to linger on the palate in a rather unpleasant way. The mouthfeel is watery, and has an average amount of carbonation. This is a pretty drinkable beer, but overall is nothing I'd go out of my way for.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2008 02:49:00 | More by TheTrevor