Steam Engine Lager - Steamworks Brewing Co.

beergoot

Colorado

3.4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear, copper-colored body with an initially thick, white head that gradually fades to a thin foamy layer. Light roasted grain scent with a touch of mown grass. Light malt character with a corresponding balance of hop bitterness. Medium-light body, smooth feel, crisp and dry finish.

A decent lager with a good balance of malt and hop characteristics. Nothing earth-shattering but an overall likable thirst quencher.

Serving type: can

05-18-2013 19:52:56 | More by beergoot

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Small light tan head settles into a thin but decent lacing above a crystal clear bright copper colored lager.

Light aroma consisting of citrus to piney hops and a bready to caramel malts.

The taste is on the lighter side with light roasted caramel malts with just a hint of the citruspine hops coming through.

A light dryish aftertaste with just a hint of malts sticking around on this light to medium bodied drink.

A light taste, not bad but not a lot there either, I think I'll look for something with a little more snap to it.

Serving type: nitro-can

10-02-2012 20:39:42 | More by LXIXME

kojevergas

California

2.85/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Served on draught into a pilsner glass in high altitude Fort Collins, Colorado. Reviewed from notes.

A: Pours a three finger head of slight cream, fair thickness, and pretty decent retention. Colour is a semitransparent copper-amber.

Sm: Slight hops, caramel, and light cream. A mild strength aroma.

T: Pleasant malt, slight cream, and light hops. Decently balanced, if simple. I like the build for what it is. The caramel is well-handled.

Mf: Smooth and wet, sort of suiting the style.

Dr: A decent beer for the style. Okay quality, but largely unremarkable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 00:35:11 | More by kojevergas

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pour - dark auburn in appearance with some lighter shades of orange and yellow being struck by the light. Rather thin head that fades to a ring of white inside the glass.

Aroma - sweet and malty. Sort of reminds me of visiting a brewery on brew day and smelling all those grains being steeped. Also some hints of bread dough and a little bit of lemon or lime zest.

Taste - one sip and it's clear this is a solid lager. Very crisp and balanced. Flavors like honey and caramel stand out on the tongue along with some biscuity flavors. Some faint hop characteristics come into play in the finish.

Overall - well put together lager. Everything seems to be in order and from beginning to end it works well. Very drinkable and quite tasty. Is it possibly the "best American-style Amber Lager in the world?" I don't think we're qualified to make that call but it's certainly a beer worth trying.

Would I buy more of it? - I'd like to try this fresh from the tap at the brewpub out in Durango! Perhaps I'll pick up some cans to go.

Serving type: can

06-11-2011 23:38:22 | More by indiapaleale

rawfish

California

3.78/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a rich copper gold into a tulip glass with a parchment paper two finger high head. Decent retention but very thin delicate lacing that breaks apart on the drink.

Lightly bready and toasted with some sweet grass and toffee sweetness, hops come in nicely, earthy grasses and pine.

A bit watery but initially strong amounts of caramel malt and toffee sweetness come in on the palate. Very toasty with a light coarse feel from the grains. Hops are very light but come in grassy and dark but not dank. Much more bitterness and drying than expected on the finish, well done.

Watery thin mouthfeel but acceptable for a lager, flavor is anything but. Average carbonation, everything lends itself well to this beer.

A nice rich amber that comes off more crisp and refreshing than your typical ale. Body on this makes it very sessionable, it would be hard to tire of this one. Worth a visit.

Serving type: can

06-06-2011 22:44:45 | More by rawfish

rsdaugherty

Colorado

3.13/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Can into a pint glass
A - 1 finger off-white head disappeared in a flash to a crown, clear aged copper penny color, 3.5
S - citrus and malts, with sweet grasses and hints of caramel 3.5
T - a very benign malt with a moderate to mild hop bitterness 3
M - a relatively watery thin experience with minimal carbonation towards the bottom of my pint 3
D - Good drinkability, but I'd prefer to drink something else next 3

Serving type: can

03-07-2011 04:06:54 | More by rsdaugherty

JoeAmerican77

Colorado

2.8/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Welcome to the mountains here's your trail map to the campsite and a canned six pack of fresh lager.

Pours out a copper penny, two finger head and a thick tan appearance. Smells of light hops and caramel. Tastes of the same with an up front sweet caramel and a hint o' can and light hops finish. mouthfeel is medium heavy with a decent amount of thick bubbles on the tongue. Drinkability is average figuring this is a cooler packer for a boat or camping trip. I like a little more pizzaz in my beer but for the style this is pretty decent.

Serving type: can

02-05-2011 02:55:16 | More by JoeAmerican77

womencantsail

California

3.4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks for the tick, Craig.

A: The pour is amber in color with a decent sized off-white head.

S: Not an overly impressive nose, but not bad. Mostly bready with some yeast and maybe a bit of earthy hops. At least it's not buttery...

T: A pretty basic flavor profile here. Some toasted and bready malts with a decent enough earthy hop flavor. Not really much bitterness and maybe a bit of toffee.

M: The body is light to medium with a moderate carbonation.

D: I had very low expectations for this tick. Surprisingly not bad. Don't know if I'd really want it again, though.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 01:18:26 | More by womencantsail

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

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

12 oz can into a pint glass.

Pours a crystal clear copper, with a finger of frothy off-white head. This retains with more of a thin foamy layer that skims the surface and leaving back a cascade of rich lacing. The aroma is grassy and citric, with some toasted graininess across the back. There's a touch of a leafy herbal feel to this as well, as does a little bit of sweeter caramel character.

The taste definitely has more hop activity going on for it, with a green and earthy bitterness that is set against sweeter notes of caramel and toasted bread. Hops linger in the finish with a bitter dryness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and fairly crisp feeling throughout but is maybe a little soft feeling on the edges.

Nothing mind-blowing here but they definitely had the right amount of hops present here for a Steam Beer. This seemed like a decent enough sessionable Lager and I like the portability of this in a can.

Serving type: can

12-14-2010 20:30:15 | More by Kegatron

roblowther

Texas

3.08/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Reddish copper with a quickly dissipating light tan head. Smells of caramel and bread. Taste is bready at first and then a bit metallic. I've just noticed this beer is several months past its prime and so this isn't really a fair read. I'll continue just for the practice. The aftertaste is sharp. Mouthfeel is soft and almost chewy. Drinkability is hard to say but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. I suppose I'll have to go to Durango to get a fresher sample. Oh darn the luck!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 16:37:34 | More by roblowther

AEK

United Kingdom (Wales)

3.05/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

255ml can poured into a Young's pint pot.

A. Reddish coloured beer with a huge pillowy white head.

S. Malty, chocolatey, resiny.

T. A weak meaty taste.

M. Very thin.

D. Avoid this and go for their Conductor IPA which is a much better performer. As canned beers go this is definitely a 'no-no' Conductor IPA is way ahead.

Serving type: can

11-17-2010 12:31:23 | More by AEK

Rayek

Colorado

3.7/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a perfect pint glass.

A: Deep amber with good clarity and very light carbonation. A Dense and fizzy cream cap quickly falls to a patchy film. Leaves intermittent bits of lace.

S: Lots of bittersweet toffee and caramel in the nose. Lemon and pepper round things out.

T: Bittersweet toffee dominates. Bitterness has a pronounced, yet balanced bite that brings along some pepper and a bite of lemon and grapefruit citrus. Finishes with lingering toffee and citrus flavors.

M: Despite little visible carbonation, this beer has a lot of tingle hitting my tongue. Feels heavier than the ABV would indicate.

D: This is a nice beer overall. It doesn't quite catch the standard bearer that is Anchor Steam, but is a nice effort.

Serving type: can

09-20-2010 01:22:31 | More by Rayek

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pilsner glass. 5.5% ABV, Best by Jul '09 notched on back label. Oh well... :/

A - Totally clear amber color with few bubbles rising up to a light beige head with low retention. Specks of lace and a small ring are left.

S - Fair malt and hop balance on the nose. A caramel sweetness is profuse and smells borderline Bock-like. Floral hops take a back seat but provide necessary counteraction to the malts.

T - The flavor balance leans more towards the floral hops with an earthy note while the malts, still caramel, aren't as sweet as expected. A lot of amber qualities to the flavor.

M - Smooth and clean with a crisp carbonation bite to the finish and a lingering dryness as well.

D - A good session lager that's held up well for it's supposed age. Didn't catch the Best by date in the store so I'd love to try a fresh bottle but it's not that bad this go-around.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 00:20:22 | More by BeerFMAndy

rootbeerman

Virginia

3.48/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

heavy pour into duvel tulip

A: pours copper brown, oddly not much head what was present was large bubbles.
S: overly sweet and bready, with a slight hop earthiness.
T: sweetness is mostly in the nose, still sweet roast malt, earthy hops and a very earthy and bready aftertaste.
M: smooth, carbonation seems high. slightly coating.
D: it easy to drink, the sweet smell is slightly off putting.

Serving type: can

02-13-2010 06:23:01 | More by rootbeerman

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to woodychandler for the trade.Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has an amber color with a small head. Smell is of malts and hops. Taste is good, malts and hops, a bit nutty, considerable amount of flavor. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and has good drinkability. Overall this is a refreshing and tasty beer.

Serving type: can

02-06-2010 14:00:59 | More by tone77

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer arrived a clean copper color with wispy head. Toasted, bready malt in the aroma balanced by a little earthy, almost grassy, hops.

Sweet malt on the palate, which lingers through a slick center into the finish. Bitterness did shine through at the end.

There are no bad features to this beer, but I do wish for more of the good features. Pretty average.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2010 01:46:31 | More by BeardedBoffin

Minkybut

Virginia

3.2/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I poured this brew into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer was a nice amber color and poured a regular but tan head. However the head did not hang around long. The smelled like caramel and tasted a biy t like it also. It was too sweet in fact. I liked it at first but by the last of the brew it was just too sweet. Not buy again.

Serving type: can

01-23-2010 18:48:14 | More by Minkybut

shadow1961

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Steamworks Steam Engine lager pours a couple fingers of loose foam over a generally clear deep amber brew, though there's a fair amount of particualte matter. Carbonation is steady, and the nose is clean lager yeast, lightly toasted malt, and a note of spicy hops. The flavor is mildly toasty sweetish barley malt up front, a little herbal/peppery hops off the back. Mouthfeel is light and crisp. Pretty simple stuff really, but that's not a bad quality for a party/session beer- good with food, easy drinking, but still a huge step up from your corn lager.

Serving type: can

01-20-2010 09:48:48 | More by shadow1961

Haybeerman

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Deep, clear orange/amber. Poured a 1 finger white that dissipated to a ring arouind the edges. Broken lacing.

S: Sweet, bready malt and hay. Light peppery hops.

T: Sweet, bready malts; pretty big malt. The taste of crackers lingers into the sharply bitter finish.

M: Light to medium body. Ample carbonation. Crisp, dry and clean.

D: Very easy to drink. Nice malty fllavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2009 20:53:52 | More by Haybeerman

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Yet another CAN! CAN you believe the way they keep coming to me?

From the CAN: "Arguably The Best Ameri[CAN] Style Amber Lager in the World."

I got a finger of quickly dissipating light-tan head with low retention. Nose had a healthy mix of hops and malt with the hops gaining a slight upper hand. Color was a slightly hazy orangish-amber. Mouthfeel was medium with a good bit of malty sweetness on the tongue. Finish was more malty than bitter but not overwhelmingly so. I found it a bit too sweet for my taste, but others might really like it. I simply feel that my cooler full of CANs at the beach could be better filled.

Serving type: can

11-01-2009 23:46:57 | More by woodychandler

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

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

Poured into my pint glass the beer is a reddish brown color with a slight wisp of head that dissapeared in a blink of an eye. Obviously no lace to be found.

The aroma is sweet malt and dark fruit. Maybe touch of hop bitterness along with a hint of black pepper.

The flavor is heavy on the malt initally. The hops come in on the back end with dark fruit and a ever so slight hint of wheat crackers.

Medium to light body with loads of carbonation. Nothing too notable.

Overall an average beer in my book. Nothing offensive but nothing worth picking up again.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2009 23:20:06 | More by beerwolf77

WJVII

Wisconsin

3.08/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

From my father-in-law (former railroad employee 40 years)
Poured into a pint glass this has a translucent amber color with a slight white head that left no lacing. The aroma is of caramel and the yeast is very present. The taste is very malt heavy and a little sweet. Not sure about the taste. Something just seems to be off. Light color, light weight, light carbonation, light taste. It was nice to try, but not something I would sit down to a session with.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2009 22:22:58 | More by WJVII

Mora2000

Texas

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

Pours a orangish-copper into a pint glass. Smell is lightly fruity and some malt and yeast. The taste is nothing like the smell, with heavy on the fruit with a little malt and no detectable hops. Not sure what the fruit flavor is, maybe some kind of berry.

There really isn't much here for this beer. Nothing bad about the beer, but nothing too good about it either. I easily finished the beer but not sure if I would drink another.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2009 05:34:22 | More by Mora2000

cokes

Wisconsin

3.18/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

Amber colored with a short beige head that quickly relocates itself to the edges of the glass.
Husky grain, and honey roasted nut aroma, with traces of peppery, grassy hops.
Begins with that same mutli-grain huskiness. Sweetens a bit with toffee and bruised red apples. A dab of peanut butter hits midway, along with an awkward brown paper oxidized note. It finishes with a low level, dead leaf, peppery hoppiness.
Flattish of both body and feel. The CO2 burns itself out quickly. Texturally, its pretty lifeless.
I'm rating it a bit on a curve, because the carbonation issue is dooming. What's here seems alright, but its a bit hard to tell.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2009 05:36:18 | More by cokes

argock

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz can into a clear pint glass. No freshness date discernible. Single purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $1.70.

A: Clear amber with pitiful off-white head that disappeared quickly and left no lace. Not promising.

S: The aroma is slightly above average because of the strong bready malt presence and a bit of crisp grassy hoppiness

T: Good flavor with solid biscuity, bready maltiness with nice light yeast fruit notes finished crisply with grassy noble hops that enhance the maltiness, which is pretty substantial.

M: I love the caressing feel of this lager, with girth and coating with a low-average carbonation that really works in conjunction with a solid maltload. Aftertaste is lightly fruity with biscuit and bread in there too.

D: A solid amber lager with dedicated malting to give this brew a very good body and nice classic fruity, bready lager flavor. A bit more hops to dress up the appearance and this would be a real winner.

Serving type: can

09-06-2009 04:01:59 | More by argock