Fat Weasel Ale - Steinhaus Brewing Co.

WhiteDog2006

Iowa

4.38/5  rDev +47%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Maybe I was just thirsty (who am I kidding...I was parched), but I drank this straight from the bottle, and I loved it!

The taste, the smell, the mouth-feel, the drinkability...all "good" to "exceptional".

Of all the 'Micro-Brews' I have come across in different regions of this country...I would put this one in my top 10.

Since I drank it out of the bottle, I didn't get to see the beer----but taste is far more important to me. (but I rated the appearance at "average", because my review would not load without something in that field)

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2008 20:40:10 | More by WhiteDog2006

IntriqKen

California

4.18/5  rDev +40.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Note:
My bottle says, "brewed and bottled by River Trent Brewery Co., Ukiah, CA." I don't know if the brewery has changed or if only the name has changed. The bottle is identical to the picture on this page.

Pours a medium golden yellow with a small white head that melts to fine lacing and then nothing.
Aromas of sweet malt and bready yeast...warm dinner rolls.
Taste is sweet malt and a balanced sharp hop bite afterwards...not really bitter...just sharp, clean and drying.
Aftertaste is of the crisp hops.
This is a beer you can drink lots of in an afternoon and find yourself in big trouble. The 7.1% alcohol is totally hidden.
So be warned...this is an American Strong Ale that is very well disguised as a mild APA

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2006 22:57:23 | More by IntriqKen

pmcadamis

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +35.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I picked up a sixer of this at Trader Joe's in downtown Chicago for a paltry $5.99.

A - Vibrant gold with only a hint of haze. This one has a small but persistent white cap and only leaves a tiny bit of lace on the glass. Not really a looker, in she?

S - Oh, that's not what I expected at all. I picked this up in a hurry on a quick errand before checking in to our hotel, and I knew nothing about the beer other than that I've never tried it or even heard of it before... and it was $5.99. Upon smelling this one, I was pleasantly surprised to smell quite a large amount of booze and a hay-like farm note that had me thinking that maybe this is a Belgian strong pale ale (one of my favorite styles). This isn't as complex as a BSPA, but it does have the horsepower.

T - Graham crackers, freshly mowed hay, and booze. This has a candi sugar flavor to it that I suspect is from the high octane recipe, but its not overly sweet or goopey. This is, in fact, very taught and attenuated, and the flavors are simple but honest. It does have a bit of a Belgian pale ale hop profile though... I wonder if thats what they were going for?

M - Big, strong, and firm. Oh tsssstop it silly! Seriously though, this is a big bastard of a beer.

D - It tastes like a really high quality malt liquor, and I mean that as a compliment. This tastes like what strong brew should taste like, but I can't help thinking that maybe this should be in the BSPA category... thats just the flavor profile that I'm getting. Not bad stuff, honestly. I'd buy it again at this price, but put it on the same $$ shelf as Duvel and there is no contest.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 04:41:29 | More by pmcadamis

DangerVoltage

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +31.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Ok, Ok, this beer is nothing to write home about... untill you look at the pricetag! 5 bucks for a 6 of this bad boy... and 7% ABV. Sign me up.

Want to hear something totally out of line? I think my favorite way to drink this one is on a hot muggy DC summer evening in a glass with plenty of ice cubes. Crazy, I know.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2009 02:58:51 | More by DangerVoltage

RBorsato

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +30.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Hazy golden color with a low-moderate off-white head. Poured fairly thick with slow bubbles and good carbonation. Fruity and light hop aroma at first give way to all malt and grains. Very malty grainy flavor -- Helles/Mai-Bock like for an ale. Medium-full bodied and smooth with a warming alcohol finish.

Tasted fresh a while back and older this time but age did not appear to affect it much due to the ABV.

Assuming this is contract brewed at August Schell since the label states New Ulm, MN.

Date on neck: 02344
Tasted: 09/06/04

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2004 18:51:16 | More by RBorsato

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev +30.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

9/3/2010 - I'm adding a review. This review is of a one year cellared bottle that was kept at less than 45 degrees.

A - One and a half inches of foamy eggshell colored head. Decent stamina on top of a moderately carbonated body of pale yellow. (3.5)

S - Light grain aroma but nothing much here. (2.5)

T - Malty with a very subtle hop presence in the beginning. As the brew finishes there's a deeper hop flavor that offers a bitter taste. The middle and end have a more sweet malty flavor almost that of apricot and bread. It has the cereal flavor of Grape Nuts, and I love Grape Nuts, especially sprinkled with some sugar. This is a tasty brew. (4.5)

M - Thick and filling. This is a chewy and heavy brew that should not be taken for granted. (4.0)

~ I think this beer has increased in overall quality since having been cellared for a year. While the aroma and looks are generally the same. The flavors and feel are real standouts and should be recognized for being so. (4.0)

~~~
11/6/2009 - Original Review.

A - Golden brown body with two plus inches of fasted paced eggshell colored head. There's allot of action in the body too. (3.5)

S - Malt and grains reminding me of Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota. (3.0)

T - It has an almost fruity wheat taste to it. There's certainly an alcohol flavor here but it doesn't overwhelm the brew. It has a slight bitter hops taste that comes in midway through each pull and lasts through the end. (4.0)

M - The feel is relatively light considering the different flavors going on here. It goes down well but I'm not sure yet how it will sit. (3.5)

~ I like this beer. I think its a real easy to drink, light colored brew that I would probably drink more often if I could locate some closer to Central Wisconsin. My lovely wife was kind enough to bring back a six pack for me on a recent trip she took to Northern Illinois. Thanks Hun. (4.0)

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2009 23:04:15 | More by cdkrenz

Monkeyknife

Missouri

3.85/5  rDev +29.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle a crystal clear lemon yellow topped with a bright white head.

Aroma of sweet grains and light malts along with a touch of white grapes and lemon.

The taste is much like the aroma with sweet grains and malts upfront along with light lemon and an herbal fruitiness.

Lighter bodied, slightly sticky, and moderately carbonated.

I found this to be a nice drinkable brew for the summer patio.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2009 19:37:03 | More by Monkeyknife

sklinger990

California

3.8/5  rDev +27.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A. Pretty standard clear pale yellow with less than a finger head that did not stick around. No lacing, but nice trickle of bubbles.

S. Not much to speak of. Faint and slightly sweet.

T. Way better than the aroma. Very balanced. A little sweet and tart with a dry, slightly bitter finish. Nice alcohol warming.

M. Moderate carbonation. Not chewy or thick. It is quite refreshing considering its 7.1 ABV.

I will definatly buy this again. A great beer when I don't want a rich hefe or Belgian ale which are my preference.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2009 07:50:46 | More by sklinger990

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a crystal clear golden colcor with modest white head. Poor retention but nice sticky lacing.

Smell is light, almost to the point of non-existant.

Taste shows a nice fruity sweetness. The is enough hop presence to balance the malt weel. The alcohol is so well hidden that I could not believe it is 7.1%.

Imparts a lingering sweetness that leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth.

Well done beer, way too easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2008 21:05:51 | More by tgbljb

dball

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The fat weasel beer is nothing special but for the price it's totally solid. Trader Joes carries it for $6. It has a good golden color. It pours with very little head. The drinkability of this inexpensive strong ale wins it for me. The taste is a little sweet but solid.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2010 03:24:34 | More by dball

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +25.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Thin-bodied brown in color. A bit of fizzy carbonation and some foam and lacing.

Smell: Some strong fruit, and that's about it. A pleasant smell that I'm guessing hides the alcohol.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Fruity malt initially, followed by a bitter IPA-like hoppiness.

Overall Drinkability: Not an amazing beer, but it hits some nice flavor notes that provides a good balance.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 18:24:06 | More by tjsdomer2

ELN

Washington

3.7/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

another good ol' single from trader joes. the label looks pretty stupid. watchin' hardcore pawn on tv but it's a repeat so i'm doing a review. :)

serving type: in bottle as always
appearance: dunno
smell: hops, citrus. like an ipa
taste: citrus and malt. finishes very clean without too much bitterness.
mouthfeel: regular. maybe a slight bit better.
drinkability: pretty drinkable actually. i'm not much of an ale fan but i'd drink this again.

i like the small bottle. reminds me of the henry weinhard's bottles.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 05:49:41 | More by ELN

TheBungyo

Washington

3.6/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured far lighter than I would've expected with a decent head. No lacing. Body is the color of pale straw. Nose smells like hard candy mixed with hops and a kiss of caramel. I was surprised at the amount of hops I smelled. Taste doesn't do much for me .... either hops or the malt need to commit more ... and neither does. The taste is good, but it's begging for an aspect to dominate and neither does. It reminds me of a dumbed down (extremely dumb) Dreadnaught. I think some other reviewer said this was $4.99 a sixer. This is good enough to be a bargain for that price.If that is the case (I only bought a single so I'm not sure) I would certainly buy this again. Tastes good enough to drink again.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2006 05:14:13 | More by TheBungyo

scottoale

California

3.58/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had a six pack of this sitting in the garage collecting dust, there is a code/date printed on the brown glass:11/27/07 11:39.

It pours a nice liquid gold into a nonic tumbler with a small white 1/8" head that leaves traces of lace and a ring on the surface.

An earthy malt nose with a strong tea and a trace of alcohol are all that my sense of smell can detect. Smells good and malty.

The flavor is very much the same as the smell with a big earthy malt bill up front. The malt dwindles down to a very tea like flavor and finishes rather dry. The alcohol is well masked for a brew of 7.1% ABV.

Decent body and good carbonation, together with a good flavor pan out to a brew thats easy to drink, but nothing special. That's all folk's.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2008 22:48:48 | More by scottoale

allergictomacros

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Clear gold with a good thick head that drops quickly but leaves some decent lace.

S - Fairly malty with pronounced alcohol and some citrus and breadiness. Apricots and apples.

T - Definite alcoholic taste and very malty. Some fruitiness and metallic characteristics as well. Hops are herbal and finish has some bitterness.

M - Medium body with a fine carbonation.

D - Somewhat drinkable for the abv. Malty and alcohol isn't well hidden. Solid beer, but not fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2008 02:36:55 | More by allergictomacros

mactrail

California

3.58/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Rich and strong like a light bock but a little deeper on the hops. Looks nice in the chalice, amber color with a decent head. Pleasant in the mouth with a robust body. Tastes stronger than it is. Sharp edge with a big hint of candied fruit. Long aftertaste with bitter hops, almost a Belgian raspiness. Some dark flavors like burnt raisins and toast.

I don't know why so many souls hate this stuff-- it would be the greatest malt liquor on the planet if you bought it in a flashy tall can. I'd blind taste this with the Dogfish or the Rogue malts and see who comes out best.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 05:06:30 | More by mactrail

vtfan77

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Pale gold, actually has a decent head thanks to a vigorous pour.

S- Nice sweet malt aroma with some fruity esters. Alcohol is quite evident.

T- Very sweet, almost honey-like. It also has some kind of vanilla-like flavor in there. Alcohol isn't as evident as it was in the nose, but you can still detect it. No real hop flavor, but there is a mild bitterness on the finish.

M- Actually pretty nice. Medium bodied and very smooth. Almost kind of creamy.

D- Well, I might have one more, but that's it. The alcohol presence is a little high.

I was expecting not to like this beer due to its lackluster reviews and dirt-cheap price, but it really wasn't all that bad. Hell, I might even get it again. Certainly nothing spectacular, but hey, for less than 5 bucks a six-pack, It's pretty good. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2007 00:10:43 | More by vtfan77

PhantomVodoo

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Golden color with an off-white head.
Aroma of sweet pale malts, some hops, and also alcohol.

Taste is a bit off. There's a solvent like flavor that you don't have to search for. Not overwhelming, but obvious. Sweet malts with some hop bitterness to balance. Sweetness dominates. Some hop bitterness present, but there doesn't seem to be much hop flavor. Bitterness lingers a bit at the finish. The 7.1% ABV seems a bit out of place in this beer.

Good mouthfeel.
Drinkability knocked back a notch due to the off flavor.
Overall this might be a pretty good beer if they correct the solvent like taste. Could use a bigger hop presence IMO.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2003 15:32:18 | More by PhantomVodoo

bgildea

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Light copperish amber color. Thin white head with rather large bubbles that left some lacing.

S: Slight almost citrus aroma. Then some barley or hops later.

T: Slight citrus and hops hit you, very light for a "Strong Ale." Nothing too great.

M: Relatively thick beer for an ale. Pretty good mouthfeel to it.

D: For $1 at Trader Joes, and a 7.1 ABV, it's very drinkable. Not impressive, but definitely delivers for a $1 beer.

Overall: Overall the beer was decent. Slight citrus and hops reminds me more of an IPA than an American Strong Ale. For $1 at Trader Joes, it's a good deal for drinking in quantity. But there are definitely better Strong Ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2010 00:21:50 | More by bgildea

kneeland

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I thought the color would be a lot darker than it was, but it was intriguing enough. It almost tasted like it was trying to be a Guiness knock-off, but wasn't nearly as good. That's not to say it wasn't a good beer. I sensed a little toffee sweetness, with malt boldness.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 15:09:09 | More by kneeland

Gusler

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On the pour a cloudless amber color and the head portly in size, somewhat creamy in texture, the color an off white as it dissolves, the lace formed is a fine sheet to conceal the glass. Nose is citrus crisp and malt sweet, pleasant to the senses with the start malt sweet, top is a bit thin. Finish has a crisp acidity, the hops noticeable but not overpowering, very dry and a drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2003 22:43:53 | More by Gusler

granger10

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Obtained at Trader Joe's while in Dayton, Ohio for some kind of ridiculously cheap price.

Pours a clear amber color with a large creamy white head. Looks almost like a macro with its transparency but I really like the sticky lacing and carbonation of this beer.

Smells like an alcohol pineapple. Then there's caramel in there too and some residual sugars.

Lots of caramel malts and alcohol in the flavor. This beer really is overly sweet and the caramel flavor gets rather tiresome after a bit, but I still like it. Alcohol might be a little too strong as well but it makes this beer a decent sipper. Hops are nowhere to be found.

Really not that bad considering how cheap it was, but nothing to write home about either.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2005 22:27:18 | More by granger10

TheMarkE

California

3.5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Decent amount of foam and lacing.

Smell: Malts and hops, slightly fruity.

Taste: Nicely balanced between sweet malts and hops. Not too bitter, but enough of a hop presence to give it some flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, fairly smooth. Leaves a slight bit of "beer" taste behind, similar to the adjunct brews.

The Verdict: Pretty good brew. Another one of Trader Joe’s line of affordable beers, this one is my favorite so far. Easily worth the $5.99 price, you get a strong 7.1% pale ale. It is labeled River Trent Brewing, but is probably from Mendocino.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 21:35:11 | More by TheMarkE

Frozensoul327

Michigan

3.45/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A different kind of ASA. Poured out to a clear golden yellow color, leading me to initially think this was a crappy macro in a dressed up label. Luckily I was wrong. Small white head over the beer, iwth small notions of lace around the interior of the glass. Not bad. Aromas of yeast and malt, with a sweet overtone to the overall smell. Nice. Taste was along the same lines; flavors of malts, sweet bread, yeast, sour apple and grain met in relative harmony. Good complexity. Mouthfeel was fair, but the carbonation could've been upped just a touch to bring out the nuances of the brew. Only average drinkability; this is a pretty good beer, but I don't think it would find it's way to my cellar or fridge all that often. It's not bad, but not an everyday brew. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2005 02:51:35 | More by Frozensoul327

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Cloudy, golden yellow color. Thin head, no lace.

Fermented honey aroma. Strong lactose smells as well. Strong vanilla with a touch of lemon.

Some citrus featuring a noteable sourness. Orange/lemon. Very dry for the style. Some surprising hop bitterness shows up in the swallow. Highly carbonated, with a moderate body.

Here's another unusual brew that defies description from the style. Interesting enough to try, but non-descript enough to pass on the second offering.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2005 01:11:34 | More by smcolw