Fat Weasel Ale - Steinhaus Brewing Co.

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev +30.4%
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

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.15/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Aroma is fairly strong and malty, not complex but still inviting. It pours a nice clear golden amber with a fairly thick though not persistent white head. Flavor is malty, a little crisp, slightly fruity and slightly bitter. Texture is smooth, somewhat thick and just a little tingly. Not too shabby.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2009 18:27:48 | More by Cyberkedi

RJUGA03

Illinois

2.63/5  rDev -12%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-extremely pale yellow transparent color with live effervescent carbonation flowing to the top with an outer thin chalky & spotted head.
S-Cheap and simply
T-Sweet unremarkable draw with a somewhat bitter lingering ale aftertaste.
M-Thick and strong leaving one with a dry aftertaste.
D-The one positive to this beer is it's ABV being at 7.1% and paying a dollar each beer it's not terrible.

This was contract brewed by Augusta Schell in New Ulm,MN.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2009 06:37:03 | More by RJUGA03

Monkeyknife

Missouri

3.85/5  rDev +28.8%
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

jwinship83

Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle picked up at Trader Joes with a wonderful one dollar price tag. cant beat that. drank out of a standard pint glass, and i really have no idea what to expect from this one.

A- this one pours a golden colored body with a moderate off white head on it. the head lasts only a minute before becoming downgraded to crown and leaves small spots of lacing on the sides of my glass.

S- caramel malts, no hops, and alcohol. yikes.

T- the taste was very similar to the smell unfortunately. sweet caramel malts and burning alcohol. that is all.

M- medium bodied and overly carbonated.

D- this strikes me as the craft beer drinkers alternative to malt liquor. cheap, doesnt taste very good, and packs an alcoholic punch. if thats what youre into, check it out. not really for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2009 03:10:35 | More by jwinship83

CWiggins

North Carolina

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

My better-half picked up two bottles of this ale at Trader Joe's in Chapel Hill, NC. I've not seen it in any other local (or otherwise) store.

It pours a dark gold, with a short-lived head of soda-like bubbles. Not much of an aroma to speak of, but a mild combination of grain and caramel is noticeable with a big sniff. The flavor is not as bold as many in this style, but the medium-large ABV makes it feel boozy. What one might taste is caramel, mild malts, grain, and just a touch of hops at the finish.

Not much here, but it's certainly not objectionable. The ABV might knock you over if not taken seriously.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2009 01:00:25 | More by CWiggins

DangerVoltage

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +31.4%
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

zeff80

Missouri

3.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a clear, bubbly, pale gold color with a foamy, white, two-finger head. It left minimal lace.

S - It smelled of caramel and alcohol. There wasn't much else.

T - It tasted of caramel malt and some boozy alcohol. It was very sweet and rich.

M - It was soft and smooth. A medium bodied ale.

D - This is an interesting beer. Classified as an American Strong Ale, it seems to fit. It's fairly strong and boozy but not very hoppy so it fits as a strong ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2009 00:06:14 | More by zeff80

porterwoobie

North Carolina

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

A: light, pale yellow/orange color, slight white head

S: alcohol, grainy, and yeast smell

T: clean taste that really doesn't linger long on the tastebuds. first thing noticed is some maltiness, but that is quickly overshadowed by the higher ABV in the beer.

MF: moderate body

Drinkability: it was ok. i'll drink it again, but mostly because of the price i paid, not because of the quality.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2009 01:00:03 | More by porterwoobie

pmcadamis

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +34.8%
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

MTNboy

Germany

2.42/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

It has a very metallic aroma which pretty much overrides all other odors. There is a mild hint of malt. I cannot say there were anything really as far as head just a few bubbles. There was no lace to speak of either just a ring. The body is a golden orange color with some bubbles. The taste is metallic at first but it is candy and cereal like as well. It has a warming feeling to it. It has a dog food like aftertaste. Overall it is a thin beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2009 18:48:38 | More by MTNboy

cnjohn19

North Carolina

2.78/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

So the best part about this beer is the pour...left full circles of lace around my pint glass and poured a thick white head...smells are tough to decipher, def. a typical American malt and a tad of sweetness...Taste is bitter to me and a little tough down the throat...not much flavor for a 7%er in my opinion...

Do give this beer a "Good" for Drinkability because its sure to give you a nice buzz if that's what you're after for $1/bottle (if you frequent your nearest Trader Joe's)...

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2009 02:13:37 | More by cnjohn19

Pauly2X

Wisconsin

3.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Slightly hazy gold with a light green tinge, nice 1 1/2 half finger head.

S- Good solid sweet malt aroma with some light fruity esters.

T- The begining malt flavor has alot of smooth sweet flavor. At mid point it kinda fizzles out to make way for a dry hop note that is coupled with some pleasant fruity esters. Finish is smooth and clean, almost too clean. Alcohol is present but not offensive.

M- Pretty thin for a strong ale, but smooth.

D- Very thirst quenching for a beer of its size.

Not bad, but it falls short of what I expect from a strong ale. Still, overall it was enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2009 00:01:59 | More by Pauly2X

ATLbeerDog

Georgia

2.8/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a straw/golden color with just a tad of haze. A thick frothy 2 finger white head tops the beer. Smells of corn, malt, and cereal grains. First sip is more reminiscent of an American Light lager than an ale. Mouthfeel is quite good - creamy and well carbonated. The 7% ABV is well hidden. Not too bad...just not very good.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2009 18:59:32 | More by ATLbeerDog

sklinger990

California

3.8/5  rDev +27.1%
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

argock

Virginia

2.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured from 12oz brown bottle into a clear pint glass. No freshness date readily apparent. Single purchased at Trader Joe's for $1.

A: Clear straw-golden color with frothy nearly-white 1-finger head with so-so retention but respectable lacing.

S: A bit of fruity aroma and some alcohol

T: This beer was one that got worse the further into it I got. Initially my response was "Hey, this is pretty good." It tasted very sweet from lightly toasted pale and caramel malts with not a lot else except a sharp, dry finish. With very little warming, however, more harsh graininess and fusel alcohol flavors came through, where at the closing few ounces, there were more style characteristics similar to a malt liquor. High octane alcohol flavor at the end.

M: Very creamy and smooth at the outset but again very boozy at the end with a high-alcohol finish.

D: Drinkability is down due to the high-alcohol attributes. Maybe you should just drink the first half and drink it very cold.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2009 04:12:00 | More by argock

HalfFull

California

2.75/5  rDev -8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear golden with an almost nonexistent head into a pint glass from a 12 oz. bottle.

Smell is primarily of orangy malts with just a hint of hops, which are rather elusive and tend to hide, kind of like a fat weasel. By mid pint the hops do open up to some degree, but are generally overwhelmed by the malt nose.

Sweet citric flavor on the tongue, bit of honey but not viscous or heavy. Reminded me initially of flat orange soda in a sense. Decent carbonation(for beer, thus the flat soda comment) and feel. This beer improves after the initial shock to the point of acceptability, but never gets beyond that level. Fat Weasel is assumably another Firestone Walker concoction, and given the overwhelming nectar orange flavor found in many of their brews, I would assume so.

Not impressed, but then I didn't really expect to be. Bit lager like on the nose towards the end of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2009 03:55:40 | More by HalfFull

Tone

Missouri

2.63/5  rDev -12%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear, golden yellow. 1/4 inch head with slight retention and no lacing. Smells of a lager with some sweet malt and possibly some adjunct. Fits the style. Has a sweet malty flavor with a lager background. There is a nasty kick to this beer (similar to vodka), a strong puckering. Overall, this beer started out with some potential and then quickly went down hill until it ended up with that nasty sour kick.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2008 00:50:56 | More by Tone

barleywinefiend

Washington

2.53/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Picked up from Trader Joes and it was a mistake..
Poured a deep gold, nice head, fair lace and carbonation. Mild malt on the nose, hints of hops but nothing overbearing. Taste is smooth, a mild hint of malt giving it a sweet feel and a bitter hop finish. Well this brew didn't do much for me, kind of one dimensional at best. Looks good but looks can be deceiving...

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2008 22:29:13 | More by barleywinefiend

Pencible

Virginia

3.35/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This poured a bright, clear gold with white head. It smelled like sweet and creamy yeast with a bit of honey malt and lemon hops. It tasted like creamy yeast and sweet lemon hops, with a bit of copper hops and fresh wheat malt. It was oily with a bit of carbonation, and had a mildly bitter aftertaste. Overall this was very clean and easy to drink. It had nice body, and had a simple and enjoyable flavor. This just seemed like it was missing something, which makes it very forgettable. The weasel needs more kick!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2008 22:11:29 | More by Pencible

allergictomacros

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev +19.7%
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

Seanibus

California

3.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not bad - better than some of the other Steinhaus offerings I have tried, but a little hard to categorize. It comes off almost like a strong American Wheat.

Pours a slightly hazy yellow with a fluffy head that falls quickly to decent lacing. Slightly sour aroma, like a mix of wheat and pilsener malt. The flavor is decent, a little sour, some slight hop bitterness on the end. The mouthfeel is thin, slightly clingy, emphasizing the very slight bitterness down the throat on teh finish. Overall, however, this is a drinkable but entirely unmemorable beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2008 20:58:53 | More by Seanibus

andrewm190

North Carolina

3.15/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer almost brings to mind a very, very light stout. The brew holds a bit sweet with a very light coffee tone in the back, although its so light I admit this could be my imagination. In the end, its a passable, but not altogether glorious ale. You get your moneys worth, I suppose, but you can certainly find others to enjoy. The finest qualities this brew possess are a moderately hilarious title and picture, combined with a hearty 7.1 alcohol by volume content.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 02:47:52 | More by andrewm190

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.38/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours from the bottle with a tan colored head that rises to three-fingers in height. The beer is a brilliantly clear, copper color that shows a rich gold hue when held up to the light. The aroma is quit malt focused with notes of biscuit-like malts, toffee and some crushed cracker notes. A touch of fruitiness and a light herbal note round things out for this soft nose.

Lightly sweet tasting and fuller bodied than I was expecting; it coats the mouth a bit and is on the chewy side for a beer that I was expecting to be lower in alcohol. There is also quite a bit more hop flavor and character than I was expecting; this has a solid herbal note to it, a noticeable grapefruit like hoppiness and a solid, lingering bitterness in the finish. Toasty malt note contribute soft caramel flavors, biscuit-like grain notes and a very soft nuttiness. The hop character seems to fade a bit after a while, and it becomes a bit more malt accented. There is a touch of alcohol warming in the finish as well.

Another Trader Joes beer that is far better than I was expecting. The aroma is a bit bland, but this is packed with a surprising amount of flavor; the strength of this beer obviously helps as I was expecting this to be around 4% and not the 7.2% that it is at. Not quite something that I can see myself buying again, but if handed this at a BBQ I would be quite content.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2008 02:14:58 | More by Gueuzedude

WillieMoe

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Picked this up over at Trader Joe's. It was a $1 for the bottle so I figured I'd give it a whirl.

A- Pours a very light golden color, with very little head retention.

S- The first whiff, had that hint of skunkiness I usually find in a pilsner, but it was faint. Overall the smell was pretty bland.

T- Seemed kind of boring with the first sip, but got better as I got deeper down. Picked up a slight hint of cider in there. It had a bit of a sugary sweetness on the tongue.

D- This is very drinkable, and you definitely can't tell it's got a 7.10% ABV.

Overall a decent brew, that is quite drinkable. And a frickin' steal for only a $1 in Boston. I guess pretty much anywhere for that matter.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2008 22:43:04 | More by WillieMoe