Ouisconsing Red Ale - Central Waters Brewing Company

ibashmuck

Wisconsin

1.85/5  rDev -47.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

Purchased as part of "build-your-own-six-pack" at local grocer. Poured small head on a dark amber body. Smelled fruity and floral, with a snap of citrus at the end. Sadly, the only thing I could taste was the citrus, and it was much too strong for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2008 14:52:44 | More by ibashmuck

Buebie

Minnesota

2.05/5  rDev -42.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

The pour produces a decent sized frothy off white head, hanging out for a while leaving a good cap. Lace is sticky with great cling age. Color has some mild red in a caramel goldish amber. Transparent filtered looking. Could be a bit darker really as this resembles more of an amber ale then a true red.

Aroma has left me empty handed, it really smells like nothing. Except for mild grainy malt, and a very small grassy hop.

Mouthfeel is somwhat thin with just a light slickness and abundance of carbonation.

Taste has also left me high and dry. Very little flavor in here other then some cara 60 rasiny malt backing and a sharp cheese kind of hop funk.

Not pleased...

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2010 04:48:04 | More by Buebie

HumuloneRed

Oregon

2.25/5  rDev -36.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I picked up this 12 oz. bottle with some others when my wife and I went on a 6 day road trip to Madison, WI for the Great Taste of the Midwest in '07.
The beer pours a slightly cloudy dark red with an off white head and silky lacing.
The nose not only hops and malt but also n some off-putting sour notes. The beer taste good. But it could taste a lot better. I can tell it had good hop and malt balance but the sourness from the aroma is there in the flavor as well. I did hang on to it to long but you would think a red ale that is well hopped beer like this one would up more than 5 months (most the time under refrigeration). I had a similar problem with another CW beer. Short shelf life could mean there were (or are) some issue at the brewery. I will try it again next time I find some.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2008 05:11:55 | More by HumuloneRed

BeerBelcher

Ohio

2.3/5  rDev -35.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

As much as I’ve been impressed with other Central Waters beers, I was genuinely not impressed with this beer. An attractive appearance led to an indistinct aroma and odd flavor.

Appearance was a bright, clear, brilliant red. Aroma was virtually non-existent. Flavor was strangely metallic and liquorice-y, which was not what I expected. I did not detect the "nutty" flavor discussed in the original description. Mouthfeel was a bit thin, but not really remarkable one way or another.

Can’t say I’d recommend this beer...particularly not given that places that sell this also likely sell some of the various wonderful stouts from this brewery.

I picked up this bottle from 3 Cellars in Franklin, WI.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2007 14:44:07 | More by BeerBelcher

chickenflea

Florida

2.6/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tried this beer in a sample pack on my way through WI. It produced a soapy beige head on a clear red-brown body. Malts and a touch of herbal hops in the nose. Fruit malts in the flavor with herbal bitter piney notes. Touch of chocolate in the taste was unexpected and not welcome in a scotch ale. Strange metallic taste as well. Might have been a bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 02:59:19 | More by chickenflea

hopdog

Pennsylvania

2.63/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle.

Poured a medium copper color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of caramel, floral, and buttery. Tastes of caramel, nutty, grainy and a light butteriness. That butteriness detracted from the overall experience. Bad bottle? I bought this while on vacation in WI and opened it the next day...

Notes from: 7/24/07

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 20:00:11 | More by hopdog

cokes

Wisconsin

2.65/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Overly murky copper with a short-lived bone-colored head.
Citrus hops overlay some mustiness on the nose.
Decent intially (and cold), as the hopping is in control. Somewhat sharpe and citric, though not very bitter. Touches of burnt crust, raisin and chocolate in the background.
Once this begins to warm, it udderly collapses. Becomes mushy, yet harsh and astringent. Gauze-pad like medicinals. Encroaching and invasive tartness. Earthy mud-like qualities replace the chocolate and the hops are muted.

Drink this fast and cold or feel its wrath. A let down from Central Waters.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2003 14:48:13 | More by cokes

Skidz

Wisconsin

2.68/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours out dark copper with a small head that fades fast to the sides. Smells of hops and some citrus. When put to mouth, this beer doesn't live up to expectations. The citrus tones combined with a slight bitterness rip through this leaving your tounge feel like it was just attached to a 9volt battery. I did like the way it ran around my mouth, as it was particularly smooth and refreshing. I could drink a couple of these at a time, but not many more.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2004 19:22:55 | More by Skidz

hardy008

Minnesota

2.68/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours an amber color with a small off white head with fair retention and spotty lacing. The aroma has biscuit malt, a little caramel, and a some hops.

The taste is just like the aroma with biscuit malt, a little caramel, and some hops. Bready, slightly sweet, with a little hop bitterness. Somewhat bland, since the biscuit malt stands out the most.

Medium bodied, average carbonation, somewhat crisp. A bit disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 01:03:57 | More by hardy008

Atricapilla

Pennsylvania

2.73/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer was a bit disappointing, considering I like reds so much...Pours a copper brown color, with a medium sized head. There was a predominately caramel and malt flavor to this brew, a little sweet (not cloyingly) with no hint of sourness. The aroma primarily consisted of malt and a little hint of floral tomes. Goes down okay, but I was just a bit disappointed...

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2009 01:37:42 | More by Atricapilla

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

2.83/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Deep amber body, topped by threee fingers plus of off-white foam, bubbling away.

Slight hay/grass aroam with ahint of bakery, but really nothing to speak of.

Semi-sweet beginning, balanced quickly by earthy hops. Slightly lingering malty aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is halfway between light and medium. Ok drinkability as there are no flaws, but not particularly memorable either.

An ok red ale, one to accept when offered, but not one to feverishly hunt down.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 21:53:41 | More by RonfromJersey

lampkins

Wisconsin

2.9/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I have been looking for Central Waters brews for quite awhile so I was pleased to discover this beer at a local store. However, after tasting this beer I was left unimpressed and hope that their other beers are better than this.

The beer poured a hazy copper color with no head of foam. The beer was rather bland ala Killian's red. No real malty taste and nothing spectaculor to speak of.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2004 12:54:35 | More by lampkins

abents

Wisconsin

2.93/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber bown with a thin white head with nice lacing. Aroma is stricly hops here as with most Central Waters brews. Slight citrus notes as well. Tastes of citrusy hops and thats about it.. not too impressive. Drys out the mouth but goes down smoothly. Pretty drinkable brew, but nothing too amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2004 17:36:36 | More by abents

gatornation

Minnesota

3.03/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pours a very dark red/rust color with a nice head and lacing thrru-out..the rest is just average.. the smell is malt and caramel with some spice and hop smell..the taste is malt forward with some caramel and some vanilla taste..not much hops in this one ..the mouthfeel is creamy and smooth..not bad here it kind of stays in your mouth awhile..overall just an average red not great but not bad..not reccomended but i will say give it a try

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2009 01:34:15 | More by gatornation

yaegerje

Minnesota

3.03/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Small white head, copper/orange/red color, clear, not a bad looking beer
S - Mostly malt and hops, I can't detect any other notes, plain.
T - The only off-flavors I can detect are a little metallic taste that lingers a bit, nice malty bite with some trailing hops
M - Bright carbonation, yet smooth, pretty good
D - Bought a six-pack, probably the last I'll be buying of it. Tastes a lot like Killian's to me, and that's cheaper if I want an off the shelf Red Ale, pretty average microbrew. Sorry Amherst.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2011 05:28:52 | More by yaegerje

svraines

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Went with a pint of CW Red on my way to a Badger hockey game, instead of a safer bet of porter that I hear is good.

Very little head on my pour, but carbonation sent up rings of foam after every drink. Dark, hazy amber color that didn't clear up as it warmed.

Metallic-malty smell, in store for some sweetness. Subtle floweriness, in fact very subtle after I consumed some of their IPA.

This one has an overwhelming crystal malt flavor (think of the note you get in SA Boston lager x10+). The sweetness doesn't linger or become cloying, but I just think it is too sweet.

Fairly thick in your mouth, but again doesn't get to a level where it is a bad thing. Pretty heavy for a beer under 5%, could be good or bad thing.

I was getting full by the end of the pint.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2008 18:46:02 | More by svraines

LJArsenal

Wisconsin

3.13/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Picked up a sixer of this bottled on 1-23-09. Pours a deep red-brown with a half-inch head with little to no lacing. I'm underwhelmed with the smell of this beer - mostly malt - but not all that inviting. There really isn't a whole lot to speak of. Taste consists of caramel, malt, and hops. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium amount of carbonation. This one sticks to the back of the tongue and leaves a bit of the bitterness in the hops. Overall this an average red. I'm a big fan of Central Waters and had high expectations for this one, but in the end it comes up a bit short.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2009 19:06:40 | More by LJArsenal

dankster

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thank you to Jamie for this beer.

A- deep red brown with fluffy white head that leaves good lace on glass

S- Big malts almost oktoberfest like. Bread and oily wood

T- Biscuit and bread malts forward with some lingering hops in the back. a little spicy herbs also tasted

M- very easy drinker. goes down with no problems

O- More like a Oktoberfest IMO. but a solid red ale. not something i would reach for on a regular basis but glad i got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 20:31:37 | More by dankster

CaptainIPA

Wisconsin

3.2/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy, rusty amber with a one-finger head that quickly fades to a thin rim of sticky lacing.

S: Subtle flowery nose with suggestions of caramel malt and honey.

T: Smooth and mellow with nut-like notes and hints of biscuit upfront. Aptly balanced between roasted malts and bitter hopping. Taste improves as it warms: caramel sweetness and honey tones eventually surface. Finishes slightly bitter.

Overall profile lacks a distinct personality. Kind of mild-mannered. Not as flavorful, complex, or interesting as other Central Waters' offerings.

M: Medium-boded and well-carbonated.

D: Sessionable, for sure -- just not compelling enough to consume more than one.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2008 19:07:28 | More by CaptainIPA

jtinks

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

After a whirlwind weekend in Milwaukee, I had to stop by my favorite beer store across the state line to stock up on all the lovely brews unavailable in Illinois. I had never had any of Central Brewing's beers before, but I'm a sucker for packaging, and the utilitarian brown cardboard box intrigued me. They had three different ones, if memory serves, and I picked the Ouisconsing Red Ale.

Had a bottle later that night, straight from the neck. Overall...not bad...a bit hoppier than I like my beers, but not overpowering. I probably wouldn't buy it again, but I wouldn't turn one down if somebody offered it to me. I would try other beers from this brewery though.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2009 21:55:37 | More by jtinks

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.23/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Central Waters Ouisconsing Red Ale, Microbrew for the Microfew, …there's some words on the sides for when I want to cock my head. Let's read it later, as we do. By which I mean me. The royal me.

Clear, amber, small whitish head.

Aroma: malt malt malt. red. sweet, just balanced enough. A kiss of the hops. Right on red ale aromatics.

Taste: There it is again, the malt malt malt, and the sweet, just curbed enough so things don't go awry. Tasty, tasty with the malty malty. Dries out nicely in the finish. Very enjoyable, excellent sessioner. For those searcher for a nice, uncomplicated amber/red that's geared for one-after-another drinkin'….take one of these, and another, please.

Now, let's see what they say: "This smooth amber ale with it's mellow nutty flavor and subtle flowery nose is a hit with even the newest of specialty beer drinkers. Named for the Algonquin word for the Wisconsin river, Ouisconsing Red makes even our neighbors to the west and south "want to be a badger."

So, Minnesota wants to be a badger because of this beer, as well as Illinois and Iowa, but not Michigan or Ontario? Whatever, Wisconsin...WHAT...ever.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 08:17:03 | More by feloniousmonk

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass.

3.5 A: Clear orange amber color. One fingers of frothy white head. Retention is about average and a short ring of lacing is left.

3.0 S: Grainy malts with a light toastiness and a touch of earthy hoppiness. Otherwise, clean without a lot going on.

3.5 T: Like the nose, this is grainy and toasty. A bigger hop presence is found though. Earthy flavor with a moderate bitterness.

3.0 M: Lighter medium to medium body. Upper end of what I want the carbonation to be, but the bigger problem is that it's a bit bity. Otherwise okay.

3.0 D: Solidly average brew. That's about all there is to say.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 19:45:45 | More by DavoleBomb

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a pint glass. Appearance is amber with a sligt off white head. Nose brings light pine and floral hops with some biscuit malt. Taste is mostly malt with a tad bit of earthy bread. Light to medium feel. Drinkability is pretty good, but this is pretty tame overall.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 16:37:40 | More by Thorpe429

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean and clear copper tinted amber with little spots of head left after an aggressive pour. Scent is malt forward, light caramel with notes of earthy hops. Taste has a few more notes to add... biscuity and caramely malts are the star as the hops lean towards earthy with some flowery qualities. Would have liked the hops kicked up a bit. Overall very lightly sweet with touch of bitterness. Lower side of medium bodied. One of those occasions where nothing in particular about a beer jumped out at me as being completely fantastic nor completely off - just an easy drinker with some flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 16:34:35 | More by rfgetz

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

3.3/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a clear amber with 2 fingers of beige head.

S - Slight caramel and toasted grain with a subtle hop aroma.

T - Biscuit with a slight spicy hoppiness. Some caramel and toasted malt qualities but for some reason the flavors just don't seem to blend together well.

M - Light bodied and slightly creamy with a dry chalky finish.

D - There was nothing bad about this beer but there was really nothing that stood out either.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2006 00:05:41 | More by brewcrew76