Glacier Ale - Red Lodge Ales

GeezLynn

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle picked up in Miles City, MT. Got a few stares taking this to register at the gas station, but it was 9 in the AM....

Appearance is a dark amber/brown with a rugged white head that settles into suds. Aroma suggests lager to me with sweet caramel and toasted brown malts and a little yeasty. Simple but nice. Flavor starts off slightly sweet and bready and melds into a brash hit of toasted (bordering on burnt) malt. Malty flavors are followed up with very bitter grassy hops. Sharp contrast but seems to work.

Light mouthfeel with moderate carbonation and crisp dry finish. Again, works well with the flavors.

Listed here as a Kolsch. Not a chance. Bottle says “Amber Ale, website says “modeled after altbier”. Seems to have hybrid qualities. Regardless of label, it’s definitely got more attitude than appearance would suggest. A little rough around the edges, but in a good way.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 04:02:06 | More by GeezLynn

gromnir

Michigan

3/5  rDev -13.3%

04-05-2013 03:20:24 | More by gromnir

DiggerDahl

North Dakota

3.25/5  rDev -6.1%

02-27-2013 14:01:35 | More by DiggerDahl

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

there just arent enough altbiers out there anymore. this one takes on a major american red malt persona, lacking any of the original german identity, but still quite tasty. pours dense brick red in color, with a short lived inch of off white head. the nose is dry red malt, almost like an irish brew, but with more sweetness than that, and the crispness apparent of a lager. flavor actually has some yeast pep to it, much to my surprise, but it could use some hops, especially on the back end where this baby finishes too sweet for my palate. its crisp though nevertheless, and the texture is spot on with excellent carbonation, a sessionable medium body. i would only like to see the abv come up to the mid 6% range and wipe out the residual sugar. that would make this a wonderful beer in my world, but as it is, its an affordable, drinkable, and unique 6pack. i was happy with my purchase. seasonally just right too, here on the back side of winter.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 20:10:37 | More by StonedTrippin

AndrewMichael

Virginia

3/5  rDev -13.3%

11-17-2012 20:53:32 | More by AndrewMichael

tbone1384

Wyoming

3.75/5  rDev +8.4%

11-11-2012 14:51:06 | More by tbone1384

GaryMarkle84

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

11-10-2012 19:43:23 | More by GaryMarkle84

Yjt2

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

09-18-2012 03:36:05 | More by Yjt2

Ivanhoes_Backpack

New Brunswick (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -27.7%

09-01-2012 06:34:17 | More by Ivanhoes_Backpack

a77cj7

South Dakota

3/5  rDev -13.3%

08-17-2012 05:12:33 | More by a77cj7

spark3148857

New York

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

07-28-2012 00:02:12 | More by spark3148857

slimntubbs

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

01-30-2012 05:54:40 | More by slimntubbs

Jspriest

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev +1.2%

01-13-2012 21:06:24 | More by Jspriest

TheDeuce

New York

2.3/5  rDev -33.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Red Lodge Glacier Ale..on tap at Red Lodge Mountain

Appearance-pale white gold, medium build head, bubbles are a little lax.

Smell-light malt and hops, fusel alcohol and grain notes

Taste/Mouthfeel-sweet up front, muddled, alcohol is well hidden, not very smooth, balanced finish near the end. Odd for this type of style.

Drinkability-not refreshing, muddled. Doesn't work all the time.

Overall-I'm a little stunned and may need to get another batch of this, I love this style of beer and on all other beers Red Lodge nailed the styles, will have to try again, for now I'm dissapointed.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2010 18:55:51 | More by TheDeuce

champ103

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear dark reddish amber color. A one finger white head forms, and recedes to a ring. Very light lace is left behind.
S: Malty sweet. Some caramel and light fruity aromas.
T: Very malty. A great balance of caramel malt and floral hops. A depth of flavor that was missing in the nose.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Very easy and smooth to drink. An easy choice for a session beer.

A very enjoyable beer. Something to look for if ever in Red Lodge.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2009 07:38:41 | More by champ103

berley31

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured with a small, off-white head that diminished to a thin film. Body was clear with a dark reddish-brown color. Very nice aroma of roasted malt. Light on the palate, slightly creamy texture with soft carbonation. Nice flavor - lightly sweet with a roasted edge that helped the beer go down really smooth. Definitely one I could have again, if not necessarily something to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2009 00:25:45 | More by berley31

Kindsdaddy

Montana

4.1/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorite ales. I've had bottle and tap, both very good. I'm more of Porter, Scotch Ale fan. I don't like the heavy hop, bitter ales. Not too bitter or too sweet, so right on for an ale for me. If you like a drinkable well rounded beer this is a good one.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2009 13:27:37 | More by Kindsdaddy

ALESwhatCURESya

Wisconsin

3.1/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Brought back from Montana by my sister.

A-Highly unlikely this is a Kolsch beer, but that is what BA has it listed as. Deep Amber-red clear body.

S-Smells like a bag full of grains. Smells good to me as a homebrewer, but may be a little off for others.

T&M-Definately a nice array of roasted grains. It seems as though they used a lot of vienna malt. This may have been an attempt at an Octoberfest. Mouthfeel is a bit grainy and not well balanced.

D-Not a bad beer to try but not a staple for me. Hops do come across nicely for thos looking for a little hop kick to an amber ale like this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2006 23:53:01 | More by ALESwhatCURESya

geexploitation

Indiana

3/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours root beer colored with minimal head and inactive carbonation. Smells of dusty chardonnay grapes, dry grains and not much else. Taste is similarly blank, with clear grain flavors predominating, accompanied by metals and slight hints of apples. Relatively inert mouthfeel to go with a blank but easy drinking beer. Nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2006 03:12:33 | More by geexploitation

jhammerly

Nebraska

3.63/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to loren01 for sending this extra beer in a trade.

Pours mahogany with a nice cream colored head about 2" thick.

Aroma of fig, maybe some chocolate, a definite sweetness to it. I am kind of reminded of a Fig Newton, even though it has been awhile since I have had one.

The taste is a little bolder than a typical amber, almost Bock-like in a way, just not as sweet. Some very mild hop bitterness. Aftertaste lingers a bit, not to turn off anyone, but it tastes to me slightly like ash. But not it's not a terrible flavor.

A light to medium body.

Drinkability is good. This beer can be paired with about anything and in any situation. Not a lot of complexity, but a good solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2006 01:01:27 | More by jhammerly

blackie

Virginia

4/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance: The pour creates a thin cream colored head that soon recedes. The beer is a deep chestnut brown in color.

smell: Very nice aroma here. The aroma is of dried, dark fruit and a nutty, woody, earthy type aroma all at once. There's even a hint of peat in there. Very light noble hop aroma.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is on the far low end of the medium range. The body is medium or just a little lighter.

taste: Nice dark dried fruit flavors and a pronounced nuttines are the first things I notice, though the fruits are light in character. The flavor is malt oriented, with a moderate sweetness. Hints of very watery coffee and chocolate, and some earthy woodiness. The aroma and flavor are both somewhat reminiscent of a scotch ale. Light noble hop flavor and bitterness. Subtletey is the word for this one.

drinkability: A good beer, and easily drinkable.

Received in a trade with loren01. No notch on the freshness dating thingy

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2006 23:19:56 | More by blackie

loren01

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Poured a dark amber color into pint glass. Good lacing observed, very minimal carbonation, however there is a good 2 finger sized head. Smell is very good. Smells of roasted nuts, caramel and coffee. Tastes very good also. Reminds me of some brown ales that I've had before. The bottle says that it is a "Flavorful amber ale, brewed in the German Altbier Tradition". Taste is sweet at first with a very nutty taste. Not very bitter, maybe a slight bit in the aftertaste. There is also a slight metallic aftertaste that was kind of funky. Mouthfeel is slightly flat, but overall not too bad. I bought this bottle at Osco Drug in Billings and it tastes slightly different than I've had before at the brewery. I remember it to be darker and with more of a bite to it, so I'm thinking I just got a slightly old bottle. Overall this is a great beer. I really like Red Lodge ales and I believe they don't get the respect that they deserve. You really don't see many of their beers around even the Billings area which is only 1hour away. If you ever get a chance to buy some of the Red Lodge Ales hard to find brews I reccomend you do, as I believe they are very underrated.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2005 02:32:01 | More by loren01

GClarkage

California

3.93/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

06/29/05- Purchased at Osco Drugs in Billings, MT.

Presentation- 12oz bottle with a drink by strip on the label that was unmarked....what's the use of that? Poured into my Elk Mountain pint glass.

Appearance- Dark cherry-mohagany pour with a nice 1/2 creamy head and above average lacing.

Smell- Smells rather dark. Some roasted nuts maybe. Some smoke scent as well.

Taste- Kinda sweet and smoky at the same time. Have a bit of a cherry flavor and some smoked malts as well. Maybe even a light rauchbier flavor.

Mouthfeel- Medium carbonation. A bit cloying.

Drinkability- Bit of a suprise. Better than expected. It's listed as a altbier on the label and kinda reminds me of one. Maybe an altbier with a touch of rauchbier. Overall, different and pretty tasty.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2005 01:38:12 | More by GClarkage