Railbender Ale - Erie Brewing Co.

ghilt

New Jersey

4.9/5  rDev +34.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is one of the BEST ales I've tasted in years! It was smooth, rich tasting with a lingering sweetness which made me want more. It is a perfect blend in my opinion. Although 6.8%, it has no bite! For me it went very well with a nice dinner meal or as a stand-alone ale. No true ale drinker will be disappointed with Railbender' Ale. I love it!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2007 17:34:30 | More by ghilt

Garlicjosh

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +31.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A-
One finger head that fades fast into a light ring on the edge
Light brown / copper in color with a decent, constint stream of carbonation bubbles.

S;
Roasted Malts right away with nutty and toffee not far behind. Roasted smell lingers in my nose as I go to take my first sip

T;
Almost spot on to the smell just more of it. The roasted smell makes no attempt to blend in. The nutty that I got in the smell trails behind and starts to blend in more towards the back of my palate in which it meets up with a hint of wood. No alchol and really no lacing on the glass...none that sticks around long anyway.

M;
nicely heavy but still smooth making it easy to drink...on a dangerous level.

O;
I find this to be a fantastic ale. Has made me decide to seek out more scotch ales. I love the complexity while still having a high drink ability.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 18:31:07 | More by Garlicjosh

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I really like this beer. The appearance is cooper color with not a a lot of white head to it, but leaves a thin lace around the rim of the body. The smell is very inviting of sweet malts and a hint of hops and a little bit of fruit. The taste is outstanding of sweet cherries and a little bit of hops. The mouth feel is very smooth and is very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 02:36:28 | More by chefhatt

jdspears41

Kentucky

4.45/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I found this at a local gas station and decided to give it a shot after a long days work.

A-I poured this into a pint glass and noticed it his a light brown color with a small head of foam.

S-Not a very strong smell but it has a faint smell of hops.

T- Great taste with a great after taste...Has a small smoke taste to it...

M-Has a small bite to it with a little carbonation.

Give it a try!

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 00:05:14 | More by jdspears41

asabreed

New York

4.43/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

One of my favorite little-known beers, if you will. Goes for around $20 a case, which in my opinion is surely a steal (though I seem to say that a lot I feel).

Appearance: Not the most impressive in the world, but pretty good overall. Decent white head that dissipates quickly. Amber and copper color, while on the lighter side and also has pretty full carbonation.

Smell: Good balance of hops and malt in the nose, or at least that's what it smells like. Kind of sweet, but welcoming, not overbearing. Smells of fruit also.

Taste: Very fruity and complex, with some hop bitterness lingering, though the malts are more present than anything. Alcohol presence is more evident as it warms.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation. Pretty good overall.

Drinkability: At 6.8% it can be deceiving; though the alcohol is evident, it's not overpowering, and it can be a pretty wicked (in the good and bad sense of the word) session beer if you let.

I realize the Erie Brewing Company is small, but if you have a chance to try it, definitely do. I feel it's their best beer (though there are few), and it should get more hype than it does.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2005 22:53:47 | More by asabreed

Jerzdevil1116

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

12 oz Bottle purchased at State Line Liquors in Elkton, MD.

A- Amber colored body. Thin white head dissipated over a minute or two. Steady carbonation rising in the glass.

S- Smells dominated by malt. Sweet caramel and toffee, slightly bready. Just a hint of hops.

T- Starts off with a malty sweetness. Caramel and toffee. Finshes with a refreshing hop bitterness. Also has a small alcohol presence in the finish.

M- Smoothe and crisp. Light to meduim bodied. A little carbonation tingle.

D- A very well balanced beer. Goes down easy and has flavor. Maybe one that I should try a session with in the future. Wish it was more available near my home.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2008 21:57:32 | More by Jerzdevil1116

bpw28

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Look: Two finger off white shaving cream head, copper (about a 16 SRM), very good lacing, lots and lots of carb.

Smell: Medium roasted malts, milk chocolate, espresso notes, light floral smell, slight wood. Very clean nose.

Taste: Medium full feeling malts, milk chocolate, light coffee, woods, earthy, bready yeasty, very nice floral hop backbone bitter. Body is medium and slightly chewy, carb a little much.

Final Thoughts: Very nice. This is very malt forward and it showcases some great flavors. It's very nice and tasty. Could be one of my more favorite scottish ales.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2011 00:30:51 | More by bpw28

deaconoflove

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Ap. Slightly cloudy dark golden brown with not much head.
Sm. Caramel or butterscotch comes up front, but there's a light citris back there somewhere.
Ta. Caramel first with a bit of coffee poking through. A thinned or lightened caramel, pleasant. Finishes slightly sweet eventually.
Mf. Thick, but not.
Dr. This one is tasty and will be gone way too soon. Yummy.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 22:17:19 | More by deaconoflove

QXSTER1

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear, lovely dark amber, with an off white head that thins and laces down the glass. Crisp toasted malt flavors lead to a subdued but balancing hop finish. Plenty of malt and true to style, but leans towards the hop accented Scottish Ales. A tasty pizza and wings beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2002 14:17:27 | More by QXSTER1

y2jrock60

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Dark red brown with almost no head and lacing. It looks very maple syrup like.

S- Mild malt tones with some sweet and smokey notes.

T- Light sweetness upfront followed by mild malt flavor and a slight smokiness.

M- Medium light bodied with low carbonation.

D- Highly drinkable, this is defiantly one of my favorite Scotch Ales.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 04:49:42 | More by y2jrock60

GoodKnight1220

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a six pack of bottles.

Poured a nice golden yellow-orange with little head.

Smelled of sweet malt and caramel.

Taste was a grainy sweet malt, with tons of flavor that changes throughout the mouthfull.

Thought the mouthfeel was very smooth and easy to go down. Could drink a lot of this, and did.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2008 01:20:15 | More by GoodKnight1220

tgdigital

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is one of my go to beers. It's not going to completely wow anyone anytime soon, but it is a beer that I personally find incredibly palletable and hyper-drinkable. The beer itself looks like a standard amber ale with a nice frothy white head. Mainly caramel in the nose with light floral hops. The taste is rich caramel sweetness which is balanced nicely with floral hops. The mouthfeel is good but not exceptional finishing sweet. This is definitely a session beer that is easy to forget that there is almost 7% alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2009 14:32:23 | More by tgdigital

rebel1771

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark reddish brown color clouded with yeast. Not much head even with a vigorous pour.

S: Sweet malt aroma of candied raisins along with a touch of molasses.

T: Mellow sweet flavor of sweetbread with raisins along a dose of smoke. Very drinkable.

D: Much more balanced than what I expected, very mellow and at 6.8% AVB dangerously drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2010 22:41:45 | More by rebel1771

chuckm

Indiana

4.3/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

first pour brought out a coppery color a little lighter than I expected. Head was short but lacing was good throughout. Smell had a hint of smoke but on first swallow all that I thought of was wow! for a style I usually don't seek out this is damn good. Slightly sweet but not enough to last in your mouth and be intrusive this beer went down quickly. In fact if I hadn't planned on 4 being included in 6 pack mixes for a few friends back home I would have enjoyed more than the 2 I did. Will buy again but the price at my store 9.99 may make that infrequent.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2009 01:42:04 | More by chuckm

njthebestofme

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

at first sight it was a nice copper tone with a decent head kinda off white.. sweet was sweat hints of hops..taste was smooth with a hoppy malty taste.. with a sweet after taste.. hops was nice with a carmel taste.. not very overpowering just right a smooth .. cheers

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2009 02:40:56 | More by njthebestofme

aranheaney

New York

4.23/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a DFH Snifter.

A-Dark ruby red, brown

S-Toffee, caramel, heather, really nice from beginning to end

T-Awesome, this is really a very pleasant surprise, haven't previously reviewed many Scotch Ales, but this is a definite keeper

M-very solid, nothing unpleasant

O-really enjoyable, if looking for something a bit different, this is it

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 01:46:22 | More by aranheaney

shirfan

New York

4.22/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark orange-copper with a thin layer of white foam and lots of small particulate matter.

Juicy, fruity aroma -- warm rich malt, overripe pear, baked apple. Almost a whiff of turpentine.

Flavor is rich, thick, juicy, sweet. Caramelized malt mingles with some fruity, almost Belgian notes, yet stays *just* in the scottish ale realm instead of becoming a frankenbeer. Pear, caramel chews, a touch of pepper in the finish. Very sweet but not quite cloying, and just smooth enough to not be a slow sipper.

I guess there's more to Erie PA than walleye fishing and gas stations.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2007 23:38:04 | More by shirfan

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer review from BA Mag Dec 2007.

A bit surprising to see a year-round Old Ale--surprising in a good way as most brewers use this style for one-offs or winter seasonals.

Decent foaming action from a medium pour, the head does dissipate to a thin lacing but still sticks to the glass. Clarity is a touch hazy but it's more of a temporary chill haze as it does become completely clear when the beer warms up. Big caramel toffee note in the front of the house, smells a little bit like taffy but the faint alcohol and bready grain brings the aroma down to beerdom. Very smooth with a creamy mouthfeel, malt flavor comes across as very pleasing right from the start.

Fresh-baked bread with caramel tones, a little nutty and a faint husky note in the back. Hops drop a little bit of bitterness and a kiss of herbal flavor. Fruitiness is kept to a minimum with a trace, dried plum flavor. Finishes semisweet with a long lingering malt flavor on the palate.

This beer is just more proof that great beer comes from PA. Beware of its drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 14:11:19 | More by BeerAdvocate

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours amber with a tan head.

Smells of roasted malt and caramel, backed by a floral bouquet with fresh berry notes.

Roasted malt bready mouth feel dominates giving way to caramel with some bitter burnt sugar notes. Finishes dry with a slight bitter herb taste. An excellent beer with big malt flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 22:35:38 | More by Chickenhawk9932

yidbeer

Maryland

4.18/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Golden brown in color but not too light; even color. A little sour taste up fron but it lessens in your mouth. Rich, malty flavor lingers long after you finish. Lighyt on the tongue and keeps its fizz, doesn't flatten out immediately. It has a high abv for some but i like it as a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2009 03:35:05 | More by yidbeer

longdivision

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a six-pack solely based on a recommendation. What a surprise! A very interesting beer. Poured into a pint glass, it looked like a copper hefeweizen, very hazy with particulates. Smells kind of fruity. More so than it tasted. Had a hint of bubble-gum at times. It's a challenge to describe, never had a beer quite like this. Not too hoppy, but not really sweet either. Although, these characteristics were both present. You could easily have a few. I would recommend, but try before you buy.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2007 00:42:46 | More by longdivision

bamadog

Kentucky

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was a random purchase -- I was actually getting ready to leave my beloved Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and head back home to my new beloved Commonwealth of Kentucky and stopped at a distributor in order to pick up some Yuengling for a friend and came across a case of this ale. I figured, why not? Not a bad beer at all. Serving came from the bottle and poured into a 16 oz. standard pint glass.

Appearance: A nice coppery color with just the slightest hint of cloudiness to it. No real head to speak of, but does leave a nice lacing down the sides of the glass as it goes down.

Smell: Kind of carmelly (if that's a word), slight bitterness of the hops in the background, so I feel the presence of these two characteristics is a little backwards to what I would expect.

Taste: Nice -- a little sweet, kind of sugary almost, with a nice hoppiness in the back of it. Not an overpowering taste so I've enjoyed it with food as it seems to compliment nicely and doesn't take anything away from it. When I saw that it was listed as a Scottish Ale, it made a little more sense to me that the sweetness is that present. My experience with this particular style has been similar.

Mouthfeel: Has a nice stickiness to it from the hops and it allows the taste to linger just a little bit. A nice mouthfeel that doesn't overpower the palate.

Drinkability: I would give this a higher drinkability because it seems like an ale that could be used for a session. It isn't going to overpower you or get you wasted with an obscenely high ABV.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2008 00:14:43 | More by bamadog

josefnewsong

New York

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Discovered this ale last year and I'm glad I did...

A - pours a coppery red color with 1/2 inch head and a bit of lacing
S - nothing too overt here, just some bready malts and hints of flora
T - taste is wonderfully floral with hints of sweetness and nice chewy malt
M - smooth malts balanced by a nice carbonated bite, sticky in the finish
D - this is very drinkable, not too alcoholic and although the flavors are robust they aren't overbearing. 2 or 3 would be a piece of cake

This is a great ale for sessions, sitting around a campfire comes to mind.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2009 02:41:08 | More by josefnewsong

MuddyMcGinny

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hard pour into a English nonic pint.

Amber deep red/orange color with a good two finger froth that hung around a bit. Smell of malt, molasses, caramel, and roasted barley. Bit o' nuts and spice. A little lighter than I had expected and real smooth. Very drinkable medium body. Just enough bitter to bring down the sweetness of the malt and caramel.

Scottish Ales can be a little tough to find so if it's cold outsude and you find a sixer or two of this puppy on the shelf grab 'em and start a fire! Great job by Erie here with their American version of a Scottish Ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2010 03:33:31 | More by MuddyMcGinny

Zack4687

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer out of a 12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a nice dark, amber color with very little carbonation. About 2 fingers worth of foam that settles down to some small islands. The taste is of deep malt flavor with a perfect touch of caramel finishing with an easy touch of hops. I would definitely recommend trying this beer if it is available to you. After 4 or 5 cases I decided it was time to write a review. This is the tastiest 6.8 % beer that i have tried, and I would even drink it if it were only 5 %.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2008 06:39:42 | More by Zack4687