Railbender Ale - Erie Brewing Co.

magine

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a nonic glass.

Pours a clear copper amber color. Has an off white small head that settles very quickly to a lace island. Some patchy lacing. Pretty average looks.

Brew smells of biscuit and caramel malts. Slight hops as well. Decent nose.

Brew is a tad bit thin but balanced and smooth as you drink. Has a sharp carbonation in the middle, almost spiced. Finishes slightly dry. Sweet caramel malts, a subtle nuttiness in there as well. Has some dark fruity hops as well maybe. Some biscuit and bready malts here too. All of these flavors are present but just a bit bland and a little thin in terms of flavor and mouthfeel. A pretty good brew.

This is a pretty decent brew, it is a good sessionable brew and has a decent alcohol level. It really is rather middle of the road though as far as scottish ale's go. Pretty good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 00:47:32 | More by magine

gfreed

Massachusetts

2/5  rDev -44.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

As I've said elsewhere, the downside of the current beer explosion in America is the river of average or below-average beer crashing into stores everywhere. The trick is picking out the good beer from the cases of junk. I like a beer adventure as much as the next drinker, but I do get tired of dragging home one crappy beer after another. This brew plops neatly into the crap trap: beef-broth color and beef-broth taste from the beginning all the way to the tired, bitter end. And not good beef broth, either: it's the ick your grandmother used to make from 10-year-old bullion cubes that had been sitting in a glass jar with a red rooster on the label. Avoid. Or, if you must have beef broth, make it from cow bones.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 01:30:45 | More by gfreed

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Railbender pours out as a deep brown color with some red highlights. The smell of the beer gives off some earthy aromas along with some roasted sweet malts. The taste of the beer has some subtle dark fruit sweetness to it that's backed up but a dry toasty finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied. Overall it's not the best Scottish Ale out there but it might be worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 22:16:12 | More by Knapp85

StoutHunter

Michigan

3.48/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I got a bottle of Railbender Ale for $1.79 at The Lager Mill. I haven't had a Scottish ale in a while and one sounds pretty good right now so lets see what this brew is all about. There was no visible bottling date. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a imperial pint glass.

A- The label looks ok and has a large dark picture of an old school steam engine on it. It poured a nice clear copperish amber color with two fingers worth of white foam that quickly died down to a thin ring.

S- It has a very typical aroma for a Scottish Ale. The aroma is full of lots of caramel malts that smell pretty sweet and are mixed with grain and bread aromas. There was also a nice blend of dark fruits that I always expect from this style, and this one had a great dark fruit aroma to it.

T- The taste starts off with a dominating flavor from the caramel malts that isn't nearly as sweet as it was in the aroma. The malts imparted all kinds of bready and biscuit like flavors. One thing that sticks out about this brew is that the malts seem to be toasted more then most in it's style and I like it. The fruits show up in the middle and are more subtle then I expected but still impart some raisin like flavors. I couldn't detect any hops and there was no bitterness in the flavor, there was also no presence of alcohol.

M- Smooth and medium bodied with a light amount of carbonation, I would have liked some more carbonation in this brew.

Overall I thought this was a slightly above average Scottish ale. When it come to Scottish Ales I tend to like the Wee Heavys but I was looking for something a little lighter this time since I tend to overlook most Scottish Ales and go straight to the Wee Heavys. This beer had all the good flavors I would expect from the style, it was just all together more lighter, subtle and drinkable then a Wee Heavy. This brew seems to be a good match for a stormy spring day. The only things I would change about this brew would be to add more carbonation and add in some more hops to give it a little bitterness to help balance out all the malts. I don't think I would seek this beer out again when Dirty Bastard is much more widely available and a better value, but I wouldn't turn one down if offered one because it is pretty smooth and drinkable. If you tend to like your Scottish Ales on the lighter side and not as robust and strong as a Wee Heavy then this may be the beer to you. I would like to see what other brews Erie Brewing has to offer.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 03:14:09 | More by StoutHunter

gregalobeer

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My buddy drives back from Pittsburg with cases of this stuff in his car. I've had several now at parties, but today is the first time I could pour it in a glass, get a good look, and a proper swig without all the foaminess. What do we have here ...

A: reddish/copper/amber hues, moderate to weak head retention, nice lacing

S: cherry and malts dominate, very sweet and fruity on the whole

T: I feel like this beer goes in a direction I like, then putters out before it gets to its destination. The cherry sweetness doesn't build or reach a balancing point with any bitter elements. The malts are also bit raw. And there is a slight metallic finish.

M: carbonation is slightly above average, but could be higher

Good, not great. Not sure I'd fill my trunk with it, but fun to try out if your in the area I'm sure.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2011 01:34:25 | More by gregalobeer

AnPiobaire

New York

2.9/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I poured the Railbender Ale from a 12 oz bottle at about 46 degrees. It poured a murky amber with a off white head.

The nose for this was very mild with some fruity malt notes but very very subtle.

The taste was very subdued and had some mild maltiness followed by a bitter finish.

The mouthfeel is crisp and thin but well carbonated.

Overall this is a somewhat bland brew that certainly was drinkable but not too memorable. However, beer is beer and that's good. Enjoy!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 20:30:10 | More by AnPiobaire

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -11%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at Casey's, Newtown Square, PA

Poured a hazy amber with a small, white head. Aroma of malts and a bit nutty; reminiscent of an amber ale. Taste was pretty plain; sweet malts and sorta bland nuttiness, with some caramel notes coming through. Not quite as sweet or tasty or alcoholic as other Scotch ales I've had. Medium body, and moderately drinkable, but a bit lacking in the flavor department.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2011 17:23:29 | More by Rifugium

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at a beer festival poured in a sampler glass. From notes: Small tan head with fair retention and lacing. Clear amber with copper hues. Nose is malty, grainy, lightly sweet, honey, bready. Med/light body, soft carbonation, lightly chewy. Fairly dry maltiness, caramel and sweet grains, a hint worty but in a good way.Light toffe notes as well. Finish is almost dry, lightly fruity, not bad.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 20:34:34 | More by CuriousMonk

happy4hoppybeer

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep,shiny/clear,orange/copper with promising but weak head that fizzles quickly,but leaving good,considerable thin lacing. Not bad at all.

Aroma is light and weak,can detect faint traces of malt and grain.

Can definitely taste smoky,toasted malt. Which is what Scottish Ales are supposed to be. Little to no hops, some caramel present. freshly crisp,medium carbonation and good body overall.

Overall, a solid and pleasant brew. Nothing really wowing, but tasty, and a good example of the style,which is what matter sin any beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2011 19:58:50 | More by happy4hoppybeer

gopens44

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Dark muddled amber in color and all sorts of hazy. About a 1/2" head of creme colored foam.

S - Malty with some odd smells that made sense after I tasted it. Maybe a touch nutty

T - Here's where I figured out the odd smell, it is tobacco! Tastes just like some straight flavored long leaf chew, like Beech Nut. Not the minty kid, but the regular kind. I mean, that's just about all I tasted. Really interesting and unique IMO. After I was able to sort through the tobacco taste, a smokiness (not like tobacco0 and faint fruitiness came through.

M - Decent carbonation and a little bit chewy. Aftertaste full of tobacco. Medium to full bodied.

O - Quite a different tasting critter. I could enjoy this as something completely different every now and then.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2011 13:13:03 | More by gopens44

avaccani

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Crystal clear copper in color with a small 1 finger head even with an agressive pour.

S - A bit boozy. Faint earthy hop, getting some caramel and sweet malt.

T - This really blew me away. I get chewy caramel, hearty bread, slight butterscotch. Alcohol is well hidden. Leaves a nice sweetness on the tounge.

M - Perfect body. Carbonation was medium to medium low. Flavor really shines throughout.

O - Highly recommended. Tastes great. Try it for yourself.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 00:19:40 | More by avaccani

jdspears41

Kentucky

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
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

rjochman

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear light brown color with a small amount of off white head. Leaves a lot of sticky lacing on the glass. Gives of tones of vanilla hops, and malt. Has a well balanced sweet vanilla and fruity flavor. Has a medium body with medium carbonation. Has a really good smooth finish. Very drinkable with a meal or as a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2011 02:42:14 | More by rjochman

deaconoflove

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +21.2%
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

nosurrender23

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Grade for the group = C.

"Easy drinking - slightly metallic, possibly a bad batch?"

First, the beer pours with a lingering head that slowly dissipates and is similar in hue to Turkey Hill Lemon Iced Tea, which is slightly dark for ale. A local animal expert proclaimed the hue to also be similar to panther piss.

The olfactory senses noticed that the ale has a bitter, malt/fruit smell that is slightly intimidating that parallels a metallic, acidic smell that smells similar to a tool set. While in the mouth, the beer has lightness to it but is heavy for an ale. Some were not able to get over the smell, while others felt nostalgic about the growth in industry that the Pennsylvania railways once brought to the "keystone state."

As far as consumption of the ale is concerned, one observed that drinking the ale is "better than not drinking" while others noticed a strong alcohol/nutty aftertaste.

Finally, the taste was metallic in which "our industrial heritage shines through" but it was smooth, pretty typical for an ale taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2011 23:22:36 | More by nosurrender23

thegodfather1076

Ohio

3.2/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer was served out of a 12oz. bottle dispensed into a glass....

Appearance - Neat lookin label. Poured a light brown/copper color with a 1/2 finger tan head which disappears very quickly into a thin foam ring. Leaves a light lacing on the glass.

Smell - Molasses/prune scent dominates. Slightly hoppy and malty smell on the backend.

Taste - Toasty molasses/prune/raisin taste with a hint of maltiness. Not much for hops or bitterness

Mouthfeel - A heavy and full bodied beer with very light carbonation.

Drinkability - Semi-smooth offering that has an aquired flavor and is heavy resulting in it not being overly drinkable.

Worth a try but was not for me because I am not a big prune guy so the flavor just threw me a bit. Not a bad beer overall though..

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2011 22:56:11 | More by thegodfather1076

Mancer

New York

3.33/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The bottle poured out a cloudy copper orange body with a half finger high off-white head. The head slowly dissipated to a thin lace. The initial aromas were sweet with dark fruits, caramel malts, and barley.The initial flavors were of dark fruits, and a heavier hit of barley with some caramel to back it up. The beer had a light to medium body with light carbonation.

Overall this was a decent light beer. I can't say that I have had anything like it, but I wasn't blown away either.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 02:24:47 | More by Mancer

hwy61mb

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to svendryden for this one. Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a pint glass. No date on bottle.

This poured an amber-honey color, slightly cloudy, with a decent initial head. The head quickly subsided and left very little lacing. The smell was faint, but characteristics included sweet, malty, and a little fruity.

This tastes similar to the smell. This is a mild beer. I am new to this type of beer and I like it. It reminds me a little of an Irish ale. This is light in the mouth and nicely carbonated. I would call this very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 00:49:23 | More by hwy61mb

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Auburn in color with lighter yellow highlights. Thick ivory colored heading about an inch thick. A nice covering sticks around for a while. Decent lacing.

Smell is mostly of sweet caramel malts,heavily toasted and very earthy.

Taste is very much like the nose. Big sweet toasted caramel malts with thenice earthiness dwelling in the background until the last sip. Slight warmer boozy background does pop up towards the finish. The slightest of hop touch.

Mouth is extremely smooth,mid to full bodied, Great lively carbonationon on the tongue. Very smooth.

A very drinkable beer. I can't really see a damn thing wrong with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2011 01:09:03 | More by TheFightfan1

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

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

(Had this during a Scottish/Scotch ale tasting, which included 3 distinct, uncommon takes on the style - the other 2 being Ommegang's and Great Divide's entries)

Not at all what I think of when I think Scottish Ale (or Scotch Ale, if you know the difference). Can't recall many if any beers in the style that sports such a prominent caramel character. A LOT of caramel. My immediate reference for this is the ultra caramel, husky-bodied beers of Gouden Carolus.

Very hazy/murky multi-toned tawny-ish color. Ample head on pour and it sticks around for a good bit. "Wet dog" is one thing that comes to mind with the smell. Caramel is dense here as well - yeast in combo with the malts? Getting some faint hops and muffinesque notes, too. Dark caramel and muffin dominate the flavor with light-moderate sweetness. Too thick, too chewy body - not quite viscous. High mash temp? Drops off a surprising degree in the finish therefore having an almost lightweight, clean feel. Alas, the Carolus (classic) comparison I cannot escape. Try it yourself, maybe I'm way off.

Interested to try this again in the future I think. But I can't say it compares favorably within the style considering my fondness, experience, and criterion with this style.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2011 04:16:31 | More by Bouleboubier

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.85/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap 2/7/2011 at Track 84, in Warwick, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, vanilla, some fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel, vanilla and a little bit of fruit. The malt character is hearty and the hops presence is mild but it creates a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a decent beer worth drinking for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2011 22:23:18 | More by TheManiacalOne

larryi86

Delaware

3.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter

A- Clear red color with a one finger caramel colored head.

S- Sweet, sweet malts, caramel, toffee, some bread, and a hint of dark fruits.

T- Surprisingly weak, after smelling the beer, but it still does have flavor. Caramel and toffee malts hit up front and on the sides with a nice hint of hops in the finish. Seem to be missing a lot of flavor in the middle, minimal backbone.

M- Smooth, medium body.

D- This is a good beer, but I feel it it could be better. I think that the taste could be much bigger, but it is still very drinkable and enjoyable. My cousin had been really hyping up this beer and I finally tried and it didn't live up to his hype, but I still really enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2011 23:52:07 | More by larryi86

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

P- Thanks to Jim in Pittsburgh

A-not much head and non lace stick. a mahogany/red color of the beer that is quite clear and nice color.

S- bready, malty, plum and toasted nut.

T- molasses and a chewy bready nuttiness.

M- medium bodied and creamy.

D- a decent brew and really a nice scottish ale. I am not a big scottish ale fan but this is drinkable for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 00:39:56 | More by Dodo2step

sitarist

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a tarnished copper penny color. There is about an inch of bubbly, khaki colored head. The head quickly falls to a loose bubbly ring and patch that leaves no lacing.

I smell caramel, toffee, bread, dough, toasted nuts, and prunes. It reminds me of sticky buns.

Like the nose the flavors are sweet. I taste caramel, molasses, bread dough, walnut, prune, and raisin. Though its fresh, it has a slightly oxidized flavor.

Medium body with minimal carbonation. This beer just lays on my tongue.

A lackluster beer that goes down smooth.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 21:23:47 | More by sitarist

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 1/5
Poured in to a pint glass

A: This beer pours a clear reddish, brown with a one finger of light khaki sudsy head. Head recedes at a moderate pace. Not much lacing to speak of.

S: Nose is very malty. Caramel, toffee, molasses hits first. A bit of breadiness also sneaks in.

T: Taste starts with a good deal of caramel and toffee malt sweetness. A toasted, nutty character mingled with molasses comes through in the middle. FInish has a fruity, light hop note.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation, smooth with a bit of a chewy finish.

D: Goes down easy, pretty tasty, not too filling, mild kick, decent representation of style. I'm usually not a big fan of Scottish ales, but I could easily have a pint or two of this.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 14:43:56 | More by Jayli