Nero’s Apecchio Red Ale - Amarcord Birra Artigianale Italiana

jlmorgan4

Massachusetts

2.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Purchased at Trader Joe's in Brookline--$3.50 for an attractive swing-top bottle. (I also picked up a bottle of "1st Century Double Dark Malt Ale" from the same brewery, to be reviewed at some later point.) I was hoping for something interesting, given the presentation and the buzz about Italian beers I've been hearing lately.

The bottle opened with a satisfying pop, but right from the pour I was a bit disappointed--nice reddish color, but very little head and no retention. Aroma was a bit indistinct--not much happening. Taste was, unfortunately, bland and off-putting, metallic even. Mouthfeel was very fizzy and thin.

Overall, I was hoping for more--perhaps the companion bottle will be more satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 20:52:47 | More by jlmorgan4

WalterHeisenberg

New Mexico

1.19/5  rDev -59.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.25

Was in a hurry picked up at trader joes on a whim.
Poured into tulip glass
A: Foamed up big fat head. Gone quickly.decent lacing. Deep red color. Looks good.
S: Not much slight grainy. Alcohol.Mostly sweet cherry fruity. Reminds me of wine.
T: fruity cherry alcohol. Again reminds me of wine. Like highly carbonated wine. Dry tart cherries up front sweet alcohol slight ever so slight malt. then not sure what. No hops no grain.It's like a foamy carbonated semi dry semi sweet wine. Odd for a beer. Reminds me of a barley wine. Which I Do not care for. I don't like sweet booze. Can't drink wine at all unless its super dry.
M:thin watery again much like wine. Is this beer in Italy? Stick to wine. If you must drink I suppose.
O:Looks like beer tastes like wine.good for cheap fast Italian takeout I'm thinking it gave me a buzz. High abv @6.5.Other than that will not ever drink again. Other than that will not recommend.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 01:05:55 | More by WalterHeisenberg

rhoadsrage

Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

(Served in a tulip glass)
B.B.E. 2/10/13
A- This beer has a clear deep orange body with a sea of microbubbles supporting a bubbly beige head.

S- The aroma of raw grain is otherwise pretty clean with a sulfury note in the finish.

T- The dry corn and raw grain taste is followed by a green note of hops and a field corn finish. The dry finish has some sulfur taste and a water flavor that grows as it opens.

M- The medium-light mouthfeel has a fizzy finish that cleans the flavor

O- This beer is thin and watery with some raw grain flavors that become a bit astringent as the beer opens.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 16:29:23 | More by rhoadsrage

buckyp

South Carolina

3/5  rDev +1%

03-26-2013 23:38:37 | More by buckyp

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.86/5  rDev +30%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Apecchio Red Ale opens to a sweet, sugary aroma, with orange, berry, cherry, lemon, and apricot fruit esters mixing with brown sugar and touches of vanilla to form a sweet overtone. These initial sweet notes fade after a few seconds, revealing a darker underbelly of thick brown breads, toast crust, rising wheat dough, wet wheat, biscuit, and Grape Nuts cereal, as well as bits of rice. The aromas are, overall, rather light, and after the initial sugar shock wears off, heavily geared toward grains, smelling somewhat like the inside of a grain silo, but with a touch of sugar and fruit. The aromas are pleasant, crisp, and refreshing, but don’t necessarily bring anything revelatory to the table.

On the tongue, the beer is largely grainy, with a complex blend of wet wheat, biscuit, toast crust, Grape Nuts cereal, rice, and floury baguette, as well as a bit of toasted nut. These are supported by a very nice selection of fruit esters – berry, cherry, apricot, and orange – as well as brown sugars, touches of vanilla, and even a bit of lemon from the hops. The grain and sugar notes are balanced well, the beer coming across much like a very good bowl of cereal with fresh fruit. In subsequent sips the lemony notes are a bit more pronounced, and some of the finer nuances in the grains are diminished. But the sugars still bring excellent flavor and variety. The aftertaste is mainly grains, the sugars dying off quickly, and the grains lingering for a decent while thereafter. Mouthfeel is medium-light to medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is quite nice beer, and brings a good selection and balance of crisp, refreshing flavors that would pair rather well with a Mediterranean dinner.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 17:39:55 | More by jondeelee

droomyster

Virginia

3.05/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a slightly hazy amber body with a short-lived soapy head. Aromas of butterscotch and toffee are good but subdued in strength. Flavors are primarily of lightly sweet malts with a grassy hoppiness that gives it balance but not the assertiveness or decisiveness of profile to make me say "wow." Light to medium body goes down easy. Overall not bad but unimpressive in all regards.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 04:42:48 | More by droomyster

matjack85

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev +24.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I picked up this 500ml brown swing top bottle at the Trader Joe's in Glen Ellyn, IL. for $2.79. No freshness date.

The beer poured a mostly clear amber color with a 1½-finger white head that lasted about 2 minutes and left a moderate amount of lacing.

Very fruity and toasted grain smell along with some caramel sweetness.

Malty and fruity with only mild bitterness. Picking up lots of caramel sweetness along with a strong Red Hawaiian Punch fruit flavor. Just a touch of hop bitterness and even fainter alcohol round out the taste.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

If you like sweet reds, then this one will be right up your alley, but if you like your ales a little more balanced, then you'll have to look elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 04:07:05 | More by matjack85

Lawl3ss

Texas

3.24/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Chilled 16.9 oz. flip-top into a 12 oz chalice. Best before date 5.14.13

Look- Deep amber with two fingers of dense white foam that falls quickly. Red-brown hue, good lacing.

Smell- Bready, clean, lemongrass, anise. Subtle but pleasant.

Taste- Similar to the nose with the faintest hint of toffee and spice. Floral, light fruit, pear, something vaguely ciderlike. Lighter and sweeter than expected. As it warms there is the impression of pilsener malt and rice.

Mouthfeel- Light-medium body, light but distinct carbonation. Brisk, clean feel. Easy drinking.

Overall- Pretty good, definite Euro feel- perhaps the yeast? It's good, certainly drinkable, and pretty much center of the red ale spectrum in regards to how likely I'd be to seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 03:31:31 | More by Lawl3ss

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.01/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured this Red Ale from a bottle into a pint glass. Picked this Italian Import up at Trader Joe's - first "Italian Craft Beer"-... Poured a hazy caramel color, produced an off white head, average retention and it left a nice amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of caramel malt, grapes and grassy hops. Medium in body, the foundation of this red ale consisted of light caramel malt, not as "toasted" as one might expect from a red ale. There is some grape/wine like quality to this ale, finishes somewhat dry on the backend. Overall, decent session beer -

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 16:36:06 | More by GossageBrewery

headbucket

Ohio

2.75/5  rDev -7.4%

01-12-2013 02:31:12 | More by headbucket

Mavigo

Michigan

3.2/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Got it from Trader Joe's for cheap, $2.50, comes in a nice bottle so I figured I'd try it. In a snifter.

A: Pours a nice copper color with a short bubbly white head that dissipated quickly leaving small amounts of lacing.

S: Like wheat, bread, malts, yeast, grains, and a bit of alcohol

T: Tastes alright, mellow, mild hops, wheat, grains, bit fruity, lacking of flavor, not much character, a minute later and I've already forgotten what it tastes like.

M: Unbalanced in terms of flavor and carbonation, to me it's a bit much, I could deal with it but the flavor gets drowned out like I'm drinking sparkling water.

O: Wasn't horrible, It was quite alright, wasn't offensive or nothing. It's fairly cheap as well, it's alright, I wouldn't seek it out again but I wouldn't refuse it either.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 04:48:27 | More by Mavigo

cliff1066

Virginia

3/5  rDev +1%

12-09-2012 19:31:09 | More by cliff1066

nerdivore

California

1.95/5  rDev -34.3%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Comes in a 500ml amber flip-top bottle from Trader Joe's for $2. Might be a sale price for getting rid of old stock (at this price, it's worth getting just for the bottle alone if you're a homebrewer). The good news is the beer is basically free, the bad news is it's almost undrinkable.

Pours with a thick layer of fine bubbly foam. Color is a standard amber. Smells of roasted malt and piss. Starts off piny and quickly develops a hint of fusels and a harsh, lingering bitterness. Not very appetizing at all.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 00:59:32 | More by nerdivore

Falcone

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev +9.4%

11-30-2012 23:56:50 | More by Falcone

allrizz

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I bought this beer at Trader Joe's. Italy is not known for its beers, it is known for its red wines. Since it wasn't a Larger I thought I'd give it a try.

The bottle is a good way to attract customers, a really cool looking bottle. It definitely gets ones attention.

A: It poured well leaving a good head which dissipated rather quickly. It is a light amber color with a slight amber head and a slightly cloudy appearance.

S: I liked the aroma. It smelled slightly sweet to me with a hint of fruitiness.

T: I enjoyed the taste with a hint of fruit, caramel, slight taste of yeast, and a mild metallic taste. I usually don't like a metallic taste but this tended to wear off quickly so it didn’t bother me.

M: It didn't leave a bad after taste nor was it overly carbonated. I liked the feel of it.

Overall I liked this beer and would buy it again. It isn't a perfect beer nor would I say it lived up to a true Red Ale but it was good, and considering the beer's Italy puts out I would say this is a step up. Who knows, maybe one day Italy will make beer as good as their wine. ….Maybe!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 00:09:46 | More by allrizz

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.25/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Decent off white to light tan head settles into a pretty decent lacing above a murky caramel honey colored beer that seems have pretty good carbonation.

Light sour grapes wine, light caramel malt, and some lighter hops aspects sneaking in the aroma.

A very light grape to cherry wine taste with some very light caramel malts blending in which allows me to remember that this is a beer.

A very light dryness to the aftertaste which really doesn't harbor much taste on this medium bodied beer.

This beer kinda tastes like a washed out Belgian monks beer, as if you took a bottle of that and mixed it with a couple glasses of water or 3 or 4 cans of Budwieser, to water down the stronger tastes that those beers have.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 23:22:31 | More by LXIXME

Lucidious

California

2.75/5  rDev -7.4%

11-15-2012 05:15:51 | More by Lucidious

leprechaunandfatman

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +17.8%

11-11-2012 19:11:03 | More by leprechaunandfatman

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This was a very affordable Trader Joe's offering/import. Poured an 1/8" off-white/tan head which faded fast. The body doesn't really strike me as a red ale, it looks more like a glass of iced tea. Smells of malt and in fact reminds me a lot of Octoberfest styles. I'd say the taste mirrors the smell. There's a very subtle bitter finish with considerable life. To me this beer is just a mild easy drink enjoyable brew. However, had I not read the label I would not have thought it a craft brew, nor a red ale, nor necessarily an Italian import. In a blind tasting I suspect it would score just slightly better than average.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 09:40:37 | More by MoreThanWine

UCLABrewN84

California

2.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a murky reddish-orange with a foamy orange-white head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small patches of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and some slight caramel aromas. Taste is much the same with a slight cinnamon taste on the finish. There is a mild bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is an average beer with a better taste than smell but that isn't really saying much.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 01:07:52 | More by UCLABrewN84

Jemonster

California

3.1/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: First off, awesome looking bottle. I'll buy almost anything in a stopper-top. Deep honey color and viscous looking body. Head thins instantly after pouring.

S: Sour funk up front! That was unexpected. Smells like a gueuze. Some grass and herbal scents. Some banana/unripe mango. Very light and fresh. After taking the first few sips, the smell actually changed for me, and there was no sourness. Odd.

T: Lighter tasting beer than I anticipated. Simple flavors in here. Straightforward and basic, mild hop character. Wheaty, yeasty. Looking for more based on the scent that isn't showing up on the palate. Strange sweetness that is difficult to describe, but it tastes like this beer wasn't ready to be bottled yet...like the yeast didn't get to do all of its work. Very low acid profile.

M: A little too heavy for the flavor here. Not lacking in carbonation, but I feel like it could use a bit more. Can't drink it alone, it needs something salty.

O: Well, it's just kinda there. It's nothing special for me, not bad, but not good.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 03:27:05 | More by Jemonster

PrimeCake

Connecticut

2.78/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured to brandy glass red reddish auburn color Very lightheaded
Scent: very bready
Taste: sweet start, then Carmel. Very bready finish.
Mouthfeel: Very thin,light
Overall: alright, but will not buy again? I know others who would enjoy this more than me.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 20:03:27 | More by PrimeCake

bobotron

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev +26.3%

09-11-2012 18:25:13 | More by bobotron

buffcityx

New York

3.25/5  rDev +9.4%

09-01-2012 05:39:57 | More by buffcityx

beertunes

Washington

3.48/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into straight pint glass. Poured a hazy red color with an inch of off-white head that had low retention and very light lacing.

The aroma was pretty benign, some slightly sweet malts and gently soft hops. The flavors had a more developed malt foundation and a bit of a hop tingle on the finish.

The body was solidly decent, smooth and even, fairly typical for the style. Drinkability was very good, the beer went down quick and easy, and I was wishing I had grabbed a second bottle. Overall, a good, solid beer at a nice price ($3 for a one pint bottle). Plus, the empty swing top bottle makes a great mini growler. Worth a shot if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 19:36:34 | More by beertunes