Drop Top Amber - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

jadpsu

Georgia

1.98/5  rDev -41.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Bought this at the Corner Market in Laurel Ms.
Bottle has a bottle date on it of 01-26-10. This means that this was bottled more than 22 months ago, and may be why this brew was so nasty. This was a mix and make your own 6 pack so it was the only Drop Top Amber I bought.
It poured with very little head that was quickly gone. It was very cloudy and hazy.
The smell was or sour old rags.
I would like to try this beer from a bottle brewed within 6 months of me opening it. This was just bad beer and can't believe that I got to taste the beer as it should be.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 01:23:12 | More by jadpsu

The_Blind_Commissioner

California

3.28/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

A very good taste for a casual beer. Best served by bottle. Roasty, caramel taste that hits the spot for an amber ale. It has a very great scent. A cheaper, but good quality, beer. I recommend it for when you aren't interested in spending $14 on a six pack, but still want a great taste.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 05:15:44 | More by The_Blind_Commissioner

praxis16

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

06-08-2013 09:38:37 | More by praxis16

seckela

Oregon

4/5  rDev +17.3%

06-06-2013 19:03:28 | More by seckela

Geno206

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +10%

06-01-2013 00:56:07 | More by Geno206

JesseMurdock

Hawaii

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

05-26-2013 08:47:01 | More by JesseMurdock

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

05-22-2013 15:38:58 | More by InspectorBob

bigbeers84

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -12%

05-19-2013 04:03:44 | More by bigbeers84

quietgoesthedon

Oregon

4.16/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 4.25

Very solid beer. Has sort of a strange mouthfeel but I'd buy it again. The smell was fantastic. Smells like a beer ought to smell. Feels a bit lighter than it really is. Works well with Mexican food, which frankly is one of my biggest concerns of ANY beer.

Very fine beer from a good brewery.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 07:18:22 | More by quietgoesthedon

Laklimell

Washington

3/5  rDev -12%

05-03-2013 19:15:50 | More by Laklimell

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

04-29-2013 07:47:19 | More by Kelp

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

04-27-2013 03:34:39 | More by SmellsofMahagony

Joshgonzales79

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +10%

04-09-2013 03:18:34 | More by Joshgonzales79

artoolemomo

Oregon

3/5  rDev -12%

03-31-2013 23:15:13 | More by artoolemomo

SoCalBeerIdiot

California

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

03-19-2013 22:11:24 | More by SoCalBeerIdiot

JBetz

Washington

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

03-17-2013 15:50:30 | More by JBetz

rickyleepotts

Arizona

2.66/5  rDev -22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.75

I have had a few beers from this brewing company, and have never been impressed. Even their special release beers are mediocre at best. Breweries like this have a place in craft beer, but should only serve as a starting point for people that haven't experienced craft beer. However, I am giving Drop Top another shot, and will drink this beer with an open mind. Hopefully it will have a better flavor than I remember and will do this review justice. Of course, PBR is also on our list. (PBR isn't a bad beer, to be honest. I would order that over a Miller or Coors Light.)

Oh, and Sheryl asked if I was going to "drop my top". Not sure that makes sense… but I will leave my shirt on for this review.

In the Glass: The beer has a nice orange color to it, and provided a thick head. A thicker head than I expected. The head quickly dissipates, but it was a lot thicker than I expected. The beer is also creating a nice lace in the glass. For $1.29, and coming from this brewing company, it is already starting to exceed my expectations. Hopefully it smells as good as it looks.

Nose: Didn't see that coming. Better yet, didn't smell that coming. At first I am hit with a ton of caramel aromas that quickly turn to wheat and earthy notes. The carmel smells like those little caramel candies that you can just suck on for hours on end. I will admit, I don't traditionally like ambers… but I don't remember my last amber smelling like this. If this tastes like carmel, I might go buy a case tomorrow!

Flavor: Considering what this smells like, I had some pretty high expectations for the flavor profile. It's good, but doesn't quite taste like it smells. Those same carmel notes are kicking in toward the end of the swallow, but it is a bit too carbonated for my liking. I would like to see a beer like this barrel aged. Why not? Every other brewing company is aging their beers in barrels. We are drinking this right out of the fridge, but I don't think a beer like this will do much as it heats up.

Mouthfeel: There are a ton of bubbles here, and while some beers can get away with it, based on the aroma in this beer I expected it to be a tad bit thicker with less carbonation. The beer does produce a somewhat drying finish, but overall, this is a very basic beer. Cool name and I love the label… but I wouldn't order this out.

Aftertaste: This is my favorite part of the beer. Those same caramel notes that I was smelling are back. They are not as pronounced as they were on the nose, but they are subtle and drying in the finish. The aftertaste is weak, and doesn't last long… but was enjoyable enough for me to finish my glass.

LIke I said, beers like this have a place in craft beer. That place just isn't in my cellar. I am glad that beers like this are on the list, as there are a lot of people that need to start with styles like this. Just because you are new to craft beer doesn't mean an IPA is right for you. Actually, if you are new to craft beer, DO NOT drink an IPA. Start light and work your way to the hoppier and darker beers. You'll thank me later as your palate grows to appreciating a good craft beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 21:51:40 | More by rickyleepotts

Resuin

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

03-08-2013 09:30:18 | More by Resuin

t0rin0

California

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

03-07-2013 12:28:32 | More by t0rin0

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.63/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A finger and a half of head on a clear, medium straw colored body.
The aroma is milled grain, hay and orange. NIce.
The flavor is smooth with a mild malt sweet and mild lemon bitterness.
The texture is soft with moderate carbonation.
It's tasty and sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 03:41:24 | More by Fatehunter

AnitaBrewski

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

02-10-2013 20:31:38 | More by AnitaBrewski

powdersoldier

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +10%

02-09-2013 21:01:53 | More by powdersoldier

Pegasus

Texas

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Clear, golden-orange in color, with a modest white head, which fairly quickly fades to a scattering of foam. Fine-beaded lacing coats the glass walls, the carbonation is moderate.

Aroma: Mild caramel malt and some pine hops.

Taste: Begins with moderate sweet caramel notes, with a little toasted malt as well. The is a slight sweet note distinct from the caramel malt, perhaps the result of the lactose. Homemade bread notes are present throughout as well, yielding a pleasing sweetness. Moderate pine hops bring the taste to a balanced close.

Mouth feel: Smooth, soft, quite pleasant.

Drinkability/notes: A pleasant and inoffensive example, easy to drink, but not particularly memorable.

Presentation: Packaged in a custom twelve-ounce brown glass longneck bottle with a pry-off crown, served in a New Belgium Brewing chalice.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 03:01:57 | More by Pegasus

rquillin

5/5  rDev +46.6%

12-30-2012 00:53:09 | More by rquillin

NickThePyro

Washington

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

12-24-2012 06:52:09 | More by NickThePyro