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Dark russet color with a majorly thick finger high head of tight cream colored froth that installs itself on top; slowly puffed away form the center outwards where a thin skim and fairly thick collar stay present the whole glass through and lacing in webby sheets that sticks well at first but then disintegrate more as it goes.

Aroma is pleasant of a nice leafy hop bringing a smooth woody earthy dryness over the top of some dulled fruityness and toasted, nearly burnt malts.

Taste has a very nice balance of toasted malts and grassy/woody dry hops, starts smooth and lightly sweet of malts as it turns toasted with a substantial building over the palate of the toastyness with the wood dryness sneaking in just past midway and making a home through to the finish where it mixes nicely with notes of dulled dried fruit of apricot, peach, and raisin, and finishes with an overall super nice earthy dryness and texture.

Feel detains a smoother start then raises to a thick fullness from there and follows into the drying finish, a slim toastyness lingers. This is a very good amber, one of the better ones I've had with a nice dry hop profile that was hardly bitter in any form, just some tiny glimmers of bite that made this very nice with a certain complexity that was favorable to my palate. Good stuff.

Served In: Pint Glass

Old Review
22 oz bottle that was a suprise find at a bottle shop I frequent. I think it was 6 bucks or so for a bomber, so I figured why not. Served up in my shaped Dogfish Head pint glass.

A: Pours a very nice dark brown, almost Scottish ale type color. Very dark and warming just from the look. Held to the light, more reds (ruby) pushes through all that brown, creating a very nice color presentation. Pretty dark, so I can't really find any carbonation activity in the look. Got a good finger, maybe a touch more, of off white to cream colored head. Head has some really nice lasting power and throws up some chunky lace in select spots. Very nice look, and absolutely inviting.

S: Smell is what really got me. Sure its nothing too crazy but it is very aromatic. Very nice as soon as you pop the cap. At the first escape of gas, you get some really nice pine and floral hops straight out the bottle. These hops aren't overpowering or too in your face, but they have a power that fills the air. Light malts bringing out a touch of caramel mixed with a touch of spice. All in all, its the hops that combine very well to make a very appetizing aroma.

T: Well I wish I could say this was as big and impressive as the nose, but it is close. The pine and floral hops flavors are there, mixing wonderfully and making a great flavor for sure. Sadly, they aren't very bitter or powerful though. They are very easily balanced by a light roasted caramel malt presence, leaving me with an almost creamy flavor in the aftertaste. Its very interesting and simple. Good but not mind blowing. Kudos for getting the balance almost right on though.

M: Medium in body with a pretty heavy creamy presence and feel. Almost pillowy at times. Not at all expected. Carbonation is low for what I was expecting, more of a Scotch Ale than an American Red. They do cover this on the bottle but it only really comes across in the feel, which is slight confusing considering the flavor and aroma profile. Aftertaste is a bit of caramel and cream.

D: Its very easy drinking and I am glad I got the chance to give it a go. The bad part is that it just didn't live up to what I expect from what is supposed to be a hoppy red. The aroma is spot on for me but the flavor is just too balanced for me at times. Still very good and an interesting take on the style that shakes it up a bit. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 08-10-2009 03:19:57

Served In: Pint Glass

22oz. Bomber

Opened with a hefty pop. Haven't opened a bottle, that didn't have a cork on it, that sounded like that in a long while. Huge carbonation on the pour. Half my glass was head.

Red rocket has an unbelievably big rocky head. The head looked like a mountain with all kinds of peaks. Hazy dark red with tiny particles floating in it. The head reminds me of a root beer float. The lace sticks like huge chunks on the glass. I don't think I have ever seen a head this chunky on a beer before. Looks delicious. After finishing this beer theres still a quarter inch head on the bottom of the glass. Impressive!

This beer really smells interesting. Ripe melons come to mind and some kiwi. I dont know why but this beer smells really fruity and fresh. There's a caramel smell poking through the fruit. Very inviting. I cant wait to drink just to see what tastes will come through.

MMM....A solid caramel maltiness comes through at first and is quickly followed by a nice assertive hop bite with a mild lingering bitterness. There's the smallest amount of alcohol present. There's some other flavors I can't put my finger on.

The mouthfeel is excellent. It's smooth and very creamy. It's like velvet in my mouth.

Drinkability is good. I could very easily drink a lot of these. The more I drink the more filling it gets though. I would drink these till I filled up.

Overall Red Rocket is one of the best red ales I've had up to this point. It will be a hard one to beat. Pick this up and give it a try if you see it. I'm going to stock up. This is my first Bear Republic beer and I bought all four of their beers that were available at the store. I noticed this was the lowest rated one. If the others are better than this I can't hardly wait to drink them.

Reviewed: 10/13/06

Served In: Pint Glass

A dark amber, clear color. Pours one hell of an off-white head, big and fluffy-and it sticks around. Lacing is impressive, clumps just hanging on the wall of the glass.

Aromas of caramel malts, citrusy hops. Subtle on the nose (might be me, cold coming on), pleasant.

On the tongue... not so subtle. Slightly sweet caramel toasted malts, citrus/pine hops, and a bit nutty. Nice balance to this, tastes somewhat like a sweet, malty IPA, I like it.

Medium in body, smooth, a bit dry, more so in the aftertaste (think IPA, again). I could have several of these, these Amber Ales?!? Whatever, very tasty. Me likey...
Recommended!

Served In: Pint Glass

Pours a mostly clear darker amber with strong red hues. Darker then most red's, but then they don't have a rocket backing them up. Great foam and head retention as well as decent lacing.

A good aroma with noticeable hop and malt backing. The malt smells rich with some caramel but mostly basic malt backing. The hops are well hinted and consist mostly of pine and somewhat earthy smells.

The taste follows suits. A great malt baking that is more complex then the nose would indicate. Some grainy tastes that mixes with sweeter flavors and a brown sugar feel. The hops are well represented. Blended well but more prominent. A good bitterness that is rather tame, not a whole lot of bite, but well represented. Feels a little Cascadey. The flavoring hops are less noticeable but balance enough to finish the beer.

The mouthfeel is creamy and rich for texture. A smooth drink that hinds the ABV. Very easy to drink and enjoyable. I would have like to see more balance with the hops and a bit more flavor malt but still a excellent beer.

Served In: Pint Glass

Thanks to AgentSteve for this beer, it’s been a while since I’ve had this old favorite.

I’m so glad to have these around in 12oz six packs now!

Pours a dark caramel, very brown color with a mountain of a head that easily reaches 2 ½ inches.

A lot of pine and caramel is packed in the aroma. Citrus peel also very strong with lemon, grapefruit and bitter orange. Love the combination of hops and caramel and bready malt; it almost has this fruity profile, both citrus and dark fruits. There is a hint of smoke and tons of caramel that reveals the underlying soul of a Scottish ale. Very well done.

The taste is more malty with a dry and slightly bitter finish. A lot of bread, old bread, stale bread, toasted bread flavors with a bit of fruit and a touch of sweetness. There is a citric bitterness in the finish/aftertaste, like when you bite into a lemon seed (good thing it’s not overdone or else it would be just as unpleasant).

Good mouthfeel, enough carbonation that suits this beer well.

Served In: Pint Glass

Originally reviewed 07/09/06

Poured from bomber into a standard pint glass.

A - Nice off-white billowing head. Vigorous pour produced a 3" head, which is nice and pillowy. Beer is dark amber in color and has a nice clean, clear look.

S - Are you sure this in an Amber. Smells like an IPA with nice citrusy hops dominating.

T - Juicy, citrusy hops. Mostly citrus the whole way, not piney. Not what is expected from an amber, more of an "imperial amber".

M/D - Solid and very drinkable. Seems like another, maybe darker IPA from Bear Republic but who cares, this is good beer.

Served In: Pint Glass