"Our fall seasonal, BigLeaf Maple Autumn Red was inspired by a native California tree, its incredible leaves, its delicious syrup, and the colors of fall. Bigleaf maple thrives along the banks of California's mountain streams. Native Californians once made rope and baskets from its bark. Today, artisans handcraft its wood and burl into custom guitars. In autumn, its huge leaves, up to a foot across, can display a full range of color as they slowly turn from green to gold to red. Bigleaf maple sugaring in California dates to the 1800s; yet this tree's unusually flavorful syrup remains the product of a small group of hobbyists. A hint of maple - including bigleaf maple - syrup in every brew perfectly complements the malty complexity, balanced hoppiness, and rich fall hue of BigLeaf Maple Autumn Red, a red ale like no other."
The last beer I brought for the fantasy draft was this one from Anchor Brewing, the BigLeaf Maple Autumn Red. Anchor Brewing (http://www.anchorbrewing.com) is out of San Francisco, California and is just another big time brewery that comes out of California. The beer was poured into a pilsner glass. It has a deep amber, almost copper colored body with a finger of a light tan colored head. Average retention, leaving a ring of lacing around the glass. Aromas of caramel and toffee malt, plus some citrusy hops that smell stronger thane expected. If there's any maple in this, I can't pick it up.
The last beer I brought for the fantasy draft was this one from Anchor Brewing, the BigLeaf Maple Autumn Red. Anchor Brewing (http://www.anchorbrewing.com) is out of San Francisco, California and is just another big time brewery that comes out of California. The beer was poured into a pilsner glass. It has a deep amber, almost copper colored body with a finger of a light tan colored head. Average retention, leaving a ring of lacing around the glass. Aromas of caramel and toffee malt, plus some citrusy hops that smell stronger thane expected. If there's any maple in this, I can't pick it up.
I couldn't pick up the maple in the aroma, I also couldn't pick it up in the taste. That strong citrus hop? It's more than evident in this beer, with pine resin mixing in with that citrus to try and counterbalance the sweetness from the caramel and toffee malt. It has a stronger, bitter aftertaste than expected as well. If you wanted to call this an American Amber Ale, you could have fooled me. I think it's closer to an American Red IPA, it really has that much impact with the hops and the finish. That said, if I was expecting an American Red IPA, I might think differently, but for what it was supposed to be, and the lack of maple, I find this beer to be awfully middling. If you think I'm crazy, just let me know.
Grade: C-
Price Paid: $1.50 (12 oz bottle)
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