Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale

Brewed by Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
San Diego, California USA

A: The pour from bottle to pint glass is a clear, amber color with a fluffy off-white foam. S: Caramel, sweet malt, and a slight bit of roasted malt. Not all that much going on in the nose. T: This is a very sweet beer. Too sweet for my taste. The flavor is very caramelly, with a fair amount of malt flavor coming through as well. Little to no hops, unfortunately, as this beer could really use it. M: The beer doesn’t feel too terrible on the tongue. A light-medium body and moderate carbonation. D: The beer itself is not terrible. It is a bit too sweet for me, but other than that, it’s not awful. The flavors that are there aren’t bad, it’s just not necessarily my cup of tea.

On tap at my friend’s house (thanks Hans). Pours red with a thin off white head. Caramel and toffee in the aroma and flavor. Sweet brew and very easy to drink.

On tap at Wings and Things. I was pleasantly surprised with this beer. It tastes a little bit like Fat Tire.. only better. Dark red color, thin head. Great taste. Little bit sweet, slight bitterness. Carbonation seemed just right for this beer. Very well balanced. Give it a shot!

This dark tea colored pour had some lacing and white head from the tap. Earthy aromas with a touch of sweetness and caramel. Slight bitterness matched very well with pizza.

Glass. Pours a dark mohogany. With a very shortlived biege 1/8 inch head. Didnt draw much for aroma, given the smokey atmosphere.Palate is medium. Flows good. With 17 IBUs, not very bitter. Or as hoppy as i like, usually. Taste is of caramel malts, slight alcohol presence, with a sweet finish. Over all a good, enjoyable beer.

Bottle: Poured an dark amber color with a little head. The aroma was sweet malts. The flavor were dark fruits, sweet malts and a thicker than normal feel in the mouth, for an amber ale. Overall, this beer was flavorful and enjoyable to drink.

Location: On tap at the SD Airport, 1/9/10

Aroma: This beer has lots of caramel malts and bread on the nose
Appearance: Dark reddish color with a head that leaves a lot of lace
Flavor: Taste is mostly sweet caramel malts and mild bitterness in the finish
Palate: Medium bodied and pretty drinkable with a soft carbonation
Overall Impression: This beer was alright, it helped me kill some time in an airport. I’d drink it again, but I certainly wouldn’t suggest going out of the way for it. The real impression I have recorded in my notes is that is has a big caramel malt feel.

pours a clear copper with a small light beige head, and good lacing. smell is of sweet malt, some hops in back, and some caramel. taste is of malt, caramel, a little sweetness, and a touch of spice.