The Civil Life Brewing Company Reviews

Iznogud	4 The Civil Life Burton-On-Holt Canned, 355 ml, courtesy of Raleigh. Shared with him and MiroB. Brown with beige head. Dark caramel, malty, bit nutty, toasted, nice intensive bitter finish. Very dry. Sunday, April 14, 2024
thegreenrooster	2.8 The Civil Life Czech Dark Lager Pour is a black with a foamy tan head. Aroma is a slight roasted malt. Flavor is much the same a very slight roasted malt with a little bitterness on the back end. This was overall pretty light all around and a little bit underwhelming for this brewer. Sunday, March 24, 2024
ClarkVV	3.5 The Civil Life Circle 7 American Wheat Beer Brewery draught, 2/16/24. Gently hazy, bright lemon-golden. Small, white head, low retention. Nose is bright with some nutty wheat, lemony character and minimal malt, little/no hops. Softish, with a slick, wheaty texture. Light lemon, basic white bread and cracker character with a bit of peppery note, light fruitiness and a short finish. Very basic, as an American wheat is apt to be. Saturday, February 17, 2024
ClarkVV	3.5 The Civil Life Bee Civil Honey Wheat Beer Brewery draught, 2/16/24. Clear golden. Small, white head to ring slowly. Peppery honey fermentation with a bit of actual honey, vanilla, caramel and biscuit. Honey, pepper, honey-like malt. Clean, a bit sticky. Floral and peppery notes help but it's a bit bready and phenolic. Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	4 The Civil Life Scottish Ale Brewery draught, 2/16/24. Clear amber-raspberry. Small, dark beige head to cover. Fruity, malty, lots of toffee, mineral, earth, spice. Extra hop in there goes a long way to balance. Clean. Soft, rich, juicy, fruity, good bitterness with sticky toffee and raisin. Very flavorful and drinkable. Fruity. Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	4.1 The Civil Life Dry Irish Stout Brewery draught, 2/16/24. Saw there's an Irish stout in the database but this on is a full 1.2%abv higher. Dark, clear, perfectly retained, off-white head. Really like the water, mineral, lush grass and such that you don't get in most American versions. Actually reminds of Guinness in Ireland (I know, I know...). Vegetal, peppery, mineral rich, light roast. Could be a Guinness or Kilkenny. Perfect execution. Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	4.1 The Civil Life Porter Brewery draught, 2/16/24. Dark, clear, small, dark beige head. Nose is honey, coffee, sticky toffee and vanilla. Clean, not over roasted. Soft, sticky, malty but nicely dry without excessive coffee or roast. Clean, fruity, snappy, even. Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	3.3 The Civil Life ESB Brewery draught, 2/16/24. Clear light amber. Light beige head slit to light cover. Pepper, greens, moderate toast. Bit of cherry and vanilla. Clean. Soft, but toasty. Maybe a touch breadier than I'd prefer, with long toast, light acid and minimal fruit. Good bitterness, dry. Could use a bit more base malt depth. Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	3.7 The Civil Life Wee Bit Heavy Cask at the brewery as "Wee Heavy" 6.2%, on 2/16/24. Clear chestnut, small, light beige head, spotty cover. Gently fruity with some toffee-backed plum-raisin. Toast/roast, peppery hops and quite clean. Soft and malty, surprisingly mild, lightly watery with light roast, lots of caramel and raisin. Clean and dry. Lingering toast, brown bread. Maybe not ideal on cask as it interrupts the body, but interesting to try nonetheless. Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	4 The Civil Life Pub Ale Nitro draught at the brewery, 2/16/24. Crystal clear, bright copper. Snow white head, well-retained atop. Dainty fruits from yeast with a smidge of caramel and honey from malt. Gentle, floral hops and lingering cherry and vanilla. Quite aromatic for a nitro pour! Very clean. Soft, malty, dry, very fruity with honey, vanilla and white bread from malt. Hat, grass, floral notes and lingering gentle bitterness. Don't love the nitro, per usual, but it's surprisingly well,-textured given the additional watery nature of nitrogenated beer. Clean. Faithful. Guess I'm just giving all of Civil Life's beers 4.0+ at this point. Man, what a brewery! Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	4 The Civil Life German Wheat Lukr hefe! Let's go! At the brewery on 2/16/24. Moderately cloudy, golden-brass-lemon. Creamy, white head, moderately-well-retained. Not a typical hefe nose, but in a good way, imo. Green, lush herbs and freshly cut grass with heavy white pepper and something not unlike turmeric. Strange, but I don't like banana amyl so I'm not mad. Coriander and white pepper-like flavors with mild clove and minimal banana. Honestly comes off more Belgian wit to me, but whatever. Malty, dry, watery, drinkable, clean. Interesting, non-cookie-cutter hefe. Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	4 The Civil Life Burton-On-Holt Brewery draught, 2/16/24. Clear darker amber alternating with chestnut. Large, dark beige head, strong retention. Toasted malts and big nuttiness with mineral-rich notes from water and a moderately fruity yeast. Doesn't seem overdone on the roasted malt. Clean. Clean, crisp, snappy, hoppy, wow! Love the hops here, and the toasted malt isn't overdone. Great body, great attenuation. Tons of mineral and appropriate bitterness. Certainly nothing flashy here, but very well-done. Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	3.9 The Civil Life Australian Sparkling Ale Cask at the brewery, 2/16/24. Light haze, deep copper-blonde. Small, neat, white head. A bit overly yeasty in the nose but some good hop character and just fresh, lively yellow fruits for days. Biscuity malt. Clean. Malts open up with honey, biscuit, rustic green and a quick injection of hop bitterness balances nicely. Soft texture, good attenuation. Not in peak condition, as some of the aforementioned yeast adds some dullness, but it's still so well-done. I wonder how Cooper's Sparkling Ale is doing these days... Friday, February 16, 2024
ClarkVV	4.1 The Civil Life American Brown Olympia draught, 2/14/24. Clear dark amber. Small, beige head to rocky cover. Roast, toast, maple, caramel! Roast, toast, maple, caramel! Nice body here and good attenuation with up front maltiness and lingering brown sugar, toasted malt, base malt and clean yeast. Civil Life appears to make an excellent beer. Peter Hale is the only one on this damned site that knows how to rate. Thursday, February 15, 2024
phaleslu	3.8 The Civil Life Burton-On-Holt 12 oz. can shared by Tim - thanks again! Pours a cloudy chestnut brown with a finger of off-white head that settles into a ring and partial film. Notes of earth, nuts, tea, chocolate, toast, brown sugar, and tobacco. Medium-bodied, with moderate to medium carbonation and a malty, nutty mouthfeel. Very good. Friday, December 22, 2023
kdm1984	3.7 The Civil Life Oktoberfest 6 pack cans. Aroma of nutty toasty bread. Taste is delicious -- nuts, toast, light spice, caramel, slight noble hop. Smooth mouthfeel like mineral water. Excellent example of Okto style; definitely worthy of 98 rating in the style. Sunday, October 15, 2023
djd07	3.9 The Civil Life Czech Pilsner Can thanks to Paul. Pours golden with small white head that lasts. The aroma is grass and biscuit. Medium body, cereal, biscuit, grass, crisp finish, very nice. Monday, October 2, 2023
ClarkVV	3.3 The Civil Life The Angel And The Sword Ale Mac's Local draught, 9/28/23. Clear medium-amber. Small, dark beige head sits at cover. Floral hops and a touch of spiciness. Fruity esters are strong, with not too much on the crystal malts. Clean. Good honey-caramel maltiness as it warms. Good mix of grainy, bready malts and softer, sweeter base malts. Plentiful fruitiness. Malty to start, drying heavily. There's an undercurrent of something lightly sharp or glue-like, probably yeast-derived, that I find in esbs quite often. That detracts slightly, but this otherwise clean and quenching. Lingering floral, spicy hops and toffee. Thursday, September 28, 2023
phaleslu	3.6 The Civil Life Pub Ale Cask pour at the brewery. Pours a lightly cloudy orange with a bubbly off-white head that settles into a ring. Notes of grass, tea, wet hay, pale malts, and a bit of muddled fruit. Light-bodied, with modest carbonation and a smooth mouthfeel. Good. Monday, August 21, 2023
phaleslu	3.7 The Civil Life Chill Life Draft at the brewery. Listed on the sign as Cold IPA. Pours a mostly clear gold with a finger of white head that slowly settles into a thick ring and some trailing lace. Notes of citrus fruits, florals, pale malts, a hint of pine and spice, and wet straw. Light-bodied, with moderate carbonation and a bitter, lightly malty mouthfeel. Good. Monday, August 21, 2023
wombat23	3.6 The Civil Life The Angel And The Sword Ale On tap at City Foundry Food Hall. Pours mahogany with a light beige head. Malt, caramel, brown bread. Monday, June 5, 2023
rennat42	3.3 The Civil Life Wit Beer Draft. A- Wheat, spice. A- Gold color, clear liquid, white head. T- White pepper, coriander, wheat. P- Light body, average texture, average carbonation, balanced finish. O- Heavy on the spice. Okay. Wednesday, May 10, 2023
rennat42	2.9 The Civil Life Burton-On-Holt Draft. A- Malty, caramel. A- Copper color, clear liquid, white head. T- Malty, caramel. P- Medium body, average texture, average carbonation, malty finish. O- Lots of malted caramel. Didn't get a lot else here. Okay. Wednesday, May 10, 2023
rennat42	2.8 The Civil Life Common Draft. A- Malty, bready. A- Copper color, clear liquid, white head. T- Malty, grassy, bready. P- Light body, average texture, average carbonation, malty finish. O- Very malt forward, not my personal favorite but for the style it's on. Wednesday, May 10, 2023
jandd1983	3.5 The Civil Life Wit Beer On tap. It poured a golden color with a white head. The aroma was of wheat, yeast and oranges. The taste was similar to the aroma with more wheat, yeast, oranges, coriander, some banana with medium carbonation and a nice smooth aftertaste. Good stuff. Monday, May 8, 2023
Bif	3.5 The Civil Life Cream Ale on tap. Pours a golden color with a small white head. Aroma of grain and trace of malt. Taste of grain, malt and bit of citrus. Some bitterness and fairly clean finish. Light body, crisp and refreshing. NIce summertime beer. Saturday, April 15, 2023
RobertDale	3.5 The Civil Life Cream Ale 12 ounce can. Pours a clear gold with a decent white head. Aroma of malt, grain, caramel, and a bit of grass. Taste is the same. Mildy sweet. Nice for the style. Tuesday, April 4, 2023
lavaaaron	3.5 The Civil Life Oatmeal Brown Ale Draft pour, brown. Nutty malty notes. Notes of roasted hazelnuts, brown bread and a touch of coffee. Thursday, February 16, 2023
Bif	3.8 The Civil Life Burton-On-Holt 12oz Can. Pours a copper color with an off-white head. Aroma of malt, and caramel. taste of roasted malt, caramel and trace of nuts. Nice bitterness that lingers a bit in the finish. Medium body, quite smooth and flavorful. Nice Sunday, December 11, 2022
Mr.Spooks	3.5 The Civil Life Rye Pale Ale Tasty little rye PA, husky and full with a toasted grain undertone topped by mild caramel and grapefruit and pine. Finishes spicy and dry. Nice pint. Thursday, October 20, 2022
Mr.Spooks	3 The Civil Life The Angel And The Sword Ale Curious, like a fruitier cousin to Fat Tire, with a healthy biscuit-like base and notes of apple, grain, and a little cocoa. Not sure it all comes together. Thursday, October 20, 2022
jandd1983	3.5 The Civil Life Oktoberfest On tap. It poured a dark golden color with a white head. The aroma was of malts, minor hops and yeast. The taste was similar to the aroma with more malts, hops, yeast, grains, some nuts, toast with medium carbonation and a nice smooth aftertaste. Good stuff. Wednesday, October 12, 2022
thegreenrooster	3.4 The Civil Life Chill Life Pour is a clear blonde with a large white head. Aroma is equal parts pale malt and citrus hop. Flavor is super lemony with chalky malt and a very minor bitterness. They call this a IPA but this is more pale ale. Decent easy sipper with a unique hop flavor Sunday, October 9, 2022
chax	3.8 The Civil Life The Angel And The Sword Ale Nice hop balance Friday, September 23, 2022
thegreenrooster	3.4 The Civil Life Australian Sparkling Ale Pour is a clear gold with a large white head. Aroma is malty for sure. Some maris otter mixed with some rye. Flavor is more spicy rye with some dry neutral malt. Finish leaves some of that spiciness on the tongue. Another easy drinker from Civil Life. I'm glad they are finally back open. Sunday, June 5, 2022
thegreenrooster	3 The Civil Life Wit Beer Pour is a dull hazy yellow with a large white head. Aroma is a ok pale malt and not much else. Flavor is more pale malt maybe a little coriander but there quite a bit of orange peel. FInish is a bit flat and lifeless. Ok but needed some work. Sunday, June 5, 2022
thegreenrooster	3 The Civil Life Scottish Ale Pour is a dark reddish brown with a small tan head. Aroma is caramel and treacle malt. Flavor is again some caramel malt with with some toasted and bready malt. Finish is thin but leaves some malt sweetness on the tongue. Good but not one of Civil Life's best. Thursday, February 17, 2022
Bif	3.3 The Civil Life Black Lager on tap. Pours a black color with no real head. Aroma of roast malt and bit of chocolate. Taste of roasted malt with trace of dark chocolate. Some bitterness quite dry with a slight bitterness in the aftertaste. Moderate body, quite smooth with a nice touch of character. Interesting Wednesday, August 25, 2021
jandd1983	3.7 The Civil Life Cream Ale On tap at 909. It poured a golden color with a white head. The aroma was of corn, cereal and straw. The taste was similar to the aroma with more corn, cereal, straw, grains with medium carbonation and a nice smooth aftertaste. Nice. Wednesday, July 21, 2021
MadWill08	3.6 The Civil Life American Brown Sunday, July 18, 2021
Iznogud	3 The Civil Life English Pale Ale Canned, 355 ml branded as Craft Beer. Courtesy of Rali. Shared with him and Miro B. Cloudy golden, small white head. Malty, biscuit, bready, sweetish, grainy, bitter finish. Moderate carbonation. Light bodied. Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Drake	3.6 The Civil Life The Angel And The Sword Ale 12 ounce can from Binny's Springfield. 5/8/2021. Rating as many different states in a row as I can without repeats. Starting on 5/4: IL, CT, NY, VA, TN, IA, MN, AZ, OH, FL, NM, MI, TX, CO, CA, and now MO. Slightly hazy red. Large creamy tan head good retention. Aroma of toast, toffee,dark fruit. Taste is toast, cherry. Medium bodied crisp. Sunday, May 9, 2021
gschrade	3.7 The Civil Life The Angel And The Sword Ale I had this at Bailey’s Range. Pours dark Carmel with a thin off white head. Taste malt, lightly sweet, bitter,biscuit. I thought this was good. I would drink this again. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Friday, April 2, 2021
thegreenrooster	3.2 The Civil Life The Great Hencini Pour is a brown with a than tan head. Aroma is roasted nuts bakers chocolate and a bit of coffee. Flavor is more of the coffee with a little roasted nut left on the tongue. A little thin around the edges but this was more flavorful than thought it would be. Thursday, April 1, 2021
thegreenrooster	3.2 The Civil Life British Best Pour is a dark but clear copper with a small white head. Aroma is very grainy but also has some dark fruit. Flavor is pretty much the saom a very grainy and chewy mouthfeel with some raison there as well. Decent and tasty low abv Sunday sipper. Sunday, January 31, 2021
closey22	3.8 The Civil Life American Brown Hazy brown with thin beige head Aroma is rich nutty roasty Flava mildly roasty tangy Feels light and fizzy Finishes roasty Friday, July 10, 2020
jandd1983	3.7 The Civil Life Mike's Ordinarily Bitter On tap at Beer Sauce. It poured a cloudy amber color with an off-white head. The aroma was of nuts, malts and earth. The taste was similar to the aroma with more nuts, malts, earth, some grass with medium carbonation and a nice smooth aftertaste. Good stuff. Monday, May 18, 2020
phaleslu	3.6 The Civil Life Cream Ale 12 oz. can from Tim - thanks again, Tim! Pours a clear gold with a small white head that settles into a ring and layered island of film, leaving some trailing lace behind. Some rising carbonation bubbles form a flute up the middle, too. Notes of sweet cereal and crackery malts, straw, greens, florals, subtle spice, and toasted sugar. Light-bodied, with moderate carbonation and a malty, semi-sweet, slightly spicy and floral mouthfeel. Surprisingly complex for the style. Nice. Thursday, April 16, 2020
wxman	3.5 The Civil Life Dry Hop Red Ale Pours a clear reddish amber with a nice off white head that leaves lace. Mild hop and malt aroma. Taste is sweet caramel malt, biscuits and medium hop bitterness. Very nice. Wednesday, March 25, 2020
coachd	3.2 The Civil Life The Angel And The Sword Ale Malty and slightly spicy aroma. Very light see thru amber color. Malty taste with a dash of hops. Light palate. Not bad. Friday, March 20, 2020