Back Road Pecker Head (Red Ale)

Brewed by Back Road Brewery
Style: American Strong Ale
LaPorte, Indiana USA

Bomber from Chuck the brewmaster Private Stash (limited distribution): Boy is this beer different from past version, the hop change adds a crisp bite on the back of the palate which adds to the completely refreshing nature of the brew. The Color shines a reddish ue with a small but lasting head and good lace. The aroma has notes of citric and grassy hop, toasted and biscuit malts, and lots of aromatics. The taste as mentioned above is a crisp balance of bitters and malts with a lingering acidic nature. The feel is lively and medium bodied, the alcohol is well hidden and will sneak up on you. Overall, this change is for the best and I liked it alot. Cheers Chuck !
Earlier Rating: 3/27/2004 Total Score: 3.3
New recipe, Bottled from the brewers private stash: Coppery hue with fizzy off-white head and good lace. The aroma hints of caramel and toasted malts, prunes, mild sage, floral hops, and earthy yeast esters. The taste starts roasty and fruity, lots of sweet and twangy character. Undertones of light bitterness and bready nature. The finish displays a bitter and grassy character with some peppery notes. The mouthfeel is soft and chalky. A nice version, quaffable.

Rusty orange color. Light thin dusty/soapy head. Sweet orange soda hops aroma... Taste is kind of a sweet and citrusy hop liquor. Though, it isn’t too sweet.. it is nicely balanced and has a great hop tone to it.

Sampled at the March 25th Tosa Gathering, courtesy of BBB63: Pours a clear copper orange with a nince, whispy-lacing off-white head. Hoppy, sugary, candy-like aroma with a mild caramel malty presence. Starts semi-sweet and bitter with some earthy hops and a touch of toffee. Nicely hopped and fairly well-balanced IPA, but not imperial enough for me.

Hmm, who other than Mike could provid this. Clear amby body with orange highlights. Caramel malt aroma. The same caramel malt in the flavor but it’s accompanied by sharp citrus hops and a lesser resinous pine. Simple flavors but the work very well together and they taste fresh.

12oz, pink labeled bottle with thanks to BBB63. Slightly hazy red with a small head. Aroma is malty and floral with some bananas. More fruit in the taste; pears, cherries and bananas with spicy hops in the back. Seems nicely balanced between sweet and bitter. Medium+ body. I just don’t know what style to call it.

I agree with others here, this really isn’t a marzen at all. Definitely and amber ale of sorts. Pours a crystal clear brownish amber, decent heads with thick patches of lace. Nose is mild and malty. Flavor is a bit more assertive with a good dose of the old hops here and there and notes of toffee and roasted marshmallow. Entirely quaffable and refreshing with a briskly carbonated mouthfeel. It definitely seems more suited to summer time than autumn. Certainly no complaints from me.

12 oz bottle courtesy of BBB63. Pours a hazy dark orange caramel with a small white head. Aroma of faint malt, candied sugar and caramel. Taste is slightly malty with hints of caramel with a slight detection of dark fruit. Not bad.

Pours a hazy amber color, small white head. Some small chunks appears to be floating around in it chillin out. Aroma is hoppy, oranges, lemons and grapefruit. Flavor is sweet, with a hoppy kick, spicy flavors as well. Interesting stuff. Thanks to BBB63 for sharing this one.