Craftsman Cabernale

Brewed by Craftsman Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Pasadena, California USA

On tap at The Red in Santa Cruz. Poured into a pint glass. Reddish purplish brown color with a creamy beige head. Aromas of grapes, cream, and strawberries. Flavor seems like a blonde or cream ale base with the light sweet malts. A slightly tannic vinous red wine grape character provides some tartness and acidity to temper the sweetness. Body is a perfect shade under medium. Mouthfeel is fulfilling and drinkability is huge.

Tap at Stone. Poured a real concentrated dark pink. Big red grape aroma, slightly sweet. Favor is huge grapes, basically almost like a wine, but more too it, very tasty.

On tap at Fathers Office Culver City. Generous frothy head above a purple body. Slight grape and malty aroma. Grapes were strong on the palate, along with some bread and spices. Light bodied, medium carbonation, and the alcohol is well hidden. Interesting, somewhat complex, but not something I would try again.

On tap at stone bistro. Pours a bright purple color with fizzy head. Lots of grapes in this one. Lightly sweet, with fruit, bready malt, and slightly vinous. Pretty good, but simple and straight forward. Mouthfeel is light and fizzy.

On tap at Stone. Great purple color. Fruity nose. Light and fresh on the tongue. Not sour at all. Like a light, fruity ale/lager. Almost like a LIGHT sangria. Finish is quick and bright. Not a thick/funky/sticky thing.

On tap at Stone Bistro. Pours a red/purple. Sweet aromas of malt a grape. Flavors of grape, vanilla. Taste a bit like an ale mixed with some grape juice. Cabernet flavors a bit bittersweet. Mouth is carbonated with a sweet fruit aftertaste. Pretty enjoyable.

Tap @ FO Culver. Clutch beer! Well-constructed and deftly executed. Deep purple-red with minimal foam and lacing. Full flavor bursting with the cabernet grapes (and likely barrel) used in aging. I suspect the base beer was a stronger ale rather than a brown, which is a sublime move where this is concerned: I doubt the grapes would take hold and marry with anything as dark as a brown.

On draught at O’Brien’s in San Diego. This beer pours a deep reddish-purple color with a medium thin and fizzy pinkish head that burns away steadily. Spotty lacing on the chalice. Vinous aroma with notes of sweet malt in the background. Medium, dry body with tart cabernet grape and malt flavors, along with a bit of spice. The finish is fruity with a lingering fermented grape aftertaste. Interesting and pretty enjoyable overall.