Gila Monster Amber Lager

Brewed by August Schell Brewing Company
Style: American Dark Lager
New Ulm, Minnesota USA

Hazy medium amber liquid with a fine head of white foam. Nose is malty and a little acrid. Body is medium, nice hop notes. finish a little dry. not bad.

Light copper color with a moderate ecru head. Light caramel and sweet corn aromas, nearly like kettle corn. Once again a very sweet brew. Honey caramel without enough bitterness to reel things back in. Touch of hazelnut in the linger. Otherwise just another amber.

Bottle found at Trader Joe’s. Orange-amber with a pillowy head. Not much of an aroma to describe, maybe a whiff of caramel. First swallow isn’t bad ... moderately rich caramel malt. Bit of an apple-like flourish. Decent-enough brew right down the center of the amber beer lane.

I’ve never known a beer that tastes this good at first sip and finishes so poorly - as in nothing. Subsequent pulls on the glass get weaker and weaker... If I didn’t have a six pack - I would not have had another. Good to split with the dog or to cook with I suppose - but maybe not....

When this beer is first poured, it looks and smells like it is going to be a good beer, but the main thing that this beer left after drinking it is the horrible metallic aftertaste. This aftertaste was confirmed by other people who drank this with me. Apparently, if you eat candy and drink this the taste is mitigated, but unless you do that I do not suggest this beer at all. Maybe it was just the sixer that I had, but that is the only way I can rate this beer.

Thanks to Paul for bringing this back to me from Minnesota! And of course when I think Minnesota, I think gila monsters, busily frolicking in the snow and swimming in the lakes. Um. Anyhow, pours an orange amber, nice head. Light caramel aroma blends with some green, somewhat vegetal hop notes. Flavor is lightly caramel, with a bit of hop bitterness on the finish. Sort of reminds me of Killian’s before it got so watered down. Not really a pale lager, I should mention.

Very vigorous action with the carbonation. The bubbles went crazy. The head was a light tan color and complimented the medium copper colored body. The aroma had some boozy notes of caramel and a bit of grapefruit. The taste had some decent notes of toasted bread and some toffee. There was also dank orange peel and some minerals in the finish. A decent beer.

Bottle. Pours crisp and effervescent amber with an aroma of scotch-like roasted malt, as well as a touch of peach and raisin. Flavor is roasted malt with a faint lemon sourness. Palate is a little diluted. Average. How the heck a Minnesota brewer can call a beer "Gila Monster" is beyond me... unless the Gila is native to that region.