Gila Monster Amber Lager

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

Date: March 14, 2009
Mode: Bottle
Source: Ticker Tasting
Appearance: hazy amber, wispy off white head, bits of drippy lace
Aroma: sweet caramel aroma, light earthyness
Flavor: light caramel malt flavor, touch of sweetness, lots of balancing bitterness
Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 9/20
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: *4

Hazy amber with a tall, frothy & bubby light beige head that laces as it quickly fades, leaving island-like clumps of foam floating upon the top of the drink. The aroma is sweet malts with a fruity overtone. The flavor is nice and malty, but any hopping is negligible. It the finish is malty sweet with a slight metallic bitterness. Not sure why this is a "Pale Lager" when it comes across more like an American dark

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/ViewUser.asp?UserID=1 RAYBOY01’s Fridge<font size=-1>

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. Dark amber with a medium head that diminished quickly. Medium aroma of hops and malt. Medium body. Medium flavor of malt and spice with a short finish.

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.

Bottled. Clear lighter amber pour with a tall cap of rather creamy off-white head. Soft caramel and faint tart lemony-wheat notes on the aroma giving an easy and inviting aura. Flavor was of lemon-accented sweet caramel and pale malts... mild floral and wheaty bitterness. A tad rough around the palate and grainy, but maintained its composure respectably.. lighter-bodied. Decent drink.. the "Pale Lager" category doesn’t appear accurate.

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.

Another 77 cent beer courtesy of Trader Joe’s. This isn’t nearly as bad as Frugal Joe’s Ordinary Beer, but it isn’t winning any awards either. Pours nice enough, a dark orange with a medium thin albeit quickly dissipating head. Quick lacing. Aroma has a hint of hops. Flavor is fairly bland with a somewhat sour finish, which is too bad because it kept the beer from being solidly average. Don’t bother.