H.C. Berger Red Banshee Ale

Formerly brewed at H.C. Berger Brewing Co.
Style: Amber Ale
Fort Collins, Colorado USA

Not really bad, but not exactly good. The appearance was nice with a big fluffy head that lasted for a while and seemed really dark for this color of a beer. The beer was dark for an amber, verging on brown. The aroma had me thinking this would be something worth drinking, nice sweet malt, slight fruitiness, but the flavor was a little bland even ending up a bit dry.

Deep amber red colour. Fruity esters are too strong in the aroma. Flavour is overtly malty and fruity with a hint of chocolate malt, it definitley needs some more hops to balance. I agree with TrappistAlesRules in that this is reminiscient Of Mad River Jamaica Red. But I think that is a bad thing.

Nice crimson color, no head but good lace. Very malty smell. Hoppy to start, yet somewhat sweet. Odd combination. I caught I bit of caramel every once in a while as well. Malt comes forward as it warms.

A decent enough amber, nothing special, but very drinkable. A nice crisp finish and fairly malty taste.

Deep garnet in color, the head is beige and it vanishes quickly, leaving decent lace to coat the glass. Nose is malt, hints of caramel, sweet. Front is sweet, top light, the finish is nicely hopped, and a drinkable beer all in all. Ranks #766 on my master beer list.

Butterscotch and caramel aroma. Dark red color. Light beige head, weak retention, OK lacing. Deep malty flavor - warming, feels like a winter ale. Light hop bitterness and strong malt focus make this definitely unbalanced and hard to finish. Almost a wee heavy in some respects.

Ahh, the first bottle from my H.C. Berger sampler sixer. This brew pours a medium sparkling ruby copper. The generous fully lasting off-white head is ultra creamy with fair lacing. The pleasant sweet nose is caramel, spices, fruit, and earth. A very sweet start is followed by very light acidity, and a very sweet and fruity malty finish. The light soft body is between watery and creamy. The finish feels alcoholic, and slightly metallic. Perfect summer flavor, this ale would be stellar with ribs. This may be the softest ale I’ve ever had.

interesting label: i’d guess the bodacious banshee lady was about to blow out birthday candles, but the way her hair is flying back, it’s clearly too breezy for candles, she must be about to blow something else. and for the record, i got noooo head whatsoever. on the beer naturally. berger apparently doesn’t give head, to strangers anyway, maybe at the pub you get some. what i did get was an autumn russet beverage with cherry and vanilla scents, a note of sourness. tasty malty sweet, underpowered hop. very drinkable amid flickers of enjoyment. not well symbolized with it’s wild and flailing red banshee on the label--the one with the crazed countenence and the nice hooters. no, more like a pleasant but subdued red librarian.