HopTown Paint the Town Red

Formerly brewed at HopTown Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
Pleasanton, California USA

650 ml bottle from I can’t remember where, it has been in my cellar a while. This one pours a slightly cloudy amber-brown with a medium head that fades fast. The aroma is big with the citrus aromas of cascade hops, also present; some almonds and a bit of cookie dough. The aroma promised great flavor, but in tasting, the goods were not delivered. The flavor was a bit washed out with lime and weak grapefruit; hops were understated. The mouthfeel was silky and inconsistent. The finish was short and a bit sour. Overall: this is an interesting red, it might be great on a hot summer day, but this is spring--so I’ll pass.

In the bomber bottle from HyVee CB. Pours a reddish copper with a boisterous yellow-white head. Citrus aroma with a caramel maltiness as well. The flavor is surprisingly tart. Orange lemon lime tartness. At first, I thought that it was an off flavor, but now realize that the heavy flavor hops are contributing to the citrus mouth. An OK summer beer for the hop fan.

on tap at beachwood bbq..... great stuff.....I think this is up there with my bloody valentine for my fav in this style....great hop flavor and red malt characteristics.....wish pleasanton was closer to me...then russian river would be as well....

pop the cap and there’s a really inviting nose--very bready, citrusy, but then the aroma has some funk to it; not bad; mostly sweet and sour toffee apples, interesting, and worth the drink.

Bomber from Bottle Barn; Nose of citrus hops, caramel, and light toffee; lightly hazy amber with a medium straw head; flavor is very hoppy with some roasty malts, and sweet grapefruit; finish has some light bitterness sneaking in. Unusual amber and very good!

Bomber purchased at Johncy’s in North Liberty, IA. Dark red and copper body with a frothy khaki head. The aroma is light grapefruit and walnuts. There is also some old worn out basketball shoe funk in it. The taste is strong citrus with some slightly salted grapefruit juice. There is also a strong toffee finish. Interesting, but nothing special.

On nitro at Beachwood BBQ. Red color with a thin tan head. Aroma of piney hops. A bitter earthy aroma. Flavor is bitter and piney with toffee and caramel malts. The hops are bitter, but round of this amber ale nicely. Very well done.

From a 22 oz bottle, this poured a rich ruby color with a about the fattest, most pillow like head I have ever seen on a beer. Big nose of caramel malts and fruit, backed up my by cirrus hops. Good smooth mouthfeel. Flavor of fruits and hops and a moderate bitter finish. An excellent beer, and unlike most ambers.