Mendocino Red Tail Ale

Brewed by Mendocino Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
Hopland, California USA

12 oz. bottle. Pours a golden copper color with chill haze. Thin head and moderately heavy carbonization. Bitter hop finish (slight soapiness as well), nothing much in the way malts. I know it’s an ale, but to me it sure tastes like some less than average import lager. I’d give this another chance, but I think the conditions would have to be: only on tap at the brewery.

bottle. You know, I kept trying to give this beer a chance, since it is sold cheap on sale in Hawaii. Unfortunately, it falls on its face every time. Pours a bright golden-amber. Smell is of hops, grain and skunk. Flavor is initially sweet of caramel, but the mid-palate and finish reveal metallicky and off-bitter notes. I compare this to some underripe fruit. Overall, just nothing that pleasant about the flavor. Palate is also weak, and carbonation can’t hide the jarring amber ale flavor mix. Not recommended.

Poured a cloudy brown color. Flavor was a little disorienting with some grass and pine flavors. There is a bitter metallic hop finish that is not incredibly enjoyable. Tasting at EABF.

Hazy yellow amber, with tiny particulate colloidal suspension. Very short-lived head.Fruity hoppy nose, vaguely citrus. Spritzy, hop-driven palate. Not enough malt to make me happy. Just okay for me.

12oz bottle. Orange amber color with a small head that leaves no foam. Metallic and grainy malt aroma with a touch of herbal hops, some yeast, and a hint of alcohol. light bodied with a low, soft carbonation. Toasty, grainy malts with some caramel sweetness and light bitterness in the finish, but low hop flavor. A little metallic edge in the finish. Not many redeeming qualities, I’m afraid.

Clear orange brown body with a thin white head that evaporates into a small smear... more malty than hoppy; a bit like a brown ale, and yet fruity? Easy drinking, slightly effervescent... body is medium to full, slightly crunchy but pleasant... despite the malty aroma, the flavor is hoppy to the tongue with a balanced malt finish--a surprise in its roundness.. not overwhelming, but as a six-packer, this could be quite enjoyable--probably solid with grill fair or snacks.

Pours a rich orange amber with a thin white head. Sweet aroma of grapefruit and citrus. The mouth-feel is quick and fading on the palate. There isn’t much here to really go crazy about. Tastes like the beer I used to drink: bland and tasteless.

This one has a nice cloudy amber color, but the head looks disgusting. All bubbles, and hardly any foam. Aroma is faint. Fruity like dried apples. Taste is bland, but at least it’s not watery. I can taste hops and spiced apples. Tickles the tounge on the way down. Nothing special.