Mendocino Red Tail Ale

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

Bottle - Amber colored with limited head. This had a sweet flavor with moderate bitterness. The beer seemed to be several in one and didn’t pull any of them off well.

Mendocino Red Tale Ale in a 12 oz brown bottle. The only other amber ale I’ve tasted is GD ridgeline amber, which wasn’t bad, but that was a while ago. Nifty red tail bird of prey on the label. Pop the top to reveal very little aroma, but the aroma that is there is just a hint of beeryness. Pours cloudy like sweet apple cider, same brownish light orange. No head to speak of but there is a very thin froth on the top. Initial taste is hoppy ale-ish. It commences with a bitter onslaught like many ales. I don’t recall ridgeline amber being this bitter. Each taste carries more of that offensive bitterness. Has as much offense as an IPA with out the fruity grapefruitness of it all. The label says it has a lasting character and I have to agree, no false advertising here. The brew is a bit viscous, something like light vegetable oil. Not mild enough for my taste buds, will not buy again. However, if you like the bitter stuff and strong ales, give this a try – you may like it. This is perhaps why it rates so high on this site. Discordant linger for minutes on end. Not easy to forget because the harshness goes on and on and on. Then close your mouth five minutes later to taste it again.

Decent overall. Nice aroma. I didn’t find it too hoppy or bitter. In fact the aroma was a little sweet.

Red Tail is an interesting pale ale. It has the zing of an IPA but the color is amazing. It’s partially clowdy and the same color as the sun when it is setting. As said, the initial taste has the traditional IPA zing but it leaves a nice taste on the toungue after it is drank. It almost reminds me of an amber ale. This beer would go nice with a spicy Chipotle burrito or something of the sort.

Pours orange-amber into the glass, with a small head that leaves minimal lace. The nose is of caramel, light fruits and maple syrup. A pale biscuit malt dominates the pull, with fringes of toffee, caramel, currant, dark fruits and light honey notes. The finish is slightly dry, with a light syrup mouthfeel that lends some body to the brew. This beer comes together well, and makes for a "better than average" amber.

A great ale. My second favorite Mendocino brew after Eye of the Hawk. Very smooth and a clean and refreshing finish. Taste-wise, worth a shot for sure.

Tap @ Medocino (Old Saratoga Brewery) Pours red in color, with a foamy head. Very hoppy with a tough of citrius. Dry finish.

Pours out a nice even red color. Formed a nice foamy head. Aroma of hops and malts that had a perplexing odor of citrius. Flavor is of hops and malts, somewhat dry, but it works. Sorta sessionable, but has that pungent dry ending, perfect for hot and spicey foods.