RateBeer
Otter Creek Hickory Switch Smoked Amber Ale 2.19 8

Otter Creek Hickory Switch Smoked Amber Ale

 (RETIRED)

 Percentile 

Requires
more ratings

Formerly brewed at Otter Creek Brewing
Style: Smoked

Middlebury, Vermont USA

bottling
unknown

on tap
unknown

distribution
unknown

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag |
RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
82.06/5.02.19/5.0Winter4.5%0Dimpled mug, Lager glass, Stein
Commercial Description:
This unique, medium bodied beer is brewed with a portion of malt which we carefully smoke here at the brewery. Its vinous notes and the dryness of the smoke perfectly complement the underlying caramel and malt flavors. Available from September to December.
 RagallachMC (631), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
1.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
4/102/54/102/55/20
Jul 9, 2006    Updated: Jul 17, 2006
bottle. Bottled 09/21/01. Aroma: BBQ potato chips, malt, and a bit of caramel. The aroma makes me a little apprehensive about how this is going to taste. Appearance: Very dark red, almost bordering on brown. No head to speak of. Flavor: There is a little hickory smokiness, but the main flavor is malt roastiness. A little bit of caramel flavor...and not much else. Flavors are weak. Palate: Medium-light bodied and watery. Carbonation seemed a little low, as well. Overall: Not good. I’m hoping the fact that this bottle is a couple years old has something to do with it. Weak, watery, and without distinction.


 bombshelter (349), Washington, Washington DC, USA
2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
3/102/54/103/58/20
May 16, 2005  
tap at RFD. more roast than smoke...very much not a rauchbier style, which is what i was expecting. black, slight head. medium body, malty flavors balanced mostly by acrid roast. pretty mediocre.


 MAP (1089), Lakewood, Ohio, USA
2.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/103/54/102/59/20
Nov 17, 2004  
Dark redish brown hazy with a thin head. The aroma is malty with a bit of caramel and a smaller bit of smoked and an even smaller bit hickory, so small in fact, I dont smell it. The flavor of this is also just not good. It lacks anything consistent to make a taste interesting and has a funny aftertaste. The only other smoked ale Ive really has was Rouge’s....which was like 8 years out of date. And it wasnt much worse, it even smelled better.


 Panzuriel (995), Westerville, Ohio, USA
2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
3/102/54/103/58/20
Mar 2, 2003  
The concept of a smoked american amber ale sounds good. Too bad this beer does not deliver what its name promises. Watery think weak and a little metallic. Not the best beer I've ever had. Flavor evaporates. which is good and bad.


 muzzlehatch (4427), Burlington, Vermont, USA
2.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/54/102/510/20
Nov 15, 2002  
Medium-brown, medium head, clear. Smoked sausage aroma is quite nice; flavor on the other hand is quite dull. Smoke present all the way through, but thin and bland and the smoky bitterness isn’t counterbalanced by much of anything. Fairly watery; not OCs worst, but I’m really glad I got just one bottle for under $1.50; I don’t feel TOO ripped off.


 VENOM (941), Connecticut, USA
2.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/55/102/510/20
Aug 31, 2001  
I don’t get it. I keep trying this, keep hating it and yet keep trying it every fall. The smokiness is just unsettling, maybe because of the Hickory in lieu of say Beechwood. Just gives it too much ’burnt kielbasa’ flavor. The malts aren’t bad they are hidden and only evident when really warm. I’ll try it again next year.


 canary dog (443), Rutland, Vermont, USA
1.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/102/51/101/52/20
Jun 14, 2001  
Good Gawd, this stuff is awful! I have never had a respectable import like Kaiserdom, but I am sure it is better than this. Tastes like a bad bock beer with liquid smoke drops added to it. Regardless, the stuff is a good seller.


Rdeclan99 (5), Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
does not count click to see why this rating of Otter Creek Hickory Switch Smoked Amber Ale does not count
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/59/105/519/20
Feb 5, 2001  



We Want To Hear From You



Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

Join Us »

Share Your Opinion!
Get started reviewing beers at RateBeer.com now.

First, choose your user name

About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Log In | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Feedback?
Copyright © 2000-2009, RateBeer LLC