Rock Bottom Fire Chief Ale

Brewed by Rock Bottom Corporate Office
Style: Amber Ale
Louisville, Colorado USA

tap at Walnut Brewing, they have their own line of beers but since they are owned by Rock Bottom, I’m going to guess their Fire Chief Red is this one. It pours light amber and smells mainly of caramel malt. The flavor has those caramel malts along with a good hops bite. It’s light to medium bodied, easy going, and decently balanced. Very drinkable.

On Tap in Bethesda, MD: Pors a deep amber color, had a slightly bitter taste for an amber. I initially thought is was an Alt. Shows what I know. The description is more telling than it knows with "this beer is a Rock Bottom standard". Not a bad beer, just nothing special here. I think there are usually better beers to be had at RB, have one for the rating and move on to other, better staples.

On Tap in Long Beach. Pours a nice dark amber color with a good head. Smells of malt and hops. Has a good hoppy and a good bitter finish. Tastes similar, but not as good, as Bear Republic’s Red Rocket Ale.

Tap @ San Diego. Dark/medium amber in color. Some maltiness along with grain. Somewhat bitter finish. Pretty bland.

Draught in Colorado Springs at Rock Bottom. Aroma is faint with just a hint of malt. Color is a hazy amber with a nice tight head and somewhat low carbonation. It has a medium body that goes down crisp. Finish is a mild malt flavor with a nice hop taste and a full bitterness. Aftertaste is dry as the bitterness lingers. This is a tasty and well done Alt.

Highly drinkable, but watery. My second least favorite of the not very good rock bottom beers. Some amber malt flavor, but not too much of anything. No hops of course.

Highly drinkable...that is what their intent is, right??? Vibrant burnt orange body with average clean white head. The aroma is minimal at best; with notes of caramel, toffee, and brown sugar. Flavor follows and is also minimal at best!!! You’d think they’d step it up a notch with a Special Edition ale. I think, instead of adding qualities one would think about when envisioning the job of firefighter (strength, bold flavors, smoke), they added what every good firefighter needs...WATER!!! It’s all about the Benjamin’s!!! At least the proceeds go to a GREAT charity.

Brown-red, swampy khaki head. Sweet, malt, saazy aroma. Tannic, lightly woody, lightly tart, dry. Medium light body, finishes peaty. Fair, drinkable. On tap, Chicago, Winston trip.