Summit Horizon Red Ale

Brewed by Summit Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
St. Paul, Minnesota USA

12 oz. bottle served in shaker- poured a somewhat transparent darkened and solid maroon- black and brown tints abound. One finger off tan head formed, laced, and sang a song with me- that was nice. Aroma of hops by the gravel wagon worth- WHOA- is this an "amber" or a double IPA? Real beer drinkers want to know!!! Extremely floral hops abound from the smell. Hits the mouth with a high-medium body, don’t let the body fool you- you could drive a Kenworth on bald tires on an ice road with ease after this with first sip- it’s that wide. Malt, yeah hello, let’s you know it’s presence, and has been ever so slightly sweetened (I"m guessing sugar in the 2nd). Middle holds up just fine as the hops say hello, grab you by the nuts, and make you question your manhood- hard to do for this seasoned drinker. Finish is acidic, and commands you to take another sip. I had my 1st Summit on draught 3 years ago on my honeymoon. I was not impressed-by neither. Nearly 3 years later- they make me wish this one of my brews that was one of my 100’s (a "honeymoon brew" is one upcoming) because this one is DAMN GOOD!!! Price point- $4.99 a 6’er. I’m buying 2 cases tommorrow. It’s that damn good. Have your Bells, have your 10 gallon batch HARDER THAN HELL TO GET brews- I’m drinking this until New Years 2010. Thank you, and Fuck you. Drive, and vote safely.

I was extremely pleased with this addition to the Summit brews. The infusion of "red" and somehow even more hopps into my favorite EPA has created a very tasty new favorite for me. I highly reccomend this beer.

I tried this at Oregon Brewer’s Festival 2009. At bit too hoppy for me, but good tasting hops, and very good quality otherwise. Tasted very similar to 2 others I tried: Double Mountain IRA & Boulder Beer Flashback Anniversary Ale.

Poured from bottle into Nonic Imperial Pint. Clear reddish-brown with thin head, some lacing on glass. Aroma of citrus and ash, slight pine and malt. Expected malts for a Red Ale upfront, but quickly overtaken by bitterness. Bitter aftertaste as well. The hop flavor is somewhat of a surprise, as it reminds me of ash. I detected that in the smell, but didn’t expect to taste it. Never would have thought I would like an ash taste, but I do. Maybe this is from the Horizon hops, which I know very little about. Lighter than I expected, but considering the low carbonation and smooth body, it all works. Almost reminds me of a Bitter in terms of feel. Very easy drinking ale, I would choose this over the ESB, EPA or IPA. Still prefer the Porter as my favorite year-round bottled beer by Summit.

Red amber with decent, creamy beige head / Floral, toasty nose of dry hops / Light to medium body, touch of sugar, with good balance and finish / Flavors of dry hops, toast, burnt sugar, and grapefruit / Very nice with a toasty hop character.

Bottle. Woody amber color with an average head on the pour. Modest aroma of mild caramel malt. Easy drinker with the same nutty, caramel malt of the aroma. Nice little citricly bitter finish. (#3742, 11/15/2009)

I really like these new breeds of Ambers has a fresh peppery, piney hops ,not what you would expect from a red ale of old., typical caramel malt also evident, taste again a bang of spicey hopping,pine/grapefruit,dominating the blend,malting all backing , really an ipa ,just darker,wonder if the bottle is as good. This is on tap at Three Cellars

Bottle poured a clear reddish amber with a small lingering amber head. Aromas of carmel, orange, pink grapefruit, pine and light earthiness. Palate was light bodied and smooth with a dry finish. Flavors of carmel, pine, pink grapefruit and light earthiness with a sdmooth dry moderatly bitter finish.