Tampa Bay Two Red Eyes Ale

Brewed by Tampa Bay Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Tampa, Florida USA

Draught at the brewpub. Served in a heavy goblet. Very nice looking beer, amber/rust/purple are all mixed together, topped by a small tan head that leaves decent lacing. Nose of floral hops, caramel malts, some fruity notes and not much else. It smells good, but it’s not terribly complex or layered. Very astringent on the fore, pretty big hop smack in the face, followed by caramel malts and some sweet citrus candy. Back end continues with the sweetness but also has a fair amount of bitterness that wells with each sip. I hate the flavor at first, because it’s so brash and overbalanced, but it grows on me as I drink more of the glass. Still, this isn’t one of their better efforts, to my tastes. Medium bodied, average carbonation, nothing exciting to talk about here. Finish is astringent hops, then a wave of caramel and citrus sweetness, followed by a bitter, dry ending. I do have to say, other than a bit of hotness in the nose, the relatively high ABV for this brewer is very well hidden. Glad I finally got to try it, even if it isn’t a favorite.

This beer kind of reminded me of Terrapin Red Hoppy Monster. It has nice hop flavor with a bit of thickness to the mouthfeel. Malt and hops abound with a smooth, yet dry finish. One of the best at TBBC.

Tap. Pours amber with a one finger light tan head that fades leaving minimal lacing. Aroma of sweet malt, caramel, and dark fruit. Tastes is caramel, dark fruit, and a hint of roasted malt. Medium full mouthfeel with a moderate amount of bitterness and smooth alcohol. Very good.

Draft... This beer rocks!... Clear, deep copper ale with a small, creamy, white head. Good retention. Tons of caramel, toffee and grapefruit in the nose. Huge flavor with intense bitterness stacked upon a sturdy caramel malt foundation. Very malty-sweet, but even more so bitter. Malt! Malt! Malt! HOPS! HOPS! HOPS!... with a strong suggestion of alcohol. Thick-bodied and syrupy with moderate carbonation. Lengthy, sweet and then bitter-warming-dry finish. Straight forward; not complex; intense. World class brew!
Earlier Rating: 2/3/2005 Total Score: 3.9
Draft... Crystal clear, copper ale with a mid-sized, frothy, white head. Thick, cumulus lace. The nose is of caramel, citrus fruit, and pineapple with a whisper of juniper. Well-balanced. Big malt, but big hops to match. Medium to full-bodied and creamy with lively carbonation. Lengthy, bitter then forever dry finish. Well done!

The aroma is strong with sweet caramel, hops, and alcohol. The appearance is deep amber with a nice head. The flavor is like the aroma, with an emphasis on bitter. The palate is smooth. Overall a good beer.

Pours a clear red/orange with a small off white head. Smells of some hops, with a noticeable caramel presence too. Just a tad bit fruity. The taste is pretty sweet, with some caramel, cinnamon, and some syrupy malt taste that coated the palate fully. The alcohol was definitely present throughout the experience. The fruits seem to come in second to the sweet malty/hoppy flavors. The spices were more up front. Pretty solid.

Draft at TBBC, served as Double Red Eye Ale. Pours a dark red with tan highlights. Lacing from the brass colored head looks quite sticky. Aroma is all hops first, then a bodyslam(well, nose slam anyway) of malts, a little apple butter as well. Unruly hop bite in the initial flavor leaves traces of citric acidity and grapefruit rinds in my mouth. Palate was a little lighter than expected for the style and aroma. Finishes with a tingling of hop juice and a sweet malt coating in my throat, then dry as all get out. My nostrils were stinging a little. I liked the regular red better for what it was. Big, but unoriginal. This beer did have some excellent aromatics though.

(On tap) Beautiful, clear, dark amber with a delicate, creamy, beige head. Aroma of caramel and nuts. Very full-bodied, lots of roasted and caramel malt. Markedly bitter, a not so refined bitter finish. But definitely a solid brew. 040406