Z Street Rollstone Red

Brewed by Mercury Brewing and Distribution
Style: Amber Ale
Ipswich, Massachusetts USA

2004 bottle contract brewed by Concord brewing. Well, not surprisingly, this one was just about as good as the IPA. Whatever they’re doing, they’re doin it right. Wonderful deep cherry red appearane, some light oranges and burgundies. Good light yellow head, mostly clear body. Aroma of ripe red fruits, this thing is exploding with fruity ale yeast. Light hops in the background a mild sweetness. Flavor is almost exactly like the aroma. Incredible fruit esters, creamy mouthfeel, hops not overdone but present. The toastiness is subtle and adds no astringency. This is a spectacular beer.
2005 bottle Initially large off-white head recedes to ring, with some light lacing. Still a brilliant, deep cherry red appearance to the body. Aroma is very hoppy, with a distinct earthy/leafy/nutty bitterness and drying effect. Clean and dry, it finishes without too much malt influence (not enough). Tastes like tea leaves, with lots of toasted malt, some light roast. Very hoppy, though it is a fresh, herbal/spice hoppiness. Ultimately the body proves too light for the amount of hops. Not enough sweet/substantial malt to balance. A bit of crystal malt up front is all that is keeping this from being an IPA. As I finish the glass, I keep thinking, "way too bitter!" Unsure why the great parity between the last batch and this.

Bottle; poured a nice looking auburn/amber color with medium sized off white head. Aroma was nice with herbal, biscuit, citrus and caramel/toffee elements. Pretty good for the style, especially since this style is normally hard to distinguish for me. Good amount of pine citrus/hop finish with caramel, malty backbone. Palate is slightly chewy.

Bottle: pours clear dark orange with a small dissipating off white head. Hoppy aroma, lightly citrusy. Flavor is a nice combination of malt and hops. Body is nice: not light, not full. Mild citrus flavor and slight bitter finish. Nice beer.

A very nice amber. Reddish with a little white head. Initially creamy yeasty and full bitter finish, with some toasty malt in the background.

Bottle. Nice reddish amber, perfect head. Bubbly, even after many minutes. Aroma of hops and malt, kind of sweet smelling. Crisp in flavor, maybe fruity, kind of sour aftertaste.

Bottle. Pours a deep red with an off-white head. Scents of faint hops and some malt on the nose. Malt and thick caramel start at the beginning as it bitters into the finish. It smoothed out as it warmed but was a bit ragged in the beginning.

Clear auburn. Gigantic sized head gives difficulty with pouring. Mostly lasting foamy top. Orangey/earthy nose with a balance leaning toward the hops. Bready hints procure an ehphemeral saisfaction. Lasting bite attacks the tongue immediately. Catapulted nut oils/leafy hops finish cuts the toasty malts with a whip of dryness. Light-medium body, fair biting carbonation, trying to be creamy, but feeling too watery to really attain it. Good for an amber ale, if a bit rigid and ungraceful in its movements.

Big off-white head and has a reddish brown color. Very earthy malty aroma. There is a good amount of hops in this for an amber ale. Palate is pretty light and maybe has a little too much carbonation. Parts of the beer are kind of soapy. Plus I got this beer for 5 bucks a sixer. Maybe the bottle was quite old.