Red Bird Ale
Portsmouth Brewing Co. / Mault's Brewpub

Red Bird AleRed Bird Ale
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From:
Portsmouth Brewing Co. / Mault's Brewpub
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
California Common / Steam Beer
ABV:
4.8%
Score:
74
Avg:
3.06 | pDev: 23.2%
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
34
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 19, 2021
Added:
Oct 13, 2003
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  7
An American Home Run! Named for the 1939 Portsmouth, Ohio, minor league baseball team, Red Bird Ale is a classic steam ale brewed in tribute to the steam ales enjoyed along the Ohio river in the early 1800’s. Caramel malts lend the gorgeous red color and full flavor perfectly balanced with domestic Willamette, Perle & Liberty hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Irish7r:
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Rated by Irish7r

4.5/5  rDev +47.1%

May 19, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.08/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Taster at brewery. Light amber pour, spotty head. Aroma is malty, lightly sweet. Taste is weak malt, kind of bland and a tangy, odd bitter finish. Not impressed.
Oct 19, 2021
Photo of cratez
Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)

3.4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Rating from notes. Consumed January 2013. "A bit lacking in flavour, and gets a little watery in taste / thin in mouthfeel as beer warms. Could be better."
Jan 25, 2020
Photo of metter98
Reviewed by metter98 from New York

3.74/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On-tap at Hocking Hills Winery, Logan, OH

A: The beer is clear reddish copper in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high off white head.
S: Light to moderate aromas of woody and herbal hops are present in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of biscuity malts and herbal hops with a light to moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and very dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a well-hopped steam beer.

Serving type: bottle
Nov 29, 2019
 
Rated: 3.63 by Zonian1 from Ohio

May 06, 2018
Photo of dcotom
Reviewed by dcotom from Iowa

3.53/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from 12-ounce bottle into a tulip glass. Pours a clear copper color, with an aggressive pour yielding a thick white head that settled into a thin cap. Decent lacing. Aromas and flavors of caramel and dark fruit, with some tart apple and an herbal note. Finish is on the dry side, with some pleasant bitterness and a bit of tartness. The brewer lists this as a California Common, with an ABV of 4.8%. From the style description, this beer would seem to fit very well. Whatever you call it, it's a pretty solid beer.
Jan 06, 2018
 
Rated: 1.98 by dirtyharry2489 from West Virginia

May 09, 2017
 
Rated: 2.84 by seanote from Ohio

Oct 26, 2015
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Reviewed by iwashmycar

1.29/5  rDev -57.8%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.5
Poured from bottle into what I had on hand. More of a snifter shaped glass. Does have a really nice Amber color. Head dissolves quickly and what little lace goes shortly thereafter. Smell is bitter and grainy. Taste follows with bitter pennies and hay. Mouthfeel is watery and leaves an extra bitter aftertaste. Bought it from a neighborhood market since they sell local (state) brews. This one was a mistake. I will note I tried one last night right from a bottle and the bottle tasted ten times more bitter. Almost as if the cap left it on the lip of the bottle. Yuck.
Jun 12, 2015
 
Rated: 2.99 by Rudes from North Dakota

Nov 26, 2014
 
Rated: 2.24 by cbusbeerlover from Ohio

Aug 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by grues from Ohio

Jul 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by reedmn from Ohio

Jul 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by elkinbrown from Tennessee

Jul 19, 2014
 
 
Rated: 3.25 by bakerca from Ohio

Apr 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by mrfrancis from Kentucky

Dec 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by bigbluebeerguy from Kentucky

Sep 27, 2013
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This is actually a Calif Common: "A classic steam ale, dating back to the early 1800's". In any case, a very well crafted beer and, unlike their flagship pilsner, not lacking in hops. Medium-light amber with exceptional clarity. It has a head with nice size, density and durability, and it leaves an abundance of lacing. Medium-light body with very good, medium carbonation. Smooth.

O: Very good to excellent for style.
Aug 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by duff247 from Texas

Jul 18, 2013
Red Bird Ale from Portsmouth Brewing Co. / Mault's Brewpub
Beer rating: 74 out of 100 with 34 ratings