Fat Weasel Ale
Steinhaus Brewing Co.

Fat Weasel AleFat Weasel Ale
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From:
Steinhaus Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
ABV:
7.1%
Score:
71
Avg:
3.02 | pDev: 17.22%
Reviews:
152
Ratings:
274
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 05, 2021
Added:
Dec 19, 2001
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  29
No description / notes.
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Ratings by Beerandraiderfan:
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Reviewed by Beerandraiderfan from Nevada

2.95/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Trader Joe's exclusive. I remember when this stuff was made in Minnesota I think. Now its CA. Golden pour with plenty of haze. Mild aroma, almost yeastyesque.

Taste, yeah, slight belgian yeast feel to it, not like it has a bunch of clove or banana, but otherwise it seems to be more of a belgian ipa than a strong ale.

Just kind of a yeasty, low hop, average bitterness beer, malt profile is unremarkable, doesn't contribute anything, doesn't offer anything specifically to the taste. Really kind of a weird conglomeration of nothing that stands out. Not thick, not hoppy, not really all that bitter, no roast, just kind of a hodgepodge batch.
Jun 08, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.25 by Chipwells from Georgia

Feb 05, 2021
 
Rated: 3.19 by DigitGrowler from Kentucky

May 06, 2018
 
Rated: 3.21 by Goosehunter75 from Missouri

Nov 14, 2017
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.44/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
I've been Having Trader Joe's offerings because I like to pinch a penny. (And that is increasingly hard to do as many crafters seem to have a strategy of charging a lot to be off-beat, if not weird.)
So back to TJ... a marketing genius that finds good recipes and cuts out the middle man (which in the beer business would be better for all... but also impossible given America's states rights laws.) So, TJ offers a potent beer with lots of hops and, then, the BA reviewers (who tend to like lots of hops and potent beers) trash the beer with horrible ratings. Go figure. I can't. But the rules say: review.

Looks like a good clear gold-to-amber ale. Smells like I'm going to get some alcohol. Taste has a refreshing cut given by the hops; and there, there is the alcohol as promised. Feels moderate, enough bubbles-in-the-mouth. But then, something goes off... and what is off is not my guess.

OA: C'mon guys. Learn from Trader Joe's success in offering this since 2001. Can't be a 3 average.
May 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.56 by Jjmj51 from Rhode Island

Apr 26, 2017
Photo of Shmallory0
Reviewed by Shmallory0 from Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +25.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Not too bad! Looks like a lager. Pretty simple beer but very drinkable. A little more bitter than a typical ale, but delicious none the less. Would drink again.
Mar 30, 2017
 
Rated: 3.25 by Lagerquestrian from Texas

Feb 26, 2017
 
Rated: 3.13 by BlueSpader from Washington

Feb 09, 2017
 
Rated: 2.87 by Rivarol from Washington

Feb 07, 2017
Photo of tucsonbassplayer
Reviewed by tucsonbassplayer from Arizona

3.4/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Our local Trader Joe's has these for $1.00 per bottle and it's one of the best "bang for the buck" beers you'll find. When I don't feel like taking on a ton of beer but looking for effect, it's my go to. Not a big IPA fan, but when I am kinda in a mood for an IPA, this is kinda like an IPA to me.
Jan 23, 2017
 
Rated: 3.38 by Can_if_you_can from Minnesota

Jan 15, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by jgunther71 from Illinois

Jan 08, 2017
Photo of Smakawhat
Reviewed by Smakawhat from Maryland

3.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass.

Out of the bottle it comes out quite gold and brassy, but then fills the glass with a very pale amber orange, very American Barleywine like color appearance. Head creation is minimal, but a bubbly collar is persistent. Very nice clarity, and even a tiny if ever so fine middle column of carbonation in the center.

Aroma is pretty good, but heads towards an almost Belgian candy like sucrose quality. Almost sensing fruit quality and hop angled citrus, which is not bad, but there's a touch of bile/vomit angle on this unfortunately too.

Well. On first sip this is not what I expected. A very obvious wet and watery body for a strong ale even clocking at 7%, but what gets me is the other features. There's just absolutely nothing going on here in the palate. A bit of dry malt, not even sweet. Fruity esters and hop qualities.. Nope I got next to nothing. Fleeting finish, hits with a bit of caramel but almost dissolves instantly in some flash of wetness.

I am shocked at how such a big brew as this is just so devoid of any flavor. The flipside is that this isn't choke it down or awful brew, but it really plays it safe almost in some weird way. Easily the weakest "strong" brewed beer I've ever had.
Dec 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by bigred89 from Maryland

Aug 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.46 by Gkruszewski from New York

Jul 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by Bryan12345 from Texas

Jun 24, 2016
Photo of HazelEyedHippie
Reviewed by HazelEyedHippie from California

3.16/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Overall a nice beer. It's definitely got a good amount of bitterness, but a nice amount of taste as well. Just picked up a bottle at TJ's to try (single bottle), but probably won't pick up any more. I generally like either a bit of a lighter, frutier beer, or a very dark beer, so this one is not going on my list of favorites. The bitterness is a bit offputting for me, but I do enjoy the flavor.
Jun 05, 2016
Photo of Guppy314
Reviewed by Guppy314 from District of Columbia

3.58/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Really very drinkable, but also fairly forgettable. Not much aroma, but a typical example of an American brew. There is no characteristic taste of malt or yeast. I might persuade myself that there is detectable hops, but no not really. So if there's only an average taste, then just don't pay more than an average price.
May 22, 2016
 
Rated: 3.53 by Skillz from Illinois

Apr 02, 2016
Fat Weasel Ale from Steinhaus Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 71 out of 100 with 274 ratings