Absolution Ale
Church Brew Works

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From:
Church Brew Works
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
ABV:
5.8%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.97 | pDev: 9.32%
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
11
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 08, 2016
Added:
Apr 12, 2006
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  3
Our Absolution Ale is an American Amber Ale in style. This is a style that has evolved in the last 12 years with the explosion of the microbrewery movement. Ours was brewed with American Grains, American hops, and by American brewers. It is a reasonably big beer with a full profile. This means that it has a big body and a good balance of the malt and hops with neither overpowering the other. The body of the Absolution Ale is full with nice caramel tones, and should finish a touch sweet. The hop character is most noticeable as a hop flavor although it will have some hop bitterness in the finish. Let me know how you like it.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of Boto
Reviewed by Boto from Connecticut

3.59/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Draught @ Tapped: This one pours a crystal clear amber color. It had a small tan head that left minimal lacing. The nose was decent. Malty, earthy with a slight sweetness. The taste was also good. Malty, earthy with a slight sweetness. Smooth and well balanced: almost lager-like. A fine example of an Amber Ale.
Mar 08, 2016
Photo of tviz33
Reviewed by tviz33 from New York

4.28/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Had this as part of a sampler, and initially I thought this was the worst of the eight offerings. Sort of of piney and medicinal when it's cold, but as it warms the flavor and aroma was much different. The taste and smell was unmistakably marijuana, which I've never tasted so strongly in a beer. It was actually inviting in this beer. Will try again.
Apr 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.61 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Dec 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by RBorsato from Virginia

Oct 22, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Dapper_Dan_Man from Pennsylvania

Aug 03, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by gjrey

May 20, 2012
Photo of bdupree
Reviewed by bdupree from North Carolina

4.32/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Great dark amber color, good one-inch head. Looks great holding it up to the stained glass windows in CBW!

S - The bartender hinted I would like this for its hoppy character, and she was right. I immediately picked up the hop aroma, but it was a strange blend with the toasty undertones.

T - Tastes just as good as it smells, and the blend is excellent. It is unique as a pale ale style. Hops are fresh, and I think this just came from a fresh vat.

M - Medium body on the palate, smooth as sink.

D - Very drinkable, and as good as anything CBW had on tap the day we visited.
Mar 28, 2010
Photo of ncrbrew
Reviewed by ncrbrew from Pennsylvania

4.77/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Very good all around beer. Good malty presence with nice IBU's, hop flavor, and aroma. If it's available, and you like to know youre drinking a hoppy beer but not have your taste buds shutdown for a few days, it's very worth drinking. The church has been making leaps and bounds in the past few years. This is just one of the many great beers that they have been crafting up for us. Keep up the great work guys.
Mar 24, 2008
Photo of bigdeuce
Reviewed by bigdeuce from Pennsylvania

3.97/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very toasty and malty upfront. Smells slightly tart and hints of fruity flavor. A hopped up American Amber Ale is how I would describe it. Again, malty backbone, with a nice, nice, hoppy kickback. I could not detect which hops are used, my guess is centennial, but I am not sure. Almost had enough ingredients to be classified as an American Strong, but not quite. A nice overall beer and quite quaffable!
Feb 17, 2008
Photo of OldFrothingSlosh
Reviewed by OldFrothingSlosh from Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had the cask version prior to the tap version. Mistake. The tap version is harsher. Clearer and more amber than the cask version. More pronounced citrus and ETOH notes. Sweet citrus in the beginning, with more bitterness rolling in. Didn't have the acidic character that the cask version did. Decent mouthfeel and drinkability. Average.
Apr 15, 2006
Photo of TurdFurgison
Reviewed by TurdFurgison from Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
I had this at the brewery in Pittsburgh in early April 2006. It's a seasonal beer, so it's not available all the time.

It was served in a pint glass, with deep orange color. The head was slightly off-white, didn't last too long.

The brewery called this an American amber ale, and stated that it was well-balanced in terms of hops/malt. To me it was a strong version of an American amber, a little heavy in mouthfeel but I like that. It wasn't completely balanced in my opinion, kind of slanted towards hoppy bitterness. Not a bad thing, but not as advertised.

Pretty good stuff, absolutely stunning brewery. I'll come back to the church again.
Apr 15, 2006
Absolution Ale from Church Brew Works
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 11 ratings