Red Tide
Left Coast Brewing Company

L: Pours a hazy/murky brown-orange. A thin layer of tan head.
S: Smells of tropical fruit flavors, maybe with some dark red fruit flavors, with a bit of funk
T: Dank hops with a bit of fruit,
F: Medium body, medium-light carbonation. Slight bitterness.

 

 

Pours two fingers of head on a hazy dirty straw body.
The aroma is hay, barn with hay, borderline musty and caramel.
The taste is caramel sweet, pine and grapefruit bitterness.
The texture is fuller.
It's a robust red ale.

Definitely closer to an Amber beer than a Belgian dark, but that's besides the point. This is a real pretty, glowing red beer. Moderately carbonated, minimal head and lacing. Smells up front, very much mostly of caramel and malt, a bit of sweetness and a nice hop floral undertone. Lemongrass and citrus zest.

Very much caramely-candy-y up front on the tongue as well. Pretty malty and sweet, but also a bit of bitterness from the hop presence. Earthy, slightly nutty, bready and toasty, a little sticky; but the caramel stands out to me in this one. I was expecting a bit more spice considering this is labeled as a Belgian style. Feels crisp and clean, with some slight chewiness.

Not a bad beer by any means but I think it's confused with what style its supposed to be. Aside from that I actually kind of enjoyed this one.

I don't know why this comes under the Belgian Dark Ale category. It's closer to an American style Amber for me.
L: Red. Doesn't look like a Belgian Dark.
S: Fantastic hops aroma. Again, smells nothing like a Belgian Dark. But smells better than other Amber Ales (with the exception of BrewDog 5AM).
T: I like that the hop bitterness is balanced out so that the bitterness doesn't stand out. No bitter after taste that hits you, which is a positive for me.
O: For Amber Ales, I would rate it above Red Rocket and Anderson Boont. It even edges out Modern Times Blazing World; but that's a close call.

 

 

A nice smooth Red Ale. Slightly hoppy with a tangy finish.

 

an unbalanced waste of time, if you have made the mistake of buying it, drink it quick before it becomes flat swill

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very much a caramel beer, but surprisingly bitter. Overall, it's thin, sharp, and overly hopped. The Belgian flavors seem to add even more bitterness to the vegetal and earthy hops. What is this? It seems like a funky "Cascadian" hemp-flavored hop fest with something like a Maibock to add to the sweet confusion.

Handsome appearance in the tall Pilsener glass, with copper color and an admirable foam. Streaming bubbles. I'm always eager to try anything with a Belgian behind the woodshed, but this one is just hits all the wrong notes. The endless medicinal bitter aftertaste makes me want to spit it out. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Olive Tree Market in San Diego.