Redd's Wicked Apple Ale
Miller Brewing Co.

Redd's Brewing Co. "Redd's Wicked Apple Ale"
24 fl. oz. can coded "APR2522 44 F1060020733". Sampled on 16 January 2022.
$2.59 @ Javies Beverage, Philadelphia, PA

Notes via stream of consciousness: For years now I've thought that these beers were malternatives because they're usually displayed in coolers alongside Four-Loko, Twisted Tea, and hard lemonades. It says that it's an ale though, right on the label, so it must be (at least for government regulation). It's poured a crystal clear deep-amber colored body with golden highlights near the base of the glass. I never really got a full head out of it despite a rough pour but what was there was white. The lack of head retention is an issue in my opinion, but whatever. It smells like apple. I'm thinking it's got a combination of Granny Smith and juicy Red Delicious with a little bit of fallen apple as well. There's some artificial "Jolly Rancher" candy to it but it's not that bad. I was expecting that as the label clearly reads "ALE WITH NATURAL APPLE FLAVOR AND CARAMEL COLOR". There is absolutely no head on it right now, and it doesn't have a whole lot of bubbles rising to the surface either so let's give it a taste. The apple flavor is kind of like the aroma. It's somewhat artificial, but not completely so. It doesn't have the full on "Jolly Rancher" effect, and yet it's still there. In fact, that's basically all that's there. The sweet "malt" is just a base for the apple. It tastes like a sweet cider. There's a touch of acidity to it, but keep in mind all beer is acidic, and it finishes surprisingly drier than you might expect. The sweetness doesn't build, and I can't imagine that this could become cloying even if you drank several 24 oz. cans in a row. That would be way too much, but I don't think you end up with a sticky mouth. Perhaps the alcohol is helping out at 8%, and yet I never find the alcohol. Ahh, I spoke too soon. Perhaps because I was thinking of it I found it. You can get a little tiny bit right after the swallow. It's not nearly as clear as it is in a lot of malternatives though. In the mouth it's light to light-medium in body and gently crisp. Although it was made from pears, it reminds me a little bit of something I used to drink in Ireland called Ritz. It was sweeter than a standard cider like Bulmer's or Strongbow. So what to make of this? Or more importantly, how to score it? It's definitely not an "ale" with apple flavoring added. It's an alcoholic drink with sugary apple flavor as it's only component. In a way I do like it, although it's too sweet for my tastes overall.
Review #7,695

Smells amazing and has an exceptionally crisp apple taste that is perfect for fans of both cider and light beer. However, this one checks in at 8% ABV. It's a win-win.

 

 

 

Drank from the 24oz can.

Let's not kid ourselves here. Sometimes, you look for something that will just get you buzzed as easily as possible. And this one was easy. Well, at least easier and less offensive than a typical malt liquor. Smell has a bit of that cheap beeriness to it - a bit boozy covered by apple. The taste is very much like a cider with little beer characteristics. So much so that I am surprised this is even a beer. However it doesn't cross the line into being a sugary soda. It stays in cider territory, which was a nice surprise. A little while in it goes a little into the too-sweet category, but hey what do you expect. This gets the job done.

24 ounce can into tulip glass, best before 4/19/2021. Pours crystal clear deep golden/orange/amber color with a 1 finger foamy off head with good retention, that reduces to thin lace cap that lingers. Some spotty soapy lacing on the glass, clinging bubbles and streaming carbonation. Aromas and flavors of big juicy red/green apples, fruit peel, citrus, grain, white sugar syrup, caramel and herbal/grassy earthiness. Touch of alcohol booze in the aromas as it warms, but not overwhelming. Light herbal/grassy bitterness and alcohol spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of juicy red/green apples, fruit peel, citrus, grain, white sugar syrup, and herbal/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Great robustness and balance of apples, and grain/sugar flavors; with a great malt/bitter/alcohol spiciness balance, and no cloying sweetness after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitterness and spicy alcohol. Fairly crisp/clean finishing. Medium-plus carbonation and body; with a very smooth and lightly creamy/syrupy/sticky mouthfeel that is great. Fairly refreshing for the ABV. Mild increasing warmth of 8% after the finish. Overall this is a great flavored malt liquor. All around nice robustness and balance of apples, and grain/sugar flavors; dangerously smooth and easy to drink for the ABV with the mildly bitter/spicy alcohol finish. A very enjoyable offering without feeling too artificial. Tasted much like other malt beverages I've had, but much smoother for the ABV.

 

 

 

 

This is by far the best beer that I have ever tasted. Redd's Wicked Apple is the best thing that's ever happened to the beer industry! I would love to do a commercial saying so. I'm your biggest fan. I drink Redd's Wicked Apple every day if possible. It used to be easy to find everywhere even though it may not be the flavor you want, but since this pandemic started more people have caught on to the wonderful taste, and now you can hardly find it on the shelves. It's been a fight each week just to find Redd's, in the 24oz. can, the 8oz. can, or the bottles. Please, please make more! Would like more lemonade and sour apple flavors here in Anderson County S.C. Love, love the black cherry and the regular flavor! Why don't you guys do commercials? If you need someone to rep your brand I will be honored to do so! Thanks for creating this deliciousness, I am so grateful!

 

L: Pours like a slightly fizzy apple juice. Head is very soda reminiscent but disappears in seconds. Bubbles mostly resting at the bottom.

S: Straight up apple. I'm a sucker for the smell, so this sits well with me.

T: Tastes like Apple Fanta with an alcoholic kick. Not very beer-ish but enjoyable.

F: Sweet and pleasant on the pallate.

O: It's basically alcoholic apple soda, and that's perfectly fine considering it tastes good.

Nothing special. A decent tasting, higher abv malt beverage. It’s reds apple ale just intensified with more of an alcohol taste as expected.

this is some wickedly yummy stuff. beyond a wine cooler and beyond flavored malt liquor. this is really good by its self out of the can but to reall experience it you have get a big balloon wine glas. Goes down smooth and tastes magfifigant when paired with spicy food and snacks

It’s 8% abv of sweet, apple cider nicely carbonated into an affordable flavored malt beer that meets most cider standards. How does this have a poor review? Would you guys rather drink Blackberry Steele Reserve? Yummy, quick, cheap buzz. The candy of cheap malt beverages.

 

Compared to the watermelon, this is moderately drinkable. Also has a bit more of a head. Could be just a bit more acidic, slightly sweeter, too for a fruity drink. I'll pass on buying it again though.

 

 

 

24oz can poured into Duvel tulip. Stamped FEB2519 on bottom of can, so this will still be fresh for more than 3 months. Grabbed for $2.50 at the grocery store.

Appearance - Pours very loose white seafoam head with low retention and no lacing. Clear apple juice colored body. 1.5

Smell - Smells like a combination of strong tones of artificial apple with faint undertones of real apple. Doesn't smell like a fruit beer. Smells more like some kind of flavored malt beverage like a smirnoff type deal or a cider or something else. There's no trace of beerness here. But at least it's only somewhat offensive, and not completely offensive. 1.5

Taste - Awful. Basically a smirnoff or something. Hopefully it doesn't give heartburn the same way those do. More like perfume than beer or fruit. I'm just glad there's no bad aftertaste so the worst part of is only the part where you have to drink it. The alcohol definitely isn't hidden.1.25

Mouthfeel - Light to medium bodied. Acidic. Slightly sticky at first but a mostly clean finish. Its one redeeming quality. The fact that it leaves you alone after it violates you. 2.25

Overall - Not a tasting beer. Not a session beer. This is a beer for someone who doesn't like beer. Maybe someone who wants to get drunk on a mixed drink over the course of a few glasses rather than a few quick liquor shots. This is cheap wine for people who like carbonation. 1.5

 

Very appley. Nice beer for a hot day and gets you smashed quickly. The best beer that Miller's ever made.

 

 

 

Clean, rather fruity, well rounded drink. Enjoyed it for the most part. Not the worst nor the best I have had.

For 99 cents on sale non refrigeratored at the boat gas dock I keep 10 at a time in the cooler, works great for those that show up empty handed an wake up with a headache; )

But for those that complain like they are the Cadillac brewer of malt liquor beers get over yourselves an stand for the Anthem when played.

 

 

 

 

It was ok, if you want to try something different.

 

24 fl. oz. can for $2.50. Purchased in Libby, MT, at a Town Pump.

Surprised to see this on Beeradvocate. Even more surprised to see the high ratings, and that's coming from someone that really likes cheap beers and the Four Loko/Joose/Sparks beverages.

The "Wicked" line is 8.0% and different than the "original" line.

Fruit/Vegetable beer? Lol, more like flavored high gravity malt liquor.

I've had, and enjoyed, apple flavored malt beverages (think Four Loko green apple) and I've had cheap ciders. This is neither of those. This is an apple flavored and caramel colored malt liquor pretending to be a cider that's labled as an ale. WTF?

A: 24 fl. oz. can clearly states that caramel color is added. Dark cream soda. Huge bubbles, no lace, no head. Filtered apple cider. Fake, fake, fake.

S: Mega-cheap malt liquor hits first. Noticeably boozy. Perfume-like apple.

T: This has to have artificial sweeteners in it. Comically bad. Sugary sweetness, apple juice, malt liquor, hop bitterness, garbage. Nothing goes together. This is a vomiting of tastes thrown into one product. I can't believe this was greenlighted.

M: Ginger ale. Huge carbonation bubbles. Bitterness lingers.

O: Horrible. Don't play games with your identity. Be a flavored malt liquor, or be a cider, but don't be garbage.

 

As far as flavored beers go, Redd's Apple is not horrible... Obviously, "not horrible" does not mean "I liked it". Granted, I'm not a big Ale guy myself. If you're looking for a cheap beer that "feels" like a premium ale; then go for it.