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Barking Squirrel Lager
Hop City Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Hop City Brewing Co.
- Ontario, Canada
- Style:
- American Amber / Red Lager
Ranked #48 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 79
Ranked #28,158 - Avg:
- 3.47 | pDev: 15.27%
- Reviews:
- 148
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 03, 2023
- Added:
- Nov 16, 2009
- Wants:
- 16
- Gots:
- 148
SCORE
79
Okay
79
Okay
Notes:
Barking Squirrel is a 5% ABV amber lager with a distinct rich burnt orange colour and subtle noble hop aroma. Its medium body, pleasant hop bitterness and caramel malt sweetness makes it smooth and drinkable with a slight hop aftertaste.
24 IBU
24 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts
3.47/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.47/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Draft at YYZ Airport
Pours a large foamy bubbly 2 finger head with med retention, light lacing, hazy amber to orange color
Nose sweet toasty malt, amber slight biscuity, caramel sweet hint of toffee and bready, mild fruity esters, light floral hops
Taste brings mild sweet malt, little caramel toffee, toasted amber malt, touch bready biscuity like, little sweet almost syrupy character, light floral herbal hop, light bitterness turning to med bitterness late, semi sweet finish, little weird bitterness almost sulfury skunky like
Mouth is med bod, med prickly carb
Overall eh, ok but not great
Feb 03, 2023Pours a large foamy bubbly 2 finger head with med retention, light lacing, hazy amber to orange color
Nose sweet toasty malt, amber slight biscuity, caramel sweet hint of toffee and bready, mild fruity esters, light floral hops
Taste brings mild sweet malt, little caramel toffee, toasted amber malt, touch bready biscuity like, little sweet almost syrupy character, light floral herbal hop, light bitterness turning to med bitterness late, semi sweet finish, little weird bitterness almost sulfury skunky like
Mouth is med bod, med prickly carb
Overall eh, ok but not great
Rated by karsten61
3.25/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
3.25/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
Strong caramel smell. Has a redish brown colour. It has a strong toffee/caramel flavour. Has a stale aftertaste but has a nice texture. 44/100
Jun 23, 2021
Reviewed by BPVandenbroek from Canada (AB)
2.77/5 rDev -20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.77/5 rDev -20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Barking Squirrel is a crystal clear, medium copper colored lager with a packed, cream colored head. Retention is decent, if not outright great.
Taking a sniff, the first thing I smell is caramel sweetness. Nuttiness combines with soda cracker to lend support and depth to that up front sweetness. The rest of Barking Squirrel's nose is dry and slightly bready with no notable hop profile in the finish.
On the tongue, Barking Squirrel starts off sweet, with carbonation swooping in pretty quick in a way that feels maybe a little over assertive. As with the nose the flavors are nutty, and dry in a generally bready sort of a way. The flavors don't really come together well though, they somehow just don't mesh together in a way that's balanced or harmonious. There seems to be a slick, out of place sweetness in there as well, driving things a little more out of balance.
Barking Squirrel just tastes like a mainstream lager's attempt at an amber ale. The flavors are there, they just don't compliment or balance each other in a way that's enjoyable.
May 26, 2021Taking a sniff, the first thing I smell is caramel sweetness. Nuttiness combines with soda cracker to lend support and depth to that up front sweetness. The rest of Barking Squirrel's nose is dry and slightly bready with no notable hop profile in the finish.
On the tongue, Barking Squirrel starts off sweet, with carbonation swooping in pretty quick in a way that feels maybe a little over assertive. As with the nose the flavors are nutty, and dry in a generally bready sort of a way. The flavors don't really come together well though, they somehow just don't mesh together in a way that's balanced or harmonious. There seems to be a slick, out of place sweetness in there as well, driving things a little more out of balance.
Barking Squirrel just tastes like a mainstream lager's attempt at an amber ale. The flavors are there, they just don't compliment or balance each other in a way that's enjoyable.
Reviewed by jujugo from Canada (ON)
3.58/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.58/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Light, creamy, caramel flavours accompanying a deep, bronze pour. Wafts of nuttiness with a slight bitterness and undertones of hops. Great after a heavy meal.
Mar 17, 2021Reviewed by Richard_Hung from Florida
2.36/5 rDev -32%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
2.36/5 rDev -32%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
You’re in a band. Not a great band, but you see potential in your drummer. You play mostly tribute gigs, Ozzy and Warrant, at a dive bar in Brampton. You drink Barking Squirrel.
Oct 29, 2020
Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
3.06/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.06/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Clear bronze appearance with an average size, short lived, off white head and a fair amount of lacing. Subtle, grainy, sweet malt aroma. Sweet caramel malt taste dominated until a modest amount of spicy hops popped up in the aftertaste. Medium bodied, decently carbonated mouthfeel
Jul 05, 2020
Reviewed by Tony787 from Canada (ON)
3.9/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.9/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This beer was bought at lcbo and poured into glass with nice 2 finger head the small 1/2 finger head lasted as you are drinking which is nice
The color and look of this beer is amazing.
No date on can
Taste was good
Mar 17, 2020The color and look of this beer is amazing.
No date on can
Taste was good
Rated by Floridasbeerman
1.89/5 rDev -45.5%
look: 4 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
1.89/5 rDev -45.5%
look: 4 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
Looks great. Lacking on the palette. Too easy drinking to be notable.
Sep 08, 2019
Reviewed by AyatollahGold from Indiana
4.21/5 rDev +21.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.21/5 rDev +21.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pouring from a 16 oz. can into a Willi Becher glass, this beer pours out like a dark, liquid caramel with ruby highlights. It’s perfectly clear and forms a finger worth of eggshell white colored crown.
The nose brings toasted caramel sweetness with a prominence.
The taste comes in with more of that toasted caramel sweetness along with notes of grain. Slight hop presence, hints of fresh cut grass, but balanced and not overpowering.
The mouthfeel is smooth, crisp and clean with a dry finish. A little bitterness from the hops, that I think if they were toned back would make this cleaner.
Overall, this is what I want from the style. Clean and easy drinking.
Jun 22, 2019The nose brings toasted caramel sweetness with a prominence.
The taste comes in with more of that toasted caramel sweetness along with notes of grain. Slight hop presence, hints of fresh cut grass, but balanced and not overpowering.
The mouthfeel is smooth, crisp and clean with a dry finish. A little bitterness from the hops, that I think if they were toned back would make this cleaner.
Overall, this is what I want from the style. Clean and easy drinking.
Rated by Nass from Florida
3.1/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.1/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
One of the better amber lagers that I have been able to try, I do recommend this beer if you can't get a hold of it. Cheers! B-
Feb 02, 2019Rated by therearesomewhocallmedan from Canada (ON)
4.04/5 rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Amber coloured, pleasant, sweet smell to it. Thick head that takes a while to dissipate. Excellent taste. This has become my go-to beer.
Oct 06, 2018
Rated by ncdmz from North Carolina
3.8/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.8/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Refreshing and tasty. Reminded me of a beefed up Sam Adams. I liked it.
Aug 07, 2018Reviewed by Larryfunnell from Canada (ON)
4.16/5 rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.16/5 rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Great colour and clarity, but the head when poured was only about 1/2" and dissipated quickly. The smell was good, a bit stronger than many beers, with a good taste.
Jun 22, 2018
Reviewed by eberesford from Canada (ON)
3.46/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.46/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Can from LCBO - pours sparkling clear dark amber with a thinnish but stable creamy off white head. Aroma: caramel. Taste: grainy, bready caramel hint off hops and some carbonic bite.
Mar 14, 2018
Reviewed by Ry_Guy_75 from Canada (ON)
2.97/5 rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
2.97/5 rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Hints of Caramel and not too hazy of a beer. Quite a Crushable lager with more taste then most . Pretty nice balance , not too bitter . Not my go too but could definitely party with this beer.
Feb 14, 2018
Rated by Beerbuds from Canada (ON)
3.62/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.62/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Not a huge fan of amber lagers but easy drinking and nice balance.
Jan 28, 2018
Reviewed by q33jeff from New Jersey
3.77/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
**
08/25/17
Picked up a few singles from The Beer Store in Niagara Ontario.
Can to hotel water glass.
LOOK: medium brown color Karma, healthy off-white head, creamy looking, good retention.
AROMA: grains, rye, touches of honey and wood.
TASTE: caramel malt, mineral. Rice.
FEEL: medium body, creamy feel, a touch flat, but Smooth drinking.
Pretty solid. Easy drinker.
**
Aug 26, 201708/25/17
Picked up a few singles from The Beer Store in Niagara Ontario.
Can to hotel water glass.
LOOK: medium brown color Karma, healthy off-white head, creamy looking, good retention.
AROMA: grains, rye, touches of honey and wood.
TASTE: caramel malt, mineral. Rice.
FEEL: medium body, creamy feel, a touch flat, but Smooth drinking.
Pretty solid. Easy drinker.
**
Barking Squirrel Lager from Hop City Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
79 out of
100 with
619 ratings
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