Cross Fever | Epic Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Epic Brewing Company
Utah, United States
epicbrewing.com
Style: American Amber / Red Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.80%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Our lightest in terms of alcohol comes in at 4.8% by volume so that malt can dominate the flavor profile. Caramel sweet malt all over the palate with a noticeable “jumping just over the barrier” citrus hop aroma. Surprisingly refreshing for such a malt driven ale. Truly an all season American Amber.
Added by Wasatch on 06-06-2010
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Ratings: 44 | Reviews: 21
Reviews by jamesDaExMoBeerGuy:
3.5/5 rDev +4.2%
jamesDaExMoBeerGuy, Oct 20, 2012
More User Reviews:
3.55/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
22 oz undated bottle poured a slightly hazy, deep-toned, orange-amber color. Above average head and lacing. Sweet caramel malt is the dominant aroma [3.75] and flavor. Some citrus hops too. Very good sweet/bitter balance. Exceptionally smooth and drinkable.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
22 oz undated bottle poured a slightly hazy, deep-toned, orange-amber color. Above average head and lacing. Sweet caramel malt is the dominant aroma [3.75] and flavor. Some citrus hops too. Very good sweet/bitter balance. Exceptionally smooth and drinkable.
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4.1/5 rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
appearance: good long lasting head, slightly hazy, medium amber color
Smell: caramel malts and pellet hops
Taste: Bitter hops, fresh malt with a slight caramel finish,
great balance between hops and malts
Mouthfeel: medium bodied with good carbonation
Drinkability: Very drinkable, a good effort for the style
Used burgundy glass, beer at 60F
no born on
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
appearance: good long lasting head, slightly hazy, medium amber color
Smell: caramel malts and pellet hops
Taste: Bitter hops, fresh malt with a slight caramel finish,
great balance between hops and malts
Mouthfeel: medium bodied with good carbonation
Drinkability: Very drinkable, a good effort for the style
Used burgundy glass, beer at 60F
no born on
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3.37/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Rustic cola pour appears a deep, cherry-candy apple with strong backlighting. The head is weak and washy, sparse in height and dissipates rather quickly. A single trail of closely knitted micro-bubbles snakes its way upward.
S: The aroma is moderate in strength composed of flowery pine and toasted malt.
T: The flavor comes off a bit thin at first but thankfully gains some substance thereafter. Sweet caramelized toasted grains are dry with instances of flowery pine hops. There is a touch of spiciness, spruce and spicy flowery grapefruit bitterness after the swallow.
M: Nice sharpness of carbonation, especially around the tongues edges providing some crispness. Medium malty body.
O: Overall nicely balanced, reasonably good drinkability. Moderately good flavor.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Rustic cola pour appears a deep, cherry-candy apple with strong backlighting. The head is weak and washy, sparse in height and dissipates rather quickly. A single trail of closely knitted micro-bubbles snakes its way upward.
S: The aroma is moderate in strength composed of flowery pine and toasted malt.
T: The flavor comes off a bit thin at first but thankfully gains some substance thereafter. Sweet caramelized toasted grains are dry with instances of flowery pine hops. There is a touch of spiciness, spruce and spicy flowery grapefruit bitterness after the swallow.
M: Nice sharpness of carbonation, especially around the tongues edges providing some crispness. Medium malty body.
O: Overall nicely balanced, reasonably good drinkability. Moderately good flavor.
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3.68/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This review brought to you and me by Inflatablechair and Inflatablechair's boss. Thanks fellas.
Pours with sorta yellowish tinged off white head... foamy big bubbles... the brew is a bit yeast hazed amber... spotty lace with good retention.
Nose focuses on toasty malts and whaffs of caramel... background citrus hops... something in there that I am having a hard time picking out.. some sort of yeasty byproduct that isn't really off-putting, just peculiar.
Flavor is again malt driven.. toasty... biscuity... caramel essence ... not enough hop bitterness in my mind.. hop flavors are there as a mild citrus presence.. a bit husky as it warms up...
body and carbonation are pretty much spot-on for the style.
Good beer... I am feeling jaded drinking it though ... I need to get back to normal Session beers more often... I would probably buy this occasionally if it were available and the price was right (certainly less than $4).
Muchas Gracias Sam.
4/3.5/3.5/4/4
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This review brought to you and me by Inflatablechair and Inflatablechair's boss. Thanks fellas.
Pours with sorta yellowish tinged off white head... foamy big bubbles... the brew is a bit yeast hazed amber... spotty lace with good retention.
Nose focuses on toasty malts and whaffs of caramel... background citrus hops... something in there that I am having a hard time picking out.. some sort of yeasty byproduct that isn't really off-putting, just peculiar.
Flavor is again malt driven.. toasty... biscuity... caramel essence ... not enough hop bitterness in my mind.. hop flavors are there as a mild citrus presence.. a bit husky as it warms up...
body and carbonation are pretty much spot-on for the style.
Good beer... I am feeling jaded drinking it though ... I need to get back to normal Session beers more often... I would probably buy this occasionally if it were available and the price was right (certainly less than $4).
Muchas Gracias Sam.
4/3.5/3.5/4/4
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3.03/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
poured from 22oz bottle into imperial pint glass
A-deep mahogany/firebrick red with a 2 finger head that fades almost completely away without much lacing
S-some carmel malt and a fruity hint of maybe apple/pear
T-carmel smell gives way to mare of a toffee taste follwed by the apple fruitiness again
M-medium body with a nice creaminess and good carbonation
O-not bad reasonably priced bomber that I would definitely drink again if I could get it around here. Not a below average beer that this score will end up being because I rated it as average, it is a solid beer though not exceptional
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
poured from 22oz bottle into imperial pint glass
A-deep mahogany/firebrick red with a 2 finger head that fades almost completely away without much lacing
S-some carmel malt and a fruity hint of maybe apple/pear
T-carmel smell gives way to mare of a toffee taste follwed by the apple fruitiness again
M-medium body with a nice creaminess and good carbonation
O-not bad reasonably priced bomber that I would definitely drink again if I could get it around here. Not a below average beer that this score will end up being because I rated it as average, it is a solid beer though not exceptional
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3.5/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass.
3.5 A: Moderately hazed orange amber color. Two fingers of frothy beige head. Retention is about average and a good amount of lacing is left.
3.5 S: Toasty with grainy malts. Moderate neutral malt sweetness. Simple, but pleasant.
3.5 T: Taste the same. Toasted malts is the focus with graininess and neutral sweetness next. Tasty.
3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Lightly creamy and insanely smooth.
3.5 D: Standard, but solid amber. Good enough all around.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass.
3.5 A: Moderately hazed orange amber color. Two fingers of frothy beige head. Retention is about average and a good amount of lacing is left.
3.5 S: Toasty with grainy malts. Moderate neutral malt sweetness. Simple, but pleasant.
3.5 T: Taste the same. Toasted malts is the focus with graininess and neutral sweetness next. Tasty.
3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Lightly creamy and insanely smooth.
3.5 D: Standard, but solid amber. Good enough all around.
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3.55/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Chill hazed red colored ale with a small tan to light brown colored head.
Smells hoppy and woody with lots of caramel and malt scent too. Toffee and citrus with a little chocolate cake scent.
Starts out malty and a little sweet. Hard water taste with a mild caramel flavor. Tasty but not super complex.
Mouthfeel is good.
Overall this is a pretty good version of what you could call a middle of the road ale. Tasty and refreshing this is the sort of beer that goes with everything and is good for anytime of year.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Chill hazed red colored ale with a small tan to light brown colored head.
Smells hoppy and woody with lots of caramel and malt scent too. Toffee and citrus with a little chocolate cake scent.
Starts out malty and a little sweet. Hard water taste with a mild caramel flavor. Tasty but not super complex.
Mouthfeel is good.
Overall this is a pretty good version of what you could call a middle of the road ale. Tasty and refreshing this is the sort of beer that goes with everything and is good for anytime of year.
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3.5/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.36/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
4.3/5 rDev +28%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Split a 22oz bomber. Pleasantly surprised with this one as was not expecting much given B- overall rating. This is a solid, moderately flavorful, tasty amber. Good for one or a few. I'd give this a B+ minimum. Come on people what is not to like with this one?
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Split a 22oz bomber. Pleasantly surprised with this one as was not expecting much given B- overall rating. This is a solid, moderately flavorful, tasty amber. Good for one or a few. I'd give this a B+ minimum. Come on people what is not to like with this one?
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3.7/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
22 ounce bottle thanks to Craig for hooking this up. Pours a dark amber color with a medium off-white head. The aroma is sweet caramel malts, musty. The flavor is nice and smooth; rich sweet caramel, light bitter hops, light citrus, dry malts. Smooth and very nice.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
22 ounce bottle thanks to Craig for hooking this up. Pours a dark amber color with a medium off-white head. The aroma is sweet caramel malts, musty. The flavor is nice and smooth; rich sweet caramel, light bitter hops, light citrus, dry malts. Smooth and very nice.
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2.24/5 rDev -33.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
A: Dark orange copper body, with an off white head. Its a little hazy throughout.
S: Nothing special here... some caramel malt, and some spice, but its all very modest.
T: Some sweetness, caramel flavor, but it becomes very bitter and soapy... not impressive.
M: Low carbonation, very light.
O: Well it looked good, but I don't find anything redeeming after that.
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look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
A: Dark orange copper body, with an off white head. Its a little hazy throughout.
S: Nothing special here... some caramel malt, and some spice, but its all very modest.
T: Some sweetness, caramel flavor, but it becomes very bitter and soapy... not impressive.
M: Low carbonation, very light.
O: Well it looked good, but I don't find anything redeeming after that.
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3.25/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.41/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Handsome clear amber in the glass with a touch of copper, and some nice suds. Flavor is subtle, to be generous about it. A whiff of malt. Hints of caramel. Not much in the way of hops. Seems so plain and not worth the effort for the first glass. But it does wear well. You just have to give it the bottoms up instead of splashing it around on your tongue.
Another lower-alcohol Utah Amber that doesn't get very far. But in the big scheme of things, if it was even cheaper, you'd think it was excellent if it came in 32 oz cans.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Handsome clear amber in the glass with a touch of copper, and some nice suds. Flavor is subtle, to be generous about it. A whiff of malt. Hints of caramel. Not much in the way of hops. Seems so plain and not worth the effort for the first glass. But it does wear well. You just have to give it the bottoms up instead of splashing it around on your tongue.
Another lower-alcohol Utah Amber that doesn't get very far. But in the big scheme of things, if it was even cheaper, you'd think it was excellent if it came in 32 oz cans.
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3.43/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle from the brewery in Salt Lake. $3.50 or so. Into a New Belgium globe.
A: Pours a very cloudy red/brown with an off white head about half an inch that recedes to a thin cap, and some clumpy spots of lacing.
S: Almost all malts in this one, a few notes of burnt malts, some caramel and just a bit of earthyness way back at the end. Very bready for the most part.
T: Follows the nose pretty nicely, with the malty bready flavors, just a bit of roast. Bitterness is incredibly mild and faint. Not much of a hop profile, but what is there reminds me more of an English pale ale. Seems a little watery and incredibly tame. Not by any means offensive, but not quite up to what I had hoped. Pretty good intro beer though.
M: Light and watery, fairly dry. Not too bad here.
D: I could drink this all night if it was around, priced pretty decently to session as well. Not a bad amber, but by no means the best. Definitely a beer I'll keep around for the BMC crowd, will make a great intro beer.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle from the brewery in Salt Lake. $3.50 or so. Into a New Belgium globe.
A: Pours a very cloudy red/brown with an off white head about half an inch that recedes to a thin cap, and some clumpy spots of lacing.
S: Almost all malts in this one, a few notes of burnt malts, some caramel and just a bit of earthyness way back at the end. Very bready for the most part.
T: Follows the nose pretty nicely, with the malty bready flavors, just a bit of roast. Bitterness is incredibly mild and faint. Not much of a hop profile, but what is there reminds me more of an English pale ale. Seems a little watery and incredibly tame. Not by any means offensive, but not quite up to what I had hoped. Pretty good intro beer though.
M: Light and watery, fairly dry. Not too bad here.
D: I could drink this all night if it was around, priced pretty decently to session as well. Not a bad amber, but by no means the best. Definitely a beer I'll keep around for the BMC crowd, will make a great intro beer.
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Cross Fever from Epic Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.36 out of
5 with
44 ratings