City Brew
Thomas Creek Brewery

 

Brewed exclusively for City Range in Spartanburg, SC by Thomas Creek. Served from tap into a pilsner. Poured a deep reddish orange with a half finger slightly off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, caramel, and caramel hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, caramel, caramel hop, slight brown sugar, and slight cotton candy. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this brew wasn't bad, but it also wasn't that good either. The sweetness on this one from the malt and caramel flavors reminded me of a candied apple without the apple. Just too sweet forward for me for a Red Ale. When I say sweet I don't mean like a Lambic just for clarification... Just lacked any real bite from the hops. This one was the better of the two offerings by City Range that was brewed for them, but that wasn't saying much really...

On tap at the city range in Spartanburg. Poured a nice brown/red amber with a decent off white head, but no real lace. Very nice aroma of roasted malts with a touch of hoppiness and a nice balanced sweetness. Taste was very spicey, with hints of nutmeg and some apple. A hint of cinamon and just an overall very robust flavor. This was my favorite rockers brew so far, very unigue and a must try if you are in the area. I could drink this all night.

This beer is served on draft at the two City Range locations: one location is in Spartanburg near the intersection of I26 and HIghway 29, and the other in Greenville (both in South Carolina, of course) on Haywood. I really enjoy this amber ale. Lots of body and flavor and for $2 during happy hour, it is unbeatable. Always served in a frosted glass. This is your typical amber; red and somewhat fruity. A very drinkable brew, especially while enjoying the outdoors in the outdoor seating area in the summer.

Bright copper color with a thin head that disappears quickly leaving a little bit of lacing. Big biscuity malt nose. Biscuit taste with faint hops. Smooth clean tasting brew. Leaves toasted malt on the palate. A good amber worth trying more than once.

Notes: This is a Thomas Creek beer brewed for a steakhouse in Spartanburg, SC called City Range. They also bottle it now though.

Updated 3.27.2006: The six pack I picked up was sent to Clemson by mistake. Apparently to get this offering, you have to go to the steakhouse in Spartanburg.