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Red Bird Ale
Portsmouth Brewing Co. / Mault's Brewpub


- From:
- Portsmouth Brewing Co. / Mault's Brewpub
- Ohio, United States
- Style:
- California Common / Steam Beer
- ABV:
- 4.8%
- Score:
- 74
- Avg:
- 3.06 | pDev: 23.2%
- Reviews:
- 15
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 19, 2021
- Added:
- Oct 13, 2003
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 7
An American Home Run! Named for the 1939 Portsmouth, Ohio, minor league baseball team, Red Bird Ale is a classic steam ale brewed in tribute to the steam ales enjoyed along the Ohio river in the early 1800’s. Caramel malts lend the gorgeous red color and full flavor perfectly balanced with domestic Willamette, Perle & Liberty hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.08/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.08/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Taster at brewery. Light amber pour, spotty head. Aroma is malty, lightly sweet. Taste is weak malt, kind of bland and a tangy, odd bitter finish. Not impressed.
Oct 19, 2021Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)
3.4/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.4/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Rating from notes. Consumed January 2013. "A bit lacking in flavour, and gets a little watery in taste / thin in mouthfeel as beer warms. Could be better."
Jan 25, 2020Reviewed by metter98 from New York
3.74/5 rDev +22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev +22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On-tap at Hocking Hills Winery, Logan, OH
A: The beer is clear reddish copper in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high off white head.
S: Light to moderate aromas of woody and herbal hops are present in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of biscuity malts and herbal hops with a light to moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and very dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a well-hopped steam beer.
Serving type: bottle
Nov 29, 2019A: The beer is clear reddish copper in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high off white head.
S: Light to moderate aromas of woody and herbal hops are present in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of biscuity malts and herbal hops with a light to moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and very dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a well-hopped steam beer.
Serving type: bottle
Reviewed by dcotom from Iowa
3.53/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from 12-ounce bottle into a tulip glass. Pours a clear copper color, with an aggressive pour yielding a thick white head that settled into a thin cap. Decent lacing. Aromas and flavors of caramel and dark fruit, with some tart apple and an herbal note. Finish is on the dry side, with some pleasant bitterness and a bit of tartness. The brewer lists this as a California Common, with an ABV of 4.8%. From the style description, this beer would seem to fit very well. Whatever you call it, it's a pretty solid beer.
Jan 06, 2018Reviewed by iwashmycar
1.29/5 rDev -57.8%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.5
1.29/5 rDev -57.8%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.5
Poured from bottle into what I had on hand. More of a snifter shaped glass. Does have a really nice Amber color. Head dissolves quickly and what little lace goes shortly thereafter. Smell is bitter and grainy. Taste follows with bitter pennies and hay. Mouthfeel is watery and leaves an extra bitter aftertaste. Bought it from a neighborhood market since they sell local (state) brews. This one was a mistake. I will note I tried one last night right from a bottle and the bottle tasted ten times more bitter. Almost as if the cap left it on the lip of the bottle. Yuck.
Jun 12, 2015Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina
3.68/5 rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.68/5 rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This is actually a Calif Common: "A classic steam ale, dating back to the early 1800's". In any case, a very well crafted beer and, unlike their flagship pilsner, not lacking in hops. Medium-light amber with exceptional clarity. It has a head with nice size, density and durability, and it leaves an abundance of lacing. Medium-light body with very good, medium carbonation. Smooth.
O: Very good to excellent for style.
Aug 02, 2013O: Very good to excellent for style.
Red Bird Ale from Portsmouth Brewing Co. / Mault's Brewpub
Beer rating:
74 out of
100 with
34 ratings
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