Serve and Protect
14th Star Brewing Co.

 

Poured into a nonic pint glass.
The appearance was a ruddy burnt dark orange to amber/red color. It started with a head closer to a good full three finger white foamy head that swiftly slid off to leave a thin sheet sprinkling the top. Mild lace caved in to a film coating the glass.
The aroma started with the cold brew coffee up front, mildly sweet then running through some citrusy and grassy hops. Clean caramel malts with some biscuits, light dose of cocoa powder.
The flavor seemed to blend very well the bitersweet mix of grassy to citrusy hops along with some piney woody dryness to lay down with some caramel to biscuity malts. Semi-dry aftertaste of pine, biscuits, caramel and super subtle notes of cold brew coffee.
The mouthfeel was about medium to full bodied with a fair sessionable to sipping quality about it. That in between glance of not fully knowing if I could take this easily down or continue to sip absolutely shows a stellar balance in its feel. And there's just enough grip/harshness noted running along my tongue just as a semi-smooth well-established finish of cocoa powder and coffee.
Overall, in my opinion, this is the future of amber/red ales. To add the cold brew coffee and/or cocoa powder is the question to most brewers and possibly make them well enough for all to seek, even the haters of this style.