Hardtack Copper
Declaration Brewing Company

LOOK - nice copper color - nice frothy head - decent retention - carbonation drops off quickly when it does drop - slightly hazy
SMELL - slight floral - slight caramel - slight hops
TASTE - some caramel and pine - some off flavors almost like a slight infection - some hop floral notes carry through
FEEL - carbonation dies out and goes flat - oily but seems pretty thin
OVERALL - there are some odd / herbal notes in this one that didn't really sit well with me - almost a "Brett" flavor underneath - not sure what style they were really shooting for but it didn't do it for me - still an ok drinking beer I guess - I would not buy again though

 

12 oz. Can
ABV: 5.2%

Pours a pretty nice clean/clear amber color, pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger off-white head, which also leaves some sticky lacing behind. The nose is hoppy, malty, nutty. The taste is hoppy, malty, nutty. Medium body, ABV is hidden nicely, with a nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, a tasty brew, a nice thirst quencher.

 

 

This really was a copper beer - it tasted almost metallic, and not just because it was in a can. It's an amber/red hybrid, with the color to match, but didn't really wow me. ABV was right for the style, but just not enough flavor for me.

 

 

another new can from these guys, they seem to really be trying to get as much beer into the market as possible. throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. this reminds me of fat tire back in the day, it has a really deep amber malt flavor, looks a lot darker than the style standard, and has a fair hop kick to it, and a very dry finish as they go. the malt base is nice, bold and nutty, not half as sweet as most ambers these days. the nuttiness is cool, almost has elements of an esb or a brown ale for a second in that regard, and has quite a lot of body as well. nothing thin or weak about this at all. what turns me off here is that these guys are playing it so safe. not just this one, but all of their beers seems very introductory, and while this may represent some craft evolution beyond a basic amber ale, it still seems like something to market rather than a craft to be proud of, not that the two are mutually exclusive in any way, but thats the vibe i get from this brewery and from this beer. i like all the body, see it as real good for this time of year where the nights come earlier and earlier, and the hops on the back end give it some zest. overall one of the better declaration beers, but the jury (in my mind) is still out on these guys.

edit: this has improved over time, more balanced and refined. raisins a few scores to reflect their evolution of this one...