Anniversary Ale XIII
Real Ale Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

The beer pours a dark amber color with a white head. The aroma is some citrus notes with some alcohol and some caramel malt. The flavor is citrus, caramel, toffee, alcohol, brown sugar and some Belgian yeast. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. While the alcohol is present, the beer is easy to drink and very tasty.

Very nice. I was recently in Houston for work and went to the flying saucer for their rare draft night and this was the selection. Being from out of state I haven't had much of a chance to taste Real Ale beers until this trip and find this one to be at the top of the list. Followed by Devil's Backbone and the Full Moon.

Served in a goblet, it had a great nose and drank very nicely after a long day at the office.

Nose is citric and malty sweet vanilla. Soft notes of grape. Smells very good.

Pours translucent honey gold with mild head. Looks pretty good.

Grape-like fruit. Soft honey apple crispness. Bright hops. Rich and fairly thick with malt. Moderate sweetness. Honey notes. Some attenuated sugar notions. Like a soft Tripel, note that strong. Some herbal spicy hops and some bitterness. Mild ester - some fruit. Tastes good. Feels good. Very good drinkability.

HOP WOW! Happy anniversary to me with this almost blood red, sweetish, hop filled pint! The head is sturdy with flecks of red/brown that hangs out for a bit and leaves its fine lace behind. The body and smoothness of this brew makes it dangerously drinkable and the ABV though "unknown" is substantial. The richness of this brew is what keeps the guzzling in check. I'll have another.

Served in a tulip glass at the Houston Flying Saucer. It's a mostly clear, light copper color with a thick layer of slightly off-white foam. Retention is good, as is the lacing.

Yeasty and slightly hoppy aroma. Bread dough, almost to the point of yellow cake batter and the hops are grassy and even a bit tropical.

Tastes like a mild Belgian IPA. Maybe there is some rye in here that gives it a slightly spicy character. Lots of alcohol in there and the hops are somewhat subdued but provide a noticeable amount of flavor and bitterness. This beer gets better as it warms up, very yummy and drinkable. Great job Real Ale for a delicious Anny Ale, get your hands on this one while it is around.

A: Pours a reddish/orange color. A small white head forms and recedes in an instant. Light lace is left behind.
S: Sweet malt and fruits. Some banana and apples. A nice spicy aroma.
T: Sweet malt and fruits again. Banana and apples are dominate. Some spicy clove as well as some yeast. A nice biscuit flavor as well.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Creamy and smooth. Easy to drink. Something I can quaff several of.

Not my favorite Real Ale, but very enjoyable. Another good beer from a great brewery. Something I would recommend.

Served in an unmarked tulip at the Draught House, Austin.

Pours a hazy tangerine hue with a nice depth to the color. A thin layer of meringue head holds court up top, well-retained, patchy, and easily revived with a quick swirl of the glass. Aroma is bursting with citrusy hops that deliver notes of fresh-squeezed orange juice plus spicy Belgian yeast esters and a solid backing of doughy, pale malts.

The flavor takes the aroma and amplifies it, bringing in a solidly bitter citrus note to the hops that is both floral and grassy. The malts are sweet and crisp, with lots of yeasty, fruity Belgian esters to back it up. Very refreshing, drinkable medium body, with a hoppy kick saved for the finish that gets a boost from the tight carbonation. Not overly heavy in terms of either hops and/or alcohol, although both "Belgian IPA" and "Belgian Strong Pale Ale" wouldn't be too much of a stretch for labeling this beer's style. Overall, a very drinkable, very tasty Anniversary ale. Congrats on the 'unlucky' thirteen, Real Ale, and here's to 13 more!