Nightmare on Troutman St.
Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC)

 

 

This one pours a light amber/red color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.

This smells like bready malt, orange marmalade, berry, and pine.

The maltiness on this one is light, even though it's a red ale at heart, with just a touch of bready maltiness, and not much overy sweetness. There's a clean hop bitterness here, with some nice orange and blueberry type flavors.

This is medium bodied, pretty clean, and very drinkable.

I've been drinking a lot of KCBC lately and I've really been enjoying that recent trend.

 

KCBC 3rd review. Nightmare's 4th review on BA. 3/3 and 4/4 so far. Red Tail is where I started my craft experience in 90s Mendicino. This is the best red ale ever.
a) Amber clear bod with ample lace and lasting ring.
s) Earthy, herbal, bitter orange, bread.
t) More complex and brighter, with bitter orange marnalade slathered on earthen toasted breads.
f) Smooth, creamy, puckery, clean in bitter resolve.
o) As good a red ale as can be found anywhere.

Picked this up recently at KCBC in Brooklyn, as I wasn’t doing anything else for Halloween this year. This turned out to be typical for these guys but it’s rare that they brew something that’s not enjoyable. What was atypical for this beer was this it was a Red IPA, which is not what these guys are known for. This was true to form and not a New England IPA, as it's complexities really came through once this fully warmed up.

Of course, this poured read as it was amber in hue, clear, full of lively carbonation with a thin, tan head topping this off as my pint glass was nearly full of liquid when I poured this out; although the lacing left behind was a bit more voluminous than the head would have indicated. Deep orange, bread, herbal notes, and some earthiness to the subdued nose as the taste was much more herbal, medicinal, syrupy, and full of deep Cascade and Amarillo as this almost had the feel of a brew from the left coast. Chewy, bitter, and slick, this was easy on the palate because of the carbonation and lack of discernible alcohol.

This finished this was a true American Amber / Red down to the last sip as it felt like a session beer through and through. Pungent grapefruit and a hint of apple emerged near the back of this as the hops never let up throughout my time with this. Canned on 10/20, this (of course) had a fun label but was a welcome diversion from what KCBC usually releases. A beer like this was a reminder that more breweries need to give this style a go - like this, they're a lot of fun when done right!

 

 

Turbid reddish amber pour topped by a huge dollop of whipped cream-like head that leaves bas relief lace on glass.

Earthy and herbal hops greet the nose in a med. strength aroma, joined by a general breadiness, some crackery notes, bitter orange, grapefruit pith, and caramel. Almost smells like a bit of mint in there too. Nice.

All the flavors of the aroma are present in a full taste, with the earthy character toned down and the bitter orange turned up. End of sip the herbal bitter character takes over and dries things out. Very well balanced cast of flavors, with some bright, and others muted, in a medley that pleases.

Mouthfeel is the key to this beer's success as a refreshing and delicious beverage. It is soft on palate while being fairly viscous for style, with medium carb, and a killer finish of exceptionally clean and deep nature.

I love this different take on a red ale, It is extremely refreshing despite having lots of the malt character you'd expect, and a killer finish that just seals the deal. Recommended.

Reviewing live and with great expectations for two reasons. The first one being that KCBC is a local, for me, brewery that I admire. The other, and even more personal to me, is that it is brewed in collaboration with Bitters and Esters, my home brewer supply store of choice, whose awesome staff has helped me out and given great advice to my own home brewing ventures.
Nightmare on Troutman street pours a hazy and turbid dark amber color consistent with the style. A nice slighlly khaki foam head rises up to greet you and retains well, with frothy lacing forming sticky rings around the glass.
When I put it to the nose, I'm hit with a tangy doze of orange and grapefruit pulp. This is followed by a light whiff of dank and herbal hops. A thick layer of freshly squeezed orange juice remains throughout and is supported by a rich foreground of bready toasted malt. A hint of floral hops also becomes present towards the end.
Served cold I'm first aware of the silky malt and toasted bread texture, as well as a sticky and resiny finish that crescendos gradually in its bitterness. Soon, it becomes apparent that although balanced between malt and hops, it is slightly tilted towards the herbal and dank quality, reminding me of an IPA and of Troeggs Nugget Nectar. However, in the middle phase, it becomes quite juicy, citrusy, in particular, a fresh orange juice quality that is bright, zesty and refreshing. Towards the end, the sweetness from the malts take the edge of of the hops spice, which mellows out a bit.
Medium bodied with a nicely balanced carbonation. A nice duet between malts and hops, each side competing and exchanging leads in the quest for dominance. Juicy at times, yet with a nice amount of dryness that keeps it drinkable.
Very tasty and well crafted.