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Sara's Ruby Mild
Magnolia Pub & Brewery
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Magnolia Pub & Brewery
- California, United States
- Style:
- English Dark Mild Ale
- ABV:
- 3.8%
- Score:
- 85
- Avg:
- 3.72 | pDev: 14.52%
- Reviews:
- 11
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 16, 2018
- Added:
- Jun 20, 2002
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 2
Sara's has less hop character than its cousins in the bitter family, but maintains complexity through a liberal use of various specialty malts. Easy-drinking session ales, milds are historically served as lunchtimes beer for laborers in the British Midlands.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by KStark:
Rated by KStark from Canada (BC)
3.97/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Apr 23, 2015
3.97/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Apr 23, 2015
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by VoxRationis from New York
3.92/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Served on tap in a small goblet at Magnolia Pub & Brewery in San Francisco.
A: Poured a clear amber to red with very clear ruby/garnet highlights, but not more than a half inch head, decent retention and lacing.
S: Very light aromas of caramel and grains.
T: Semisweet with palate following nose. Bitterness very balanced with malt.
M: Light to medium bodied with light carbonation.
O: Subtle, not a "loud flavor" beer, but a solid and enjoyable session ale.
Oct 16, 2018A: Poured a clear amber to red with very clear ruby/garnet highlights, but not more than a half inch head, decent retention and lacing.
S: Very light aromas of caramel and grains.
T: Semisweet with palate following nose. Bitterness very balanced with malt.
M: Light to medium bodied with light carbonation.
O: Subtle, not a "loud flavor" beer, but a solid and enjoyable session ale.
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan
3.84/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.84/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Oooh, this lives up to its name—in appearance! It pours a clear ruby-blood color with no foam. There’s a light aroma of candied caramel. As I taste it I get a light caramel with just a hint of bittering. It finishes with a caramel sweetness that’s smooth and mellow.
Sep 10, 2013Reviewed by czfreeman from California
4/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured on tap
Beautiful ruby tone.lacy head nice clarity looks like I hoped it would.
Smells of raisin, some orange, detect caramel malt slight brown sugar but all sweetness is cleaned up by a exceptional amount of pepper bitterness and a slight biscuit character.
Flavor is slightly watery, but that's the idea in these types of brews.caramel, biscuit, slight bread, raisin, pepper, some nice bittering hops and a nice slightly setting/ spicy finish really come together to create an excellent mild.
The mouthfeel is spot on for the style and this beer deserves the gold medal it won at the GABF.
Jun 21, 2012Beautiful ruby tone.lacy head nice clarity looks like I hoped it would.
Smells of raisin, some orange, detect caramel malt slight brown sugar but all sweetness is cleaned up by a exceptional amount of pepper bitterness and a slight biscuit character.
Flavor is slightly watery, but that's the idea in these types of brews.caramel, biscuit, slight bread, raisin, pepper, some nice bittering hops and a nice slightly setting/ spicy finish really come together to create an excellent mild.
The mouthfeel is spot on for the style and this beer deserves the gold medal it won at the GABF.
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois
3.97/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at the brewery, review from written notes.
Dark reddish amber, the red tones really shine. Okay retention, thin white ring around the sides with trails of wispy skim.
Sweet aroma of raisin, plum, brown sugar and honey.
Similar flavors of sweet dried fruit, cobbler and brown sugar, bready malt sweetness. Mellow feel, lightly sweet. Clean, pleasant and flavorful, not watery. Light to medium bodied, pretty easily drinkable.
Oct 13, 2011Dark reddish amber, the red tones really shine. Okay retention, thin white ring around the sides with trails of wispy skim.
Sweet aroma of raisin, plum, brown sugar and honey.
Similar flavors of sweet dried fruit, cobbler and brown sugar, bready malt sweetness. Mellow feel, lightly sweet. Clean, pleasant and flavorful, not watery. Light to medium bodied, pretty easily drinkable.
Reviewed by seand from California
3.93/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
3.93/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Served a clear red amber, with a fair amount of head. Good retention and lacing.
S: Light sweet grain, very mild.
T: Light sweet, nice balance.
M: Medium to light body, light carbonation (as expected on cask)
D: Very easy drinking, would make a great session beer.
Sep 04, 2010S: Light sweet grain, very mild.
T: Light sweet, nice balance.
M: Medium to light body, light carbonation (as expected on cask)
D: Very easy drinking, would make a great session beer.
Reviewed by MisterClean from California
3.68/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.68/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap for the beer dinner.
A - Pours light mahogany with 1.5 fingers of white head. Dissipates moderately slow to 1.5 fingers with little lacing.
S/T - Caramel and light bittering hops. A hint of nuttiness too.
M - Light-Medium bodied, malt dominated, and slightly sweet.
D - A decent attempt at a low gravity English mild.
Feb 23, 2010A - Pours light mahogany with 1.5 fingers of white head. Dissipates moderately slow to 1.5 fingers with little lacing.
S/T - Caramel and light bittering hops. A hint of nuttiness too.
M - Light-Medium bodied, malt dominated, and slightly sweet.
D - A decent attempt at a low gravity English mild.
Reviewed by largadeer from California
4.25/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
4.25/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Had this one several times at Magnolia, it's much better on cask than draft.
Appearance: Dark amber in color, slightly hazy, with a fluffy white head that retains nicely.
Smell: Husky grain, toast, a hint of fruit and mineral. Very subtle.
Taste & mouthfeel: A nice blend of citrus and husky toasted cereal grain. A bit of acidic twang appears in the middle followed by an appropriately clean and mild finish. Mouthfeel is spot-on; light and silky with gentle carbonation. This is infinitely drinkable stuff, definitely my favorite Magnolia brew thus far.
Jul 08, 2008Appearance: Dark amber in color, slightly hazy, with a fluffy white head that retains nicely.
Smell: Husky grain, toast, a hint of fruit and mineral. Very subtle.
Taste & mouthfeel: A nice blend of citrus and husky toasted cereal grain. A bit of acidic twang appears in the middle followed by an appropriately clean and mild finish. Mouthfeel is spot-on; light and silky with gentle carbonation. This is infinitely drinkable stuff, definitely my favorite Magnolia brew thus far.
Reviewed by msubulldog25 from Oregon
3.58/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3.58/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
My first beer tried at Magnolia Pub on Haight Street. This was from a cask, served to a nonic glass. Listed at 3.7% on chalkboard.
A: Pretty auburn/brown. Clear toward the base, a bit cloudy nearer the top. Crowned with a 1/2-finger of ivory head, soap and lightly floculating. Really no lace at all.
S: Not much other than a light, sweet malt that smells mildly of soured fruit and caramel. A mild but pleasant aroma.
T: Gentle citric fruitiness, both sweet and tart, with a toasty malt backbone. Malt tastes of toffee and sweetened cream and reminds me of a couple 'small beer'/second runnings-type drinks I've had recently.
M: Light bodied, soft and slippery smooth. The style (or this example) is a bit light and watery for my liking. Refreshing, lightly carbonated - somewhat like drink a warm, flat soda.
D: An easy to drink, sessionable brew, the type that's good as either a warm-up to more serious drinking or as a break from heavier stuff, as was the case for me. Mild but pretty tasty, I wouldn't choose this one all the time but wasn't disappointed either. Worth a try.
Jul 08, 2007A: Pretty auburn/brown. Clear toward the base, a bit cloudy nearer the top. Crowned with a 1/2-finger of ivory head, soap and lightly floculating. Really no lace at all.
S: Not much other than a light, sweet malt that smells mildly of soured fruit and caramel. A mild but pleasant aroma.
T: Gentle citric fruitiness, both sweet and tart, with a toasty malt backbone. Malt tastes of toffee and sweetened cream and reminds me of a couple 'small beer'/second runnings-type drinks I've had recently.
M: Light bodied, soft and slippery smooth. The style (or this example) is a bit light and watery for my liking. Refreshing, lightly carbonated - somewhat like drink a warm, flat soda.
D: An easy to drink, sessionable brew, the type that's good as either a warm-up to more serious drinking or as a break from heavier stuff, as was the case for me. Mild but pretty tasty, I wouldn't choose this one all the time but wasn't disappointed either. Worth a try.
Reviewed by carln26 from Missouri
3.91/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.91/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Amber to red, mildly hazy with a fluffy off white head. This beer came from a cask, and was quite lovely in appearance. Light caramel aroma, just the lightest touch of citrus. The flavor has light toffee, a little sweet date, and more of the citrus on the finish. Nice, and mild, just as the name suggests. Light and slick mouth feel great beer. I had this beer on a Sunday morning during brunch. Just a perfect companion to my meal.
Oct 22, 2006Reviewed by rayjay from Hawaii
4.04/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.04/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Hand-pulled at the brewery.
Dark and muddy, like a pint of flat coke. Very tiny head.
Very enjoyable, even better as it warms. It has a nice tangy zip like Guinness, but more intense. Maybe acidity from the roasted malt? It makes you want to drink another gulp. Tastes and smells like sourdough bread. Just a bit of hops.
The mouthfeel is similar to hard water. Reminds me of red wine, without tannins.
The twangy sour bite made it score high for me and I'd love to drink these all night. An interesting and fun interpretation of one of my favorite styles. Cheers!
Aug 15, 2006Dark and muddy, like a pint of flat coke. Very tiny head.
Very enjoyable, even better as it warms. It has a nice tangy zip like Guinness, but more intense. Maybe acidity from the roasted malt? It makes you want to drink another gulp. Tastes and smells like sourdough bread. Just a bit of hops.
The mouthfeel is similar to hard water. Reminds me of red wine, without tannins.
The twangy sour bite made it score high for me and I'd love to drink these all night. An interesting and fun interpretation of one of my favorite styles. Cheers!
Reviewed by rastaman from England
1.64/5 rDev -55.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
1.64/5 rDev -55.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Tap@ Magnolia Pub and Brewery, San Fransisco. Pretty typical english mild, but even blander in this case, very thin and grainy, watery finish. Was hoping for a bit more flavour even though its a mild. Grainy, edgey mouthfeel, not the best mild I've had.
Sep 17, 2004
Sara's Ruby Mild from Magnolia Pub & Brewery
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
20 ratings
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