Nugget (Brewmaster Reserve)
Full Sail Brewing Company

Nugget (Brewmaster Reserve)Nugget (Brewmaster Reserve)
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From:
Full Sail Brewing Company
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.62 | pDev: 11.05%
Reviews:
42
Ratings:
42
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 08, 2008
Added:
Mar 22, 2007
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of magictrokini
Reviewed by magictrokini from California

2.8/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Clear amber with a short off-white head. Floral aroma with some citrus hops and a nice malty mix. Metallic bitterness up front with noble hops and caramel malt making up the back. More like an ESB than the hoppy red I was expecting. Its okay, but nothing I'll have again.
Dec 08, 2008
Photo of GIVEMEBACKMYSON
Reviewed by GIVEMEBACKMYSON from Alaska

3.48/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sharp noble hop scent and a dash of oatmeal.

Bourbon colored with a pleasing, average, trustworthy 1 finger cream head. Held to light, this reveals more of a ruby red hue. Color-changing ale would have worked for a name if Nugget hadn't stuck, I suppose.

Starts with & carries through a mildly pricky hop character, a tart bitterness told. A mild breadiness works with it, but does not pull its load. Moderately watered in texture, looking for a tad more weight.
Caramel malt and some girthiness or grit would have done wonders for this ale. As is, it is ok. Nothing offensive, really, but the blocks were there to build something more.
Mar 17, 2008
Photo of Bitterbill
Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I got this in a trade with Wasatch. Thanks John!

The pour reveals a clear amber with a 1 finger head of foam with a little lacing. Good head retention.

The smell has notes of both caramel malt and hops with the malt winning out. Nice nose here.

The taste has yummy caramel malt up front with a very nicely done hoppy bitterness midway through that does a heck ogf a job in the balancing department. I can tell I'm going to enjoy the rest of *this* beer.

More sips in and I get some roasted malt that works with the hops in the bittering and again, I'm quite pleased with how the hops and malt are working together. Full Sail sure does make some darned good brews and this one is no exception.

The mouthfeel borders on being full and it finishes slightly bitter and has a good aftertaste. Nothing boring about this Amber.. something I can't say about many examples of the style that I've tried in the past. Darn good stuff!!
Mar 07, 2008
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Picked up a bomber from AJ's in late September for $4.19.

Beer poured red with a strong off white head. Nose is of caramel malts with hints of northwest hops. Taste is very well balanced. Caramel malts are very strong counterbalanced by a pleasant citrusy hop finish. Mouthfeel is quite full for the style, very impressive. Drinkabilty is good. This is quite the nice beer to quaff, I would recommmend this to try if it is still available.
Feb 02, 2008
Photo of JDV
Reviewed by JDV from Texas

3.22/5  rDev -11%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
22 oz. bottle in San Francisco. Light brown, orange color with a light beige head. Aroma was of light malt but mostly of light to medium hoppiness. Malty smell kicked in a bit more as it warmed. Taste is smooth, and mostly quite hoppy but not excessive. A touch of malt flavor but not much. Kind of like a weak IPA, but more drinkable if you can't handle the high bitter levels. Decent, but I wouldn't feel like I was missing out if I didn't come across this beer again.
Jan 31, 2008
Photo of ChainGangGuy
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

3.26/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: Pours a clear, dark amber body with a wispy, off-white head.

Smell: Altogether light aroma of dark caramel with notes of grains and citrus.

Taste: Sweet dark caramel that's soon scrubbed away by a moderate bitter and a touch of acidity. Spicy, citrusy hop flavors (though more spice than citrus). Hint of grains. Finishes dry with a tea-like bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Very slight stickiness to the mouthfeel.

Drinkability: It's okay. If you're looking for a decent amber ale then this will scratch that itch.
Jan 10, 2008
Photo of jwc215
Reviewed by jwc215 from Arizona

3.62/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to Wasatch for this brew...
"Brewmaster Reserve 2007" on label...

Pours hazed amber with a thin off-white head that becomes a patch.

The smell is of caramel with soft citrus and floral notes in the background.

The taste is of caramel with some citrus. A tea-like leafy bitterness mixes in, almost clashing with the caramel, and even citus - but, it's light enough to not be too astringent. Grainy with a touch of alcohol in the dryish finish.

It reaches medium-bodied, though a tad thin for the level.

It could be a bit richer all-around (and the bitterness could mesh with sweetness a bit more), but on the whole it's a decent brew - a hoppyish amber/red ale - enough that I like it well enough.
Jan 06, 2008
Photo of irishevans
Reviewed by irishevans from California

3.08/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
pours not so much red but a hazey orange with a film of a head, but it is as white as i've seen. smells malty and i can't smell anything else but dust, as I have been helping the beast with his cellar just before this review. malty and hoppy but not much else, kind of bland. mouth-feel is crisp all the way through with a late peak, but not quite on the finish, a bit of the malty smoothness toward the end. drinks easy enough, not a bad brew, not medal worthy either
Jan 06, 2008
Photo of AKBelgianBeast
Reviewed by AKBelgianBeast from Alaska

3.46/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to irishevans for bringing this one to the crib.

This nug pours a murky red/brown with a thin layer of white head. nose is malty. Taste is mostly malt with some hops throughout buy they are not real strong. Kind of bready with some yeast flavors and the tiniest bit of citrus. mouthfeel is average and it is pretty smooth and drinkable. A good session ale.
Jan 06, 2008
Photo of alexgash
Reviewed by alexgash from Connecticut

3.43/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Dim, dark amber, with orange edges. Gauzy cover of lacy, dirty beige head. Caramely crystal malt and spicy rye bread mix with herbal, resinous, piny hops. Tangy citrus hops greet the tongue. Toasted malt and caramel apples follow. Herbal, minty, resinous hop backing takes over the finish. Not bad. Mouthfeel and body are a little thin and watery (undercarbonated). Fine, but forgettable.
Dec 23, 2007
Photo of RoyalT
Reviewed by RoyalT from Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - This is a glowing orange in color with a decent head.

Smell - I like the hop/malt balance (it is true to the style) but individually the hops are a bit rancid and the malts a tad on the grainy side.

Taste - This has some stiff herbal hops. The malts are confused to say the least. It seems like FS was going for a toasted malt flavor but somehow ended up with a tanginess to it.

Mouthfeel - This is a big boy; almost full-bodied. There is little carbonation to it, which again is how I like my Reds.

Drinkability - That off tanginess kept this out of 4.0 realm, but otherwise it was a drinkable brew. FS has much better offerings, though, so I would pass this one by.
Nov 25, 2007
Photo of Gueuzedude
Reviewed by Gueuzedude from Arizona

3.48/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Pours with a fat-two-finger thick, amber tinged, tan colored head that sits atop a brilliantly clear, concentrated red beer. The aroma is enticingly hoppy from a distance with notes of herbal & citrus like hop notes. Aromas of grapefruit, berries, tangerine, pine, and a solid, spicy / herbal backdrop are all quite noticeable. A touch of malt peeks through the hop notes, contributing a touch of sweet aromatics and some biscuit-like malt notes. What the malt does accentuate is the fruit, mostly berry like notes.

Fairly dry up front (I have a feeling that is the steak I had for dinner though), it does pick up a light, malty sweetness towards the middle. A slight, bitter, hop bite finishes this beer off and lingers on for a bit in the finish. Aggressively hoppy throughout, this beer has a pronounced herbal hop character that is a mix of pine, green-hay and perhaps a touch of menthol. A backdrop of citrus flavors help to round things out (mostly grapefruit notes) as does some malt character that leans towards caramelized malt sugars, biscuit-malt and some soda cracker notes towards the finish. This has a certain heft to it that allows it to stick just a bit to the mouth; this is still fairly easy drinking though.

Not a bad beer, seems to be a slightly bigger version of Full Sail Amber, or at least of that heritage. It could almost use a bit more malt character to stand up to the sharp hop notes in the finish (a sort of astringent, almost menthol like note). This is not bad, but for some reason it just can't hold my interest for long.
Oct 24, 2007
Photo of Gusler
Reviewed by Gusler from Arizona

3.72/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
The beer pours from the 22 ounce bottle a clear brownish Red with a substantial off white creamy head that fights a loosing battle against evaporation, with the lacing a velum like sheet on the glass. Nose has a malt sweetness, clean and crisp, with the start nicely malted; sweet and pleasant at front, top is moderate in feel. Finish has a strong acidity with the hops pleasantly spicy, dry aftertaste, another nice beer from a fantastic brewery.
Oct 16, 2007
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

4.2/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
on tap at the brewery in Hood River, OR after a day of hiking

appearance: medium amber body with a soapy beige head and strong lacing...pretty clear body

smell: caramel malts dominate, nice full aroma, green piney hops noticeable, toasted malts and grain

taste: i liked this one a ton for an amber. It has a thick caramel malt base with smooth piney hops providing wonderful balance, toffee, brown sugar and mild spice. Great

mouthfeel: smooth and medium bodied

drinkability: good
Sep 23, 2007
Photo of Floydster
Reviewed by Floydster from California

2.73/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
22 ounce bomber from Cooke's Family Market in El Segundo

Excited to see this because have only had one other Full Sail Brewmaster's Reserve before

Pour was light reddish brown with a really thick soapy head

Beer was too dry for me, and the hops were taken over by the smokiness to it

Drank the bottle no problem, but I do not know how much more I could have drank
Sep 13, 2007
Photo of rallison
Reviewed by rallison from California

3.83/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Tis a decent red ale. Pours a nice reddish amber color with a 1 finger white head that lasts nicely. Smell is of caramel malts with maybe a touch of hops.

Taste is not bad - caramel malts with just enough piny hops. Everything here is not very strong, but the flavors are pleasing and the balance is good - glad to have a fair level of hops in a red for a change. Still, nothing amazing - but a nice beer.

Mouthfeel is decent with good carbonation and drinkability is good.

Recommended. Nothing too special, but nice for the style.
Sep 06, 2007
Photo of Reidrover
Reviewed by Reidrover from Oregon

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark amber ale with a lovelly tan head,. handsome . mostly treacle/toffeeish malt aromas, some buiscuit and a touch of spice. Strong treacle ,toasted malt taste, bitter undertones. Semi-sweet, dark fruitiness,lingering finish with hoppy undertones. Excellent. Very amiable on the palte, but far from boring. Soft. Overall a very good amber ale. Quite tasty. Better than their regular Amber for sure.
Sep 02, 2007
Photo of tonistruth
Reviewed by tonistruth from Nevada

4.22/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A- clear copper with a two finger tan head, excellent retent, quick fade from the lace though

S- pine, caramel, fresh citrus, toffee, toasted

T- toasted toffee, pine bitterness in the aftertaste, pleasing shift of balance during consumption, buttery, toasty, some caramel, hints of fruit in middle and finish, very nice balance, rich

M- medium body, smooth, finish gets hit from hop harshness

D- complex, tasty, and balanced, a winner in my book
Aug 29, 2007
Photo of MuddyFeet
Reviewed by MuddyFeet from North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Wasatch for this bottle.

Definitely amber in color. Thick and dens ewhite foam head resting on top that never quite dissolved. Nose is malty but with a wet undertone of hops that is uncharacteristic of the style but characteristic of the Pacific Northwest.

Flavor is perhaps among my favorites for the style. Very akin to a pale ale but with a thicker, sugary, malty backbone that holds up quite nicely. But that sugary is nciely balanced with a hop presence that is like a wet, soggy, rotting Christmas tree. Also, some nice woody tannins. Heavy and thick mouthfeel but hardly syrupy. The hops make my tongue pucker a bit actually. Nice and drinkable for a late summer beer.
Aug 29, 2007
Photo of BlindPig
Reviewed by BlindPig from Nevada

3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A- Thin tan head on cloudy red with orange hues.
S- Toasted caramel malts, grass hops, has the standard amber ale aroma.
T- Pretty standard. Just toasted sweet caramel malts. Blend of citrus and grass hops.
M- Medium/full body with medium/high carbonation.
D- It is alright. I don't think it makes it's self different than the average amber ale. I probably won't remember this brew any different than the other ambers I have had.
Aug 24, 2007
Nugget (Brewmaster Reserve) from Full Sail Brewing Company
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 42 ratings