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Switchback Ale | Switchback Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Switchback Brewing Company
Vermont, United States
switchbackvt.com
Style: American Amber / Red Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Switchback Ale (First sold October 22nd, 2002)
Using only traditional ingredients, Switchback Ale is a reddish-amber ale which is particularly well-balanced, allowing for complexity of flavor coupled with an unusually smooth and refreshing character. Five different malts, select hop varieties, and our own specially cultivated yeast create an ale which leads with hop flavors and a subtle impression of fruit (our yeast's contribution), followed by a palate pleasing malty finish. Our own special process uses the yeast to naturally carbonate the beer, and we leave it unfiltered. The result is a satisfying brew full of flavor with a remarkably clean and smooth finish.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 930 | Reviews: 176
2.88/5 rDev -20%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Make sure to swirl the bottle every so often while drinking, the yeast will settle on the bottom and you won't get as much flavor. The beer's pretty good, like a red ale and a Belgian style whitbier combined together, but that could just be because of the yeast settlement. Tastes like how a red ale should, but I wish there was a fuller taste. Not that it tastes watery, just the flavor is more dull than I'd like. Good malt character, nice carbonation. Might be something I'd get when on sale.
495 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Make sure to swirl the bottle every so often while drinking, the yeast will settle on the bottom and you won't get as much flavor. The beer's pretty good, like a red ale and a Belgian style whitbier combined together, but that could just be because of the yeast settlement. Tastes like how a red ale should, but I wish there was a fuller taste. Not that it tastes watery, just the flavor is more dull than I'd like. Good malt character, nice carbonation. Might be something I'd get when on sale.
495 characters
4.17/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Switchback's flagship ale has always been one of my favorites when we travel up to Vermont. I once preferred it in the 22 oz. bomber but since they've issued six-packs of the vintage-y stubby bottles, I've changed my stripes. Those malts really come through, with a hop presence that takes a back seat (for a refreshing change!) and don't forget to swish the yeasty sediment near the end of the pour. Well balanced, nice finish, it's what an ale should taste like.
464 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Switchback's flagship ale has always been one of my favorites when we travel up to Vermont. I once preferred it in the 22 oz. bomber but since they've issued six-packs of the vintage-y stubby bottles, I've changed my stripes. Those malts really come through, with a hop presence that takes a back seat (for a refreshing change!) and don't forget to swish the yeasty sediment near the end of the pour. Well balanced, nice finish, it's what an ale should taste like.
464 characters
4.5/5 rDev +25%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Quite good, refreshing ale. Nice hops profile and good malt body. Overall, a premium Pre-prohition type style. Good investment. Can't go wrong with a Switchback.
161 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Quite good, refreshing ale. Nice hops profile and good malt body. Overall, a premium Pre-prohition type style. Good investment. Can't go wrong with a Switchback.
161 characters
4.05/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
3.84/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.71/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.55/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
3.75/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.66/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the stubbie, it pours a nice hazy amber color with a nice 1 inch plus off-white head that lasts a bit. In the nose, a bit of malt. In the mouth, a nice lightly malty beer that is not too sweet, just right. Yum!
218 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the stubbie, it pours a nice hazy amber color with a nice 1 inch plus off-white head that lasts a bit. In the nose, a bit of malt. In the mouth, a nice lightly malty beer that is not too sweet, just right. Yum!
218 characters
4/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I think this brew is underrated based on the fact that it's an IPA world. This is more of a session ale, what i imagine you might find in an english pub. It's got a malty complexity with a smooth, light hoppy finish. Very easy to drink while your watching your favorite game.
282 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I think this brew is underrated based on the fact that it's an IPA world. This is more of a session ale, what i imagine you might find in an english pub. It's got a malty complexity with a smooth, light hoppy finish. Very easy to drink while your watching your favorite game.
282 characters
3.49/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.74/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.94/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.54/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.83/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Frothy. Milky. Delicious. Not much of a scent to it besides yeast and warm maltiness. One of my favorite brews, and the reason is the taste and mouth feel. It doesn’t feel like anything else. Almost like a good Framboise with no punch to it. Soothing. Warm, even if it’s ice cold. The taste is bready and comforting. It’s like soul food for the palate. Simple, but inviting and interesting. I love a brew that can really delight and interest your palate without overpowering it with powerful and even conflicting flavor notes. This one is straight forward, but unique. It is NOT your typical red ale as some here may have you think. It’s a true treat when you don’t want something crazy tasting. A standby standard. A go-to. Love me some Switchback. Remember to reintroduce the sediment. You’ll be rewarded with a much more complete and intriguing experience.
Edit: alright I’ll admit it. Switchback is my favorite beer.
935 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Frothy. Milky. Delicious. Not much of a scent to it besides yeast and warm maltiness. One of my favorite brews, and the reason is the taste and mouth feel. It doesn’t feel like anything else. Almost like a good Framboise with no punch to it. Soothing. Warm, even if it’s ice cold. The taste is bready and comforting. It’s like soul food for the palate. Simple, but inviting and interesting. I love a brew that can really delight and interest your palate without overpowering it with powerful and even conflicting flavor notes. This one is straight forward, but unique. It is NOT your typical red ale as some here may have you think. It’s a true treat when you don’t want something crazy tasting. A standby standard. A go-to. Love me some Switchback. Remember to reintroduce the sediment. You’ll be rewarded with a much more complete and intriguing experience.
Edit: alright I’ll admit it. Switchback is my favorite beer.
935 characters
2.7/5 rDev -25%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
4/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a pint glass via draft at The Sagamore Resort Hotel bar
Color is a deep dark yellow
Smell is citrus and malt
Smell follows the nose
Not much hop bite on this one, but its a nice very drinkable ale that has just enough there to make you want a 2nd
263 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a pint glass via draft at The Sagamore Resort Hotel bar
Color is a deep dark yellow
Smell is citrus and malt
Smell follows the nose
Not much hop bite on this one, but its a nice very drinkable ale that has just enough there to make you want a 2nd
263 characters
3.34/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
L - Somewhat hazy apple cider look to it. Tiny white head with no lacing. Some floaties hanging around.
S - Not much to be distinguished here.
T - Not much going on here, either.
F - Fairly smooth with a light body,
O - An okay beer. Didn’t love it or hate it. Props for a cool looking bottle, though.
309 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
L - Somewhat hazy apple cider look to it. Tiny white head with no lacing. Some floaties hanging around.
S - Not much to be distinguished here.
T - Not much going on here, either.
F - Fairly smooth with a light body,
O - An okay beer. Didn’t love it or hate it. Props for a cool looking bottle, though.
309 characters
2.99/5 rDev -16.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
I was kind of disappointed with this ale. Not entirely mind you but slightly. I was expecting given the price and from vermont the home of small breweries would be a tad more complex. But to my and my tastes it as run of the mill ale as ive had elswhere. Its not bad by any means. Just was not what i was expecting. The aroma was standard, taste standard, and feel standard. About as standard as an ale of this style can get. But if that is what your taste buds craves than this is not a bad brew in the least.
510 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
I was kind of disappointed with this ale. Not entirely mind you but slightly. I was expecting given the price and from vermont the home of small breweries would be a tad more complex. But to my and my tastes it as run of the mill ale as ive had elswhere. Its not bad by any means. Just was not what i was expecting. The aroma was standard, taste standard, and feel standard. About as standard as an ale of this style can get. But if that is what your taste buds craves than this is not a bad brew in the least.
510 characters
Switchback Ale from Switchback Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.6 out of
5 with
930 ratings
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