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.
Added by kaszeta on 08-06-2003
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 893 | Reviews: 163
Reviews by Lovely85:
More User Reviews:
4.37/5 rDev +21.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
God this is a great beer and one of the treasures of Vermont in that it is usually on tap anywhere within the state. Super easy drinking with a nice breaded malt backbone. Pours hazy and unfiltered. Medium body, medium finish with slight toffee/nut. Surprised it is rated as low as it is. Would drink this all day
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
God this is a great beer and one of the treasures of Vermont in that it is usually on tap anywhere within the state. Super easy drinking with a nice breaded malt backbone. Pours hazy and unfiltered. Medium body, medium finish with slight toffee/nut. Surprised it is rated as low as it is. Would drink this all day
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3.9/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I drank this from tap. It was golden amber color with a light malty smell. It was crisp and something I could have for a dinner beverage.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I drank this from tap. It was golden amber color with a light malty smell. It was crisp and something I could have for a dinner beverage.
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3.47/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Sampling a cellar temp bottle poured into a snifter. The bottle was bottled on May 09 2017. I think Ive had it in the cellar for about 4 of those months of existence.
The beer pours a clear amber color with LOTS of white particulate suspended in the liquid. A fizzy eggshell white head of 1 cm foams up and fades to a sturdy edge layer and one large island in my glass.
The aroma is a lot of caramel and biscuity malt. Some grainy notes mixed in with just a bit of grassy hop note. Pretty mild nose in general on this beer.
The first sip reveals a light to average body with very fine gentle carbonation. Very easy to drink brew.
Flavor is what I expect from the nose. I get caramel and biscuit notes. Also a bit of grainyness and maybe a bit of butterscotch/diacetyl. There are some mild grassy hops in the background and there is no booze appearance on this lighter beer.
Not sure if the diacetyl/butterscotch is intentional on this beer, it kind of works and may be on purpose. The beer is an easy drinker and not outstanding in any arena. Good for sessioning, not sure I would chase down a bottle again.
1,114 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Sampling a cellar temp bottle poured into a snifter. The bottle was bottled on May 09 2017. I think Ive had it in the cellar for about 4 of those months of existence.
The beer pours a clear amber color with LOTS of white particulate suspended in the liquid. A fizzy eggshell white head of 1 cm foams up and fades to a sturdy edge layer and one large island in my glass.
The aroma is a lot of caramel and biscuity malt. Some grainy notes mixed in with just a bit of grassy hop note. Pretty mild nose in general on this beer.
The first sip reveals a light to average body with very fine gentle carbonation. Very easy to drink brew.
Flavor is what I expect from the nose. I get caramel and biscuit notes. Also a bit of grainyness and maybe a bit of butterscotch/diacetyl. There are some mild grassy hops in the background and there is no booze appearance on this lighter beer.
Not sure if the diacetyl/butterscotch is intentional on this beer, it kind of works and may be on purpose. The beer is an easy drinker and not outstanding in any arena. Good for sessioning, not sure I would chase down a bottle again.
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4.14/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Solid, super easy drinking beer, especially on draft. Tons of toasty malt, even slightly crisp hint of citrus on the finish. Smooth finish, but tons of flavor and a touch of bitterness as well.
Honestly this is a simple beer, but for those who appreciate simplicity, quality ingredients and balanced flavors (me) this is a great beer.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Solid, super easy drinking beer, especially on draft. Tons of toasty malt, even slightly crisp hint of citrus on the finish. Smooth finish, but tons of flavor and a touch of bitterness as well.
Honestly this is a simple beer, but for those who appreciate simplicity, quality ingredients and balanced flavors (me) this is a great beer.
336 characters
4.31/5 rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
As a good and wise friend once said about Switchback Ale,
" It's not the best beer, but it is the most perfect beer. "
Reliable. Un-pretentious. Well balanced. The perfect unfiltered ale for daily use.
205 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
As a good and wise friend once said about Switchback Ale,
" It's not the best beer, but it is the most perfect beer. "
Reliable. Un-pretentious. Well balanced. The perfect unfiltered ale for daily use.
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4.03/5 rDev +12.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is an everyday ale that is well balanced and complex in flavor. It starts out with the flavor of the hops, transitions to characteristics that are often associated with unfiltered beers, and ends with the roasted flavors of the malt.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is an everyday ale that is well balanced and complex in flavor. It starts out with the flavor of the hops, transitions to characteristics that are often associated with unfiltered beers, and ends with the roasted flavors of the malt.
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4.53/5 rDev +26.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
3.75/5 rDev +4.5%
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
3.31/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Maybe I'd reached my beer limit that day, but I just couldn't get into this too much. Hazy amber color, small white head. Mildly sweet, mildly citrus aroma. Kind of tepid grapefruit taste. Fairly balanced. Not bad, but I'd had some great beers prior to this, and it suffered in comparison.
289 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Maybe I'd reached my beer limit that day, but I just couldn't get into this too much. Hazy amber color, small white head. Mildly sweet, mildly citrus aroma. Kind of tepid grapefruit taste. Fairly balanced. Not bad, but I'd had some great beers prior to this, and it suffered in comparison.
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4.15/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had this several times on a recent trip to Sugarbush, as it's available on tap nearly everywhere.
Looks like a cloudy Sam Adams, but that's where the similarities end. A caramel-ish sweet citrus taste up front which gets washed away by the hops at the end with a slight tingle. Each sip leaves you wanting more - quickly. And you can do it too, because the alcohol is left in check. This beer is definitely a drinker, not a sipper, and not one you want to sit and dissect flavors....just drink.
This is a terrific beer to session apres-ski. If I lived in Vermont this would be my go-to beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had this several times on a recent trip to Sugarbush, as it's available on tap nearly everywhere.
Looks like a cloudy Sam Adams, but that's where the similarities end. A caramel-ish sweet citrus taste up front which gets washed away by the hops at the end with a slight tingle. Each sip leaves you wanting more - quickly. And you can do it too, because the alcohol is left in check. This beer is definitely a drinker, not a sipper, and not one you want to sit and dissect flavors....just drink.
This is a terrific beer to session apres-ski. If I lived in Vermont this would be my go-to beer.
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4.05/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served in a big glass (special night at the GLB)
The color is amber not transparent with a nice thick head to start. As I drink lacing forms
The aroma is sweet subtle hops of citrus and a sweet malt very nice
The taste is brilliant start with a soft carbonation a sweet malt comes and reveals a citrus hops mixed with a slight earthiness
342 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served in a big glass (special night at the GLB)
The color is amber not transparent with a nice thick head to start. As I drink lacing forms
The aroma is sweet subtle hops of citrus and a sweet malt very nice
The taste is brilliant start with a soft carbonation a sweet malt comes and reveals a citrus hops mixed with a slight earthiness
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3.13/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
A = unfiltered orange-amber color, a quickly dissipating head that leaves no lacing on the glass.
S = Lightly flowery, I can smell hops at first sniff.
T = I found that the malts are outplayed by the hops in this brew.
M=carbonation is okay, medium body but somehow watery as well.
Overall, I was hoping for more balance between the hops and the malts, but found the hops took over and left a bitter hoppy aftertaste. The finish was somewhat clean, except for the aforementioned hoppiness. It is a lighter feeling ale than most in its class, but I think would be a good pub choice with burgers or a wrap. Best way I would describe this is that it's kind of like a "Light IPA."
682 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
A = unfiltered orange-amber color, a quickly dissipating head that leaves no lacing on the glass.
S = Lightly flowery, I can smell hops at first sniff.
T = I found that the malts are outplayed by the hops in this brew.
M=carbonation is okay, medium body but somehow watery as well.
Overall, I was hoping for more balance between the hops and the malts, but found the hops took over and left a bitter hoppy aftertaste. The finish was somewhat clean, except for the aforementioned hoppiness. It is a lighter feeling ale than most in its class, but I think would be a good pub choice with burgers or a wrap. Best way I would describe this is that it's kind of like a "Light IPA."
682 characters
3.87/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.03/5 rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Had on tap in St. Johnsbury
Appearance: 1/4 inch head, dark amber in color, clear, high carbonation
Smell: earthy hops
Taste: earthy hops and light caramel malt
Mouthfeel: medium carbonation, medium bodied, bitter with a touch of sweetness
Overall: This strikes me as an average hoppy amber. This is not a bad beer and certainly worth a try for hopheads. However, I have heard fanatical things about this beer and it just left me wanting a bit more in the taste department.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Had on tap in St. Johnsbury
Appearance: 1/4 inch head, dark amber in color, clear, high carbonation
Smell: earthy hops
Taste: earthy hops and light caramel malt
Mouthfeel: medium carbonation, medium bodied, bitter with a touch of sweetness
Overall: This strikes me as an average hoppy amber. This is not a bad beer and certainly worth a try for hopheads. However, I have heard fanatical things about this beer and it just left me wanting a bit more in the taste department.
478 characters
4.03/5 rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from tap
Appearance: Dark Brown color with a small amount of head. Decent carbonation. Slightly off white head.
Smell: Toasted malts and hoppy. Some sweetness.
Mouthfeel/Taste: Medium bodied not a smooth as I had hoped for. Toasted malts and yeast could be tasted with a subtle sweetness. Bitter after taste.
Overall: Good beer. I think I will revisit this beer the next time I'm back in the Burlington area.
419 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from tap
Appearance: Dark Brown color with a small amount of head. Decent carbonation. Slightly off white head.
Smell: Toasted malts and hoppy. Some sweetness.
Mouthfeel/Taste: Medium bodied not a smooth as I had hoped for. Toasted malts and yeast could be tasted with a subtle sweetness. Bitter after taste.
Overall: Good beer. I think I will revisit this beer the next time I'm back in the Burlington area.
419 characters
3.57/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Unusual bottle conditioned ale with a reddish brown hue. Unfiltered with a fruity, flowery aroma. Taste is unique for this style: light malt and fruit with a mild hop finish. Overall very drinkable and pleasant. As is usual for US craft beers, is is somewhat over hopped, IMO, with an IBU of 28.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Unusual bottle conditioned ale with a reddish brown hue. Unfiltered with a fruity, flowery aroma. Taste is unique for this style: light malt and fruit with a mild hop finish. Overall very drinkable and pleasant. As is usual for US craft beers, is is somewhat over hopped, IMO, with an IBU of 28.
296 characters
Switchback Ale from Switchback Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.59 out of
5 with
893 ratings
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