Switchback Ale
Switchback Brewing Company

Switchback AleSwitchback Ale
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From:
Switchback Brewing Company
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
Ranked #238
ABV:
5%
Score:
82
Ranked #25,144
Avg:
3.61 | pDev: 12.74%
Reviews:
204
Ratings:
1,032
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 22, 2024
Added:
Aug 06, 2003
Wants:
  29
Gots:
  300
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by berliner07:
Photo of berliner07
Reviewed by berliner07 from New Hampshire

4.12/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This beer is a go-to when I want a nice, tasty pale ale that is not going to overwhelm. Without filtration, the beer has a lot of fresh qualities to it. The hops are not too much, but they are present on every sip. I would like a bit more bubbles in this. Its borderline flat sometimes. But otherwise a great, great beer.
Dec 08, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.74 by Hockey_Fan from Maryland

Feb 22, 2024
 
Rated: 3.79 by drews240 from Rhode Island

Dec 02, 2023
 
Rated: 3.5 by JLaw55 from Missouri

Nov 29, 2023
Photo of FreePal88
Reviewed by FreePal88

3/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Typical crackery amber. Not enough malt/body for me, too fruity, but decent. I won't buy anymore it though due to the brewery's obnoxious politics. Will drink for free, but realistically, that means I don't drink it.
Nov 09, 2023
 
Rated: 3.77 by gboley from California

Nov 07, 2023
Photo of seakayak
Reviewed by seakayak from Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
-Look: Opaque, deep amber with a frothy tan head that falls fast.
-Aroma: Unique malty aroma, dry hay, spices, dark fruit.
-Taste: Balanced, mild complex malts, grassy hops - tasty!
-Feel: Smooth and clean, thin and fast, low carbonation.
-Overall: Tasty and balanced, unusual, but a good beer!
Oct 14, 2023
 
Rated: 3.46 by craigbelly from Iowa

Sep 26, 2023
Photo of RonaldTheriot
Reviewed by RonaldTheriot from Louisiana

4.91/5  rDev +36%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Switchback Ale has a thick, spongy, ivory head and a hazy, red-amber appearance, with lots of lacing. The aroma is of bread crust and sour tannins. The flavor is of that, with robust bitterness. Switchback Ale has a medium body and a mostly-dry finish.

RJT
Aug 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.26 by GlenFarclas from Connecticut

Aug 26, 2023
Photo of snaotheus
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington

3.99/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2023-08-06
12oz can served in a snulip. Dated 04/17/23. @jonphisher sent it to me because he's an angel.

Pours surprisingly murky amber. Smallish, dense head. Smell is caramel, toffee, burnt nuts, moderate graininess.

Taste is similar, but with more breadiness, and more of a roasted grain flavor. Burnt nut bitterness.

Mouthfeel is dry, light, clean. Overall, not a huge amber ale guy, but this is a good amber.
Aug 07, 2023
 
Rated: 3.77 by Taenim from Maine

Jul 24, 2023
 
Rated: 3.72 by Phoodcritic from Michigan

Jul 20, 2023
 
 
Rated: 3.82 by QuintusHorace from California

Apr 10, 2023
Photo of Ggallin
Rated by Ggallin from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Its a good copper which I often have in fridge. I like the grenade style bottle. Get some.
Mar 14, 2023
 
Rated: 3.93 by vivshaw from Vermont

Mar 13, 2023
Photo of ReverendSoup
Reviewed by ReverendSoup from Massachusetts

2.82/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured from bottle into pint glass. Cloudy and amber in color with a short-lived 2-finger head and nice lacing. Smells only faintly like malt, and doesn't really call anything to mind. Malt-forward, yeasty, and uncomplex. Advertises itself as being full of flavor and I'm not sure it keeps that promise. Grainy, reminds me of why my friends who don't like beer call beer "bread juice" or the like. Medium bodied, not too carbonated. It's alright. I'll finish it but won't buy it again.
Nov 01, 2022
 
Rated: 3.94 by Tarps68 from Massachusetts

Oct 30, 2022
Switchback Ale from Switchback Brewing Company
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 1032 ratings