Side Pocket High Gravity Ale
City Brewing Company
- From:
- City Brewing Company
- Wisconsin, United States
- Style:
- Malt Liquor
Ranked #42 - ABV:
- 8.5%
- Score:
- 62
Ranked #39,803 - Avg:
- 2 | pDev: 34%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 10
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 23, 2024
- Added:
- Aug 17, 2009
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 2
SCORE
62
Poor
62
Poor
No description / notes.
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Reviewed by JZH1000 from Colorado
2.06/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 1.75
2.06/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 1.75
24oz can, poured in a glass boot.
On the pour, over 3 fingers of white foamy head form, and it has surprisingly decent retention. Body isn't perfectly clear, but is close and is a deep golden yellow. Lots of carbonation. Some scattered bone white lacing forms.
Aroma is immediately off with so much acetaldehyde it smells like a cheap white wine. It is also quite sweet, with only a vague hint of malts.
Flavor is immediately bad, even if you try to just chug it down. That cheap white wine comes through with quite a bite that you can seemingly taste all the way to the roof of your mouth. The wineyness doesn't stop there with a very fruity again cheap white winey flavor makes itself very known as you swallow. Fortunately that quickly mellows out leaving you with a slightly syrupy, but actually slightly malty finish that almost implies some hops, but it could just be the lingering acetaldehyde. Not the worst seeing as it only really has an issue with acetaldehyde and little issues with sulfur, but this is a lot.
The feel is full, built somehow comes off as a lighter beer than it is. The finish is surprisingly dry as well. That being said this is not refreshing, and certainly not all that easy to drink. The type of beer that makes you want to take a big gulp or two, then set it back down for a while while reconsidering your life decisions.
Overall this doesn't really have a place on the market in my eyes. Steel reserve and Hurricane are roughly in the same price category, and if you want something that tastes lighter and drier than Steel Reserve, just go for the Hurricane, the extra 0.4% ABV just isn't quite worth it.
Apr 23, 2024On the pour, over 3 fingers of white foamy head form, and it has surprisingly decent retention. Body isn't perfectly clear, but is close and is a deep golden yellow. Lots of carbonation. Some scattered bone white lacing forms.
Aroma is immediately off with so much acetaldehyde it smells like a cheap white wine. It is also quite sweet, with only a vague hint of malts.
Flavor is immediately bad, even if you try to just chug it down. That cheap white wine comes through with quite a bite that you can seemingly taste all the way to the roof of your mouth. The wineyness doesn't stop there with a very fruity again cheap white winey flavor makes itself very known as you swallow. Fortunately that quickly mellows out leaving you with a slightly syrupy, but actually slightly malty finish that almost implies some hops, but it could just be the lingering acetaldehyde. Not the worst seeing as it only really has an issue with acetaldehyde and little issues with sulfur, but this is a lot.
The feel is full, built somehow comes off as a lighter beer than it is. The finish is surprisingly dry as well. That being said this is not refreshing, and certainly not all that easy to drink. The type of beer that makes you want to take a big gulp or two, then set it back down for a while while reconsidering your life decisions.
Overall this doesn't really have a place on the market in my eyes. Steel reserve and Hurricane are roughly in the same price category, and if you want something that tastes lighter and drier than Steel Reserve, just go for the Hurricane, the extra 0.4% ABV just isn't quite worth it.
Reviewed by Skywave from Oklahoma
2.94/5 rDev +47%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
2.94/5 rDev +47%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Appearance:
Clear light gold, lively carbonation and fine 1" head that retains and actually laces for a while until retreating to a thin ring of foam.
Aroma:
Sweet white wine and corn syrup. Moderate alcohol smell.
Flavor:
Sweet white wine and corn syrup. Alcoholic in the way that NyQuil is. Sweet, oily finish.
Mouthfeel:
Light-medium, high CO2 and rather smooth and not "hot" for the ABV
Overall:
Not bad for what it is.
Oct 27, 2021Clear light gold, lively carbonation and fine 1" head that retains and actually laces for a while until retreating to a thin ring of foam.
Aroma:
Sweet white wine and corn syrup. Moderate alcohol smell.
Flavor:
Sweet white wine and corn syrup. Alcoholic in the way that NyQuil is. Sweet, oily finish.
Mouthfeel:
Light-medium, high CO2 and rather smooth and not "hot" for the ABV
Overall:
Not bad for what it is.
Rated by Jugs_McGhee from Texas
1.97/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.25
1.97/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.25
710ml can tried at a tasting:
Cooked vegetable. Grape. Syrupy sweetness.
D- / AVOID
Dec 24, 2017Cooked vegetable. Grape. Syrupy sweetness.
D- / AVOID
Reviewed by chum_husk from Minnesota
3/5 rDev +50%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3/5 rDev +50%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
40oz bottle from the local "get rid of your DTs" shop. I walked past multiple (shaking) people looking for the cheapest malt liquor money can buy. I was also factoring in the alcohol-to-price ratio, but alas, it wasn't needed: the cheapest beer also had the most alcohol. A foil labeled 40 called Side Pocket High Gravity
Getting back I notice it's from Wisconsin, so my expectations are raised slightly. Those 'sconnies know their beer. I didn't pour it into a glass because I'm not a heathen. Was expecting to have to chase swigs of it with bites of leftover pizza, but the taste actually isn't that bad. It's overly sweet and corny, but I was expecting that. No hint of alcohol except in the mouthfeel and in the burps, and I actually taste hops!
Buy this. Beer make you drunk
Feb 26, 2017Getting back I notice it's from Wisconsin, so my expectations are raised slightly. Those 'sconnies know their beer. I didn't pour it into a glass because I'm not a heathen. Was expecting to have to chase swigs of it with bites of leftover pizza, but the taste actually isn't that bad. It's overly sweet and corny, but I was expecting that. No hint of alcohol except in the mouthfeel and in the burps, and I actually taste hops!
Buy this. Beer make you drunk
Reviewed by tone77 from Pennsylvania
2.49/5 rDev +24.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.25
2.49/5 rDev +24.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.25
Poured from a clear 40 oz. bottle. Has a golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of very light malts, not a lot there. Taste is alcohol, malts, hints of green apples and tobacco. Feels light in the mouth and overall, not the worst malt liquor I have ever had, but pretty damn lousy.
Nov 29, 2015
Reviewed by BrewMaven from New York
2.57/5 rDev +28.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
2.57/5 rDev +28.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
Very typical clear gold with minimal head and no retention or lacing. Rousing carbonation that settled after a bit.
The usual high gravity lager smells...corn and metallic.
Taste was more of the same..sweet, alcoholic and fairly smooth. Best when cold.
Mouthfeel was a step above water.
Just another cheap beer for a hot summer evening..I bought it out of sheer curiosity and because I really needed a quick buzz after a rough day.
Aug 18, 2013The usual high gravity lager smells...corn and metallic.
Taste was more of the same..sweet, alcoholic and fairly smooth. Best when cold.
Mouthfeel was a step above water.
Just another cheap beer for a hot summer evening..I bought it out of sheer curiosity and because I really needed a quick buzz after a rough day.
Reviewed by Blargimus from Colorado
2.85/5 rDev +42.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
2.85/5 rDev +42.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
40 oz bottle poured into juice glass. No brown paper bag present.
Looks like carbonated urine.
It tastes and smells remarkably similar to a very cheap white wine. There's not a lot of bitterness, it's all just corn and alcohol.
Plenty of alcohol in the aftertaste. Smooth enough, though.
Hello friend. Would you like to get very drunk? Drink this.
Apr 08, 2012Looks like carbonated urine.
It tastes and smells remarkably similar to a very cheap white wine. There's not a lot of bitterness, it's all just corn and alcohol.
Plenty of alcohol in the aftertaste. Smooth enough, though.
Hello friend. Would you like to get very drunk? Drink this.
Reviewed by crossovert from Illinois
1.79/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
1.79/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
40 oz bottle. 1000th review.
Straight form the bottle (though I poured most of it for someone else). It pours a deep gold with a fluffy white head that dissipates moderately quickly.
Smells like corny mead. Lots of honey and alcohol and caorn in the scent.
The flavor is pretty shitty. On the front end it isn't bad, mild grain and hops but on the back end it is adjuncty and sickly sweet.
The mouthfeel is prickly at first then seems watery.
This is just a malt liquor contract brewed by a nearly anonymous and small marketing agency. Who knows it might share recipes with other or just have a minor tweak, it is run of the mill.
Sep 28, 2011Straight form the bottle (though I poured most of it for someone else). It pours a deep gold with a fluffy white head that dissipates moderately quickly.
Smells like corny mead. Lots of honey and alcohol and caorn in the scent.
The flavor is pretty shitty. On the front end it isn't bad, mild grain and hops but on the back end it is adjuncty and sickly sweet.
The mouthfeel is prickly at first then seems watery.
This is just a malt liquor contract brewed by a nearly anonymous and small marketing agency. Who knows it might share recipes with other or just have a minor tweak, it is run of the mill.
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)
3.2/5 rDev +60%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.2/5 rDev +60%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
40oz bottle in a paper bag generally contributed by joshuaseresse. This is the last of the malt liquors left over from the malt liquor tasting earlier this summer. Served in a Cantillon glass - how's that for cognitive dissonance?
A - A finger of white foam settles to a thick collar, but no lace. There are streams of tiny bubbles rising throughout the dark urine-colored body.
S - Grape juice, fructose, caramel, grain, light fusel alcohol when it warms up but not too bad for the style.
T - Sugar, corn, white grape juice, cereal grains. Alcohol is surprisingly well-hidden, although this verges on cloying sweet after a few ounces.
M - Lower carbonation, medium-bodied, some grain to the texture, and moderate alcohol warmth in the finish.
D - This is actually pretty solid, and one of the better takes on the style that I've had. This one is a little bit too sweet for me to tackle the whole 40oz bottle. Not quite as good as Stack, as this one is lower in alcohol but doesn't taste any better.
Sep 19, 2011A - A finger of white foam settles to a thick collar, but no lace. There are streams of tiny bubbles rising throughout the dark urine-colored body.
S - Grape juice, fructose, caramel, grain, light fusel alcohol when it warms up but not too bad for the style.
T - Sugar, corn, white grape juice, cereal grains. Alcohol is surprisingly well-hidden, although this verges on cloying sweet after a few ounces.
M - Lower carbonation, medium-bodied, some grain to the texture, and moderate alcohol warmth in the finish.
D - This is actually pretty solid, and one of the better takes on the style that I've had. This one is a little bit too sweet for me to tackle the whole 40oz bottle. Not quite as good as Stack, as this one is lower in alcohol but doesn't taste any better.
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia
2.28/5 rDev +14%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
2.28/5 rDev +14%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Appearance: Pours a clearish, golden-toned body with a frothy, short-lived, white head.
Smell: Sweet-scented, chemically aroma of cooked corn, boiled apple cores, and melted sugars.
Taste: Starts off sweet, with tastes of substandard grains and sugar-dosed corn meal. Hint of fruitiness somewhat reminiscent of apples. As with so many (okay, almost all) of these malt liquors, it has that troubling, potentially-flammable chemical taste to it. Finishes near-hot, sweet, and chemical coated.
Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium carbonation.
Drinkability: Ugh. About as bad as any other malt liquor, so, if nothing else, these things are fairly consistent. The name does at least suit the beverage.
Feb 16, 2010Smell: Sweet-scented, chemically aroma of cooked corn, boiled apple cores, and melted sugars.
Taste: Starts off sweet, with tastes of substandard grains and sugar-dosed corn meal. Hint of fruitiness somewhat reminiscent of apples. As with so many (okay, almost all) of these malt liquors, it has that troubling, potentially-flammable chemical taste to it. Finishes near-hot, sweet, and chemical coated.
Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium carbonation.
Drinkability: Ugh. About as bad as any other malt liquor, so, if nothing else, these things are fairly consistent. The name does at least suit the beverage.
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania
1.51/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1
1.51/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1
The CAN identified the beer as an ale of the high gravity variety. I am unsure about its veracity, but what CAN I do? Onward!
I briefly got a finger of bone-white head before it dissipated into nothingness. Color was a deep golden-amber with NE-quality clarity. Nose was ungodly sweet underlain by a sharp alcohol quality. I remain suspect about this being an ale. Mouthfeel was medium with a very sugary taste on the tongue and suddenly it hit me - this tasted like Colt 45, an American Malt Liquor, which is a Lager-style. Who's zoomin' who, here? I am going to leave it simply because the CAN read "Ale" and I am in no position to argue. The finish had a unpleasant tobacco taste, like I was sniffing around an ashtray. Ooof. The really bad part is that it came in a 24-ounce CAN and I hated to do a drain pour. I didn't with Chelada, a recent "F" and I chose to bravely press on. Awful.
Aug 17, 2009I briefly got a finger of bone-white head before it dissipated into nothingness. Color was a deep golden-amber with NE-quality clarity. Nose was ungodly sweet underlain by a sharp alcohol quality. I remain suspect about this being an ale. Mouthfeel was medium with a very sugary taste on the tongue and suddenly it hit me - this tasted like Colt 45, an American Malt Liquor, which is a Lager-style. Who's zoomin' who, here? I am going to leave it simply because the CAN read "Ale" and I am in no position to argue. The finish had a unpleasant tobacco taste, like I was sniffing around an ashtray. Ooof. The really bad part is that it came in a 24-ounce CAN and I hated to do a drain pour. I didn't with Chelada, a recent "F" and I chose to bravely press on. Awful.
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