Barkley Sound Amber Red Reserve
Cold Spring Brewing Co.

Difficult to say much good about this beer. Has a clear, light brown-red liquid that carries appropriate carbonation, but never forms a decent head or lacing. Aromas are faint and of barley sugars and husks. Flavors are extremely pale and watered down barley husks and sugars. Watered to nearly a nausiating level. Thinness reveals paper and metalic flavors that deter from any good characters. Finishes quickly, but not seriously enough to be called crisp or refreshing. It's just a very watery red ale. Tastes like a flat and watery cola. Gluek's attempt for a low carb beer while standing true to all barley beer. I appreciate the idea, but the results are not there.

Well, here goes with a second attempt to find something good to say about our friends a Gluek.

This 'Red' pours a dull copper color with a white foam collar that collapses faster than a Big Ten team at the Rose Bowl.

Clarity?

Nope. Small white particles in suspension.

Aroma?

Sort of...but not much like beer.

Taste?

Dry, rancid, and papery...and I'm being nice here.

It always scares me that folks attempting to 'cross over' to better beers will get something like this because of the name (and the price)...and condemn all non-macros as a result. For that reason alone, I would assign it a negative number for drinkability if it were allowed.

Had I known this was a Gluek product, I would not have wasted the money. Poured a very light amber. Nonexistent head. No aroma detected. No hops, no malt, only a weak, vague flavor that I'd call apple if I had to, but that wasn't really it. One of the most flavorless beers I've run across. Thin, seltzery mouthfeel. Michelob Ultra with some red food coloring. Blah.