Amber Ale
The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery


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- From:
- The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
- North Carolina, United States
- Style:
- Red Ale - American Amber / Red
Ranked #383 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 78
Ranked #28,305 - Avg:
- 3.41 | pDev: 14.66%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 21, 2022
- Added:
- Sep 23, 2004
- Wants:
- 11
- Gots:
- 70
SCORE
78
Okay
78
Okay


Notes:
The Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale is a medium bodied beer with a lovely tawny copper / bronze color. The lightest of all our dark ales, this is a great introduction to full flavored beers. This brew emphasizes malt complexity with layered caramel malt flavors. We put a lot of effort into getting The Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale just right and we're extremely proud of the result. Enjoy!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.15/5 rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Singlefinpin from North Carolina
Drinking this at one of my favorite tap rooms, Tapped Craft and Drafts in Greenville NC.
Poured from a tap into a pint glass.
Looks brown with a tannish foamy head that dropped quickly to a thin ring.
Smells lightly malty, sweet, spicy.
Taste follows the nose nicely.
Mouth feel is medium for the style.
Overall a very nice example of a Amber Ale that I would definitely order again.
Cheers!
Apr 21, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Singlefinpin from North Carolina
Drinking this at one of my favorite tap rooms, Tapped Craft and Drafts in Greenville NC.
Poured from a tap into a pint glass.
Looks brown with a tannish foamy head that dropped quickly to a thin ring.
Smells lightly malty, sweet, spicy.
Taste follows the nose nicely.
Mouth feel is medium for the style.
Overall a very nice example of a Amber Ale that I would definitely order again.
Cheers!
Apr 21, 2022
3.71/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by vette2006c5r from Minnesota
Amber Ale pours a dark amber color, with a big, long lasting, lacing head. Aroma is harsh, hints of dirt, and burnt notes. Flavor is harsh, lots of burnt caramel flavors, bitter finish. Body is a bit watery. Overall, some unique flavors, lots of burnt flavors, a very watery, yet earthy beer.
Oct 28, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by vette2006c5r from Minnesota
Amber Ale pours a dark amber color, with a big, long lasting, lacing head. Aroma is harsh, hints of dirt, and burnt notes. Flavor is harsh, lots of burnt caramel flavors, bitter finish. Body is a bit watery. Overall, some unique flavors, lots of burnt flavors, a very watery, yet earthy beer.
Oct 28, 2021
3.97 by Danzifer from Ohio on Oct 05, 2021
3.58/5 rDev +5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
Dark amber appearance.
Body is around medium with about the same for carbonation which all added up to a decent feel.
Aroma is malt, a strong amount of apple jelly, earthy
Taste has a very mild sweetness as well as an equally mild hop bite. A bit of the apple shows up as well as a very dry finish.
Overall I found it to be very enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
Dark amber appearance.
Body is around medium with about the same for carbonation which all added up to a decent feel.
Aroma is malt, a strong amount of apple jelly, earthy
Taste has a very mild sweetness as well as an equally mild hop bite. A bit of the apple shows up as well as a very dry finish.
Overall I found it to be very enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2021
3.2 by Haybeerman from Colorado on Mar 28, 2021
3.75/5 rDev +10%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
by BobMagruder from Oregon
A little sweet overall but good malt taste up front and nice light hop balance
Mar 19, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
by BobMagruder from Oregon
A little sweet overall but good malt taste up front and nice light hop balance
Mar 19, 2021
3.52 by BD3 from Wisconsin on Mar 02, 2021
1.52/5 rDev -55.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1
by bonsainut from North Carolina
It is a rare beer that ends up in my garbage can, but that is what happened to the six-pack of The Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale that I purchased this week based on what I thought were generally good reviews for the brewery.
Look: True to type, tending more red than amber, and very clear. Light to moderate off-white head.
Smell: Very little aroma. Muted, slightly sweet. Expected more.
Taste: Sharp with an offensive metallic aftertaste that masked and overwhelmed distant flavors of malty caramel. Expected a smooth and malty flavor, got sharp and bitter instead.
Feel: Watery and thin. Medium carbonation.
Did I get a bad batch? This beer was offensively bad.
How I grade:
1: Poor
2: Below average
3: Average
4: Above average
5: Exceptional
Nov 29, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1
by bonsainut from North Carolina
It is a rare beer that ends up in my garbage can, but that is what happened to the six-pack of The Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale that I purchased this week based on what I thought were generally good reviews for the brewery.
Look: True to type, tending more red than amber, and very clear. Light to moderate off-white head.
Smell: Very little aroma. Muted, slightly sweet. Expected more.
Taste: Sharp with an offensive metallic aftertaste that masked and overwhelmed distant flavors of malty caramel. Expected a smooth and malty flavor, got sharp and bitter instead.
Feel: Watery and thin. Medium carbonation.
Did I get a bad batch? This beer was offensively bad.
How I grade:
1: Poor
2: Below average
3: Average
4: Above average
5: Exceptional
Nov 29, 2020
3.43/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
Deep amber appearance with a large tan head and good lacing. Muted, sweet malt aroma . Moderately sweet taste, some tartness, some herbal hops. A touch of sourness in the aftertaste. Medium bodied, nicely carbonated mouthfeel with an average length finish.
Aug 17, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
Deep amber appearance with a large tan head and good lacing. Muted, sweet malt aroma . Moderately sweet taste, some tartness, some herbal hops. A touch of sourness in the aftertaste. Medium bodied, nicely carbonated mouthfeel with an average length finish.
Aug 17, 2020
3.8 by edthehead from New York on Aug 08, 2020
2.98/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by BJB13 from Maryland
12 ounce bottle poured into a nonic.
Best by 7/20.
Pouring a murky light brown with a reddish hue, capped with one finger of cream-white fluffy foam. The nose is moderate in strength, sweet caramel, chewing tobacco, toast and earthy hops. The flavor is dominated From beginning to end by a coppery tang with underlying caramel and toast and leaves an iron-like aftertaste. Thin bodied, almost watery, medium carbonation.
Disappointing. I’m not sure what is going on with the flavor. It doesn’t seem like oxidation and probably shouldn’t be at two months inside of the best by date.
May 23, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by BJB13 from Maryland
12 ounce bottle poured into a nonic.
Best by 7/20.
Pouring a murky light brown with a reddish hue, capped with one finger of cream-white fluffy foam. The nose is moderate in strength, sweet caramel, chewing tobacco, toast and earthy hops. The flavor is dominated From beginning to end by a coppery tang with underlying caramel and toast and leaves an iron-like aftertaste. Thin bodied, almost watery, medium carbonation.
Disappointing. I’m not sure what is going on with the flavor. It doesn’t seem like oxidation and probably shouldn’t be at two months inside of the best by date.
May 23, 2020
3.54/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Relatively clear dark amber with rising bubbles. One finger of foamy white head with good retention.
Smell: Gummy candy and caramel.
Taste: Lightly toasted malt with a predominately sweet flavor. Slightly metallic aftertaste and faint bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Average body with high carbonation.
Overall: A decent amber with a unique but uninspiring flavor.
Mar 13, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Relatively clear dark amber with rising bubbles. One finger of foamy white head with good retention.
Smell: Gummy candy and caramel.
Taste: Lightly toasted malt with a predominately sweet flavor. Slightly metallic aftertaste and faint bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Average body with high carbonation.
Overall: A decent amber with a unique but uninspiring flavor.
Mar 13, 2020
3.75 by drt72 from Virginia on Mar 05, 2020
3.5/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by macrosmatic from Florida
Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Cigar City Brewing goblet.
A: A dark amber with ruby highlights, and really very clear. Forms a half-finger of white head that fades fairly quickly. A good amount of visible carbonation.
S: A very low amount of aroma on this one. A light presence of lightly toasted malts, a touch of minerals or hard water. A light vegetal hoppiness - maybe noble hops?
T: Follows the nose – toasted malts, brassy minerals, grassy and vegetal hops. Lightly toasted whole grain bread and mild toffee to the malt bill. A bit of citrus rind towards the end. Nearly balanced on the finish, though stays a little heavier on the malty side.
M: An average body for style, though carbonation sensation is a little low. Alcohol flavors are minimal.
O: This seems like an old school amber beer. It's certainly not a hoppy red that I sort of expected (thought I’m not certain about bottle age - no date found on the bottle). It's clean and balanced, but not something I’d go out of my way to grab for a repeat performance.
Nov 13, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by macrosmatic from Florida
Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Cigar City Brewing goblet.
A: A dark amber with ruby highlights, and really very clear. Forms a half-finger of white head that fades fairly quickly. A good amount of visible carbonation.
S: A very low amount of aroma on this one. A light presence of lightly toasted malts, a touch of minerals or hard water. A light vegetal hoppiness - maybe noble hops?
T: Follows the nose – toasted malts, brassy minerals, grassy and vegetal hops. Lightly toasted whole grain bread and mild toffee to the malt bill. A bit of citrus rind towards the end. Nearly balanced on the finish, though stays a little heavier on the malty side.
M: An average body for style, though carbonation sensation is a little low. Alcohol flavors are minimal.
O: This seems like an old school amber beer. It's certainly not a hoppy red that I sort of expected (thought I’m not certain about bottle age - no date found on the bottle). It's clean and balanced, but not something I’d go out of my way to grab for a repeat performance.
Nov 13, 2019
3.29 by MunduMugo from Massachusetts on Jun 22, 2019
5 by Kwright from North Carolina on Jan 24, 2019
3.69/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
(12 oz bottle, best by Oct 2018; purchased cold... poured into a Belhaven pub pint)
L: mostly-clear, deep amber liquid; finger-high tight pad of off-white foam... head doesn't hold, but it leaves a thin collar... no lace
S: peculiar honey-graham malt aroma right away, woody hops soon creep out, and finally a sharp apple cider ester note... once that odd opening riff trails off, its core foundation of rich, gob-smacking caramel emerges - gotta be one of the most intense caramel aromas I've ever smelled on a beer - could be a sign of layered, complex malts or a slug of saccharine syrup... faint whiff of grassy hop, but this all about the malt
T: taste falls somewhere in between or just outside of what was anticipated by the caramel tones - caramel apple is the first impression, and it's curiously (and luckily) dry and somewhat muted in its finish with a bready, slightly nutty, lightly woody-bitter (and metallic?) aftertaste...
F: light-medium-bodied, but with loose skin... minimal sizzle going through; finish semi-vanishing; little residual sugars or resins on palate... its lingering bitterness and alcohol leave a mild numbing hum on the back of the palate... needs a little more zip and/or definition - shapeless
O: while it is relatively dense in its malt build, and undeniably of an amber ale profile, it's bogged down by restrained dimension... I'm trusting the contents of this bottle were perhaps just in decline, because I get this feeling this may be more intensely tasty fresh or on draft... in another light, they could probably switch the labels of this with their Marzen
Oct 04, 2018
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
(12 oz bottle, best by Oct 2018; purchased cold... poured into a Belhaven pub pint)
L: mostly-clear, deep amber liquid; finger-high tight pad of off-white foam... head doesn't hold, but it leaves a thin collar... no lace
S: peculiar honey-graham malt aroma right away, woody hops soon creep out, and finally a sharp apple cider ester note... once that odd opening riff trails off, its core foundation of rich, gob-smacking caramel emerges - gotta be one of the most intense caramel aromas I've ever smelled on a beer - could be a sign of layered, complex malts or a slug of saccharine syrup... faint whiff of grassy hop, but this all about the malt
T: taste falls somewhere in between or just outside of what was anticipated by the caramel tones - caramel apple is the first impression, and it's curiously (and luckily) dry and somewhat muted in its finish with a bready, slightly nutty, lightly woody-bitter (and metallic?) aftertaste...
F: light-medium-bodied, but with loose skin... minimal sizzle going through; finish semi-vanishing; little residual sugars or resins on palate... its lingering bitterness and alcohol leave a mild numbing hum on the back of the palate... needs a little more zip and/or definition - shapeless
O: while it is relatively dense in its malt build, and undeniably of an amber ale profile, it's bogged down by restrained dimension... I'm trusting the contents of this bottle were perhaps just in decline, because I get this feeling this may be more intensely tasty fresh or on draft... in another light, they could probably switch the labels of this with their Marzen
Oct 04, 2018
3.18 by Rockhead from Virginia on Sep 22, 2018
3.53 by Skywave from Oklahoma on Aug 29, 2018
3.22 by Jsalz21 from New Jersey on Aug 25, 2018
3.51/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by dacrza1 from New Jersey
DATE: August 18, 2018... OCCASION: returning to this about a month after picking it up in State College--fond memories... GLASSWARE: Stoudts pint... pours a rich, dark copper red body, steady in its effervescence with a light-brown head settling to a thin sponge of bubbles... almost striking... equally rich caramel strikes the nostrils first, followed by baked bread, candied sugars, a foreign suggestion of citrus, and wine-like woodiness... a friendly introduction... lightly effervescent, business-like and medium-bodied mouthfeel, with a staying power that illuminates its flavor profile well after the sip is drawn... this aftertaste reveals orange peel, lemon zest, metallic ping, plum, and some herbal variants, before the whole shifts to sweet caramel, toffee, and fresh baked bread... a malt-forward ale that fosters both drinkability and appreciation, mellow enough to be session beer and solid enough to deserve a close-up.... much like its label, this beer houses a dual persona, and one I am glad to have finally experienced myself--better than the sum of its parts...
Aug 18, 2018
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by dacrza1 from New Jersey
DATE: August 18, 2018... OCCASION: returning to this about a month after picking it up in State College--fond memories... GLASSWARE: Stoudts pint... pours a rich, dark copper red body, steady in its effervescence with a light-brown head settling to a thin sponge of bubbles... almost striking... equally rich caramel strikes the nostrils first, followed by baked bread, candied sugars, a foreign suggestion of citrus, and wine-like woodiness... a friendly introduction... lightly effervescent, business-like and medium-bodied mouthfeel, with a staying power that illuminates its flavor profile well after the sip is drawn... this aftertaste reveals orange peel, lemon zest, metallic ping, plum, and some herbal variants, before the whole shifts to sweet caramel, toffee, and fresh baked bread... a malt-forward ale that fosters both drinkability and appreciation, mellow enough to be session beer and solid enough to deserve a close-up.... much like its label, this beer houses a dual persona, and one I am glad to have finally experienced myself--better than the sum of its parts...
Aug 18, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +32%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Foyle from North Carolina
Poured from 12oz bottle into schooner glass. A healthy 2" frothy head drops slowly with plenty of lacing. Mostly clear amber color with abundant streaming carbonation. Aroma of pleasant malt bread dough, raisin, plum and some floral hops. Mouthfeel between light and medium with an easy going dry finish. Flavors of caramel, raisin, plum, a hint of molasses blend well with the earthy and floral hops. Really enjoyed this one.
Jun 15, 2018
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Foyle from North Carolina
Poured from 12oz bottle into schooner glass. A healthy 2" frothy head drops slowly with plenty of lacing. Mostly clear amber color with abundant streaming carbonation. Aroma of pleasant malt bread dough, raisin, plum and some floral hops. Mouthfeel between light and medium with an easy going dry finish. Flavors of caramel, raisin, plum, a hint of molasses blend well with the earthy and floral hops. Really enjoyed this one.
Jun 15, 2018
3.53 by npdevil27 from Massachusetts on Jun 06, 2018
3.81 by weareallfalafel from Virginia on Mar 16, 2018
3.4/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by MackT from Florida
Pours a amber/reddish. Slight aroma, non distinctive. Effervescent mouth feel, malty back taste. Not hop heavy, would go nicely with most any meal.
Not bad, not note worthy, not regretting the buy, just wouldn’t search it out.
Mar 06, 2018
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by MackT from Florida
Pours a amber/reddish. Slight aroma, non distinctive. Effervescent mouth feel, malty back taste. Not hop heavy, would go nicely with most any meal.
Not bad, not note worthy, not regretting the buy, just wouldn’t search it out.
Mar 06, 2018
3.54 by JohnBradSC from South Carolina on Feb 18, 2018
3.71 by FriedSlug from North Carolina on Jan 11, 2018
3.25 by Ardeer from New York on Dec 31, 2017
3.97 by irate_alien from Virginia on Oct 28, 2017
3.95 by Sams442 from North Carolina on Sep 07, 2017
3.25 by StoutAtTheDevil from Alabama on Aug 06, 2017
3 by ConradKenney from Maryland on Aug 01, 2017
3.52 by robebo44 from Virginia on Jul 13, 2017
4.74/5 rDev +39%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by SmokySignals from North Carolina
The world of amber ale is so diverse. Maybe too much....But THIS . Is. Amber as I prefer it. Absolutely rich and delicious. Destroys Abita amber,flat tire and so many others. Richness that reminds me of Green Man ESB, but not quite as dense or heavy on the palate, which is fine. Fat, caramel, toffee heaven. Pours beautifully. Will definitely be getting more of these!
May 20, 2017
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by SmokySignals from North Carolina
The world of amber ale is so diverse. Maybe too much....But THIS . Is. Amber as I prefer it. Absolutely rich and delicious. Destroys Abita amber,flat tire and so many others. Richness that reminds me of Green Man ESB, but not quite as dense or heavy on the palate, which is fine. Fat, caramel, toffee heaven. Pours beautifully. Will definitely be getting more of these!
May 20, 2017
3.85 by Atg1095 from New York on May 03, 2017
3.83 by mdecross from Pennsylvania on Mar 20, 2017
3.34 by elle_belles17 from District of Columbia on Feb 24, 2017
3.22 by rallyr32 from New York on Feb 05, 2017
3.83 by MisledTitan from England on Jan 04, 2017
2.35/5 rDev -31.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
by ThePold from Virginia
Is it a duck, or is it a rabbit? Is it a good beer or a malt bath? Looks like a duck, quacks like a malt bath, as it ought to. It is a decent light dark beer. Really ideal for Thanksgiving dinner. Excited to find this at a Target, of all places.
Nov 05, 2016
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
by ThePold from Virginia
Is it a duck, or is it a rabbit? Is it a good beer or a malt bath? Looks like a duck, quacks like a malt bath, as it ought to. It is a decent light dark beer. Really ideal for Thanksgiving dinner. Excited to find this at a Target, of all places.
Nov 05, 2016
Amber Ale from The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
Beer rating:
78 out of
100 with
557 ratings