Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale | The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
Brewed by:
The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
North Carolina, United States | website
Style: American Amber / Red Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
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!
Added by brentk56 on 09-23-2004
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 238 | Ratings: 517
3.34/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours - red amber color not much head no lacing.
Smell - Very little stands out I may get a little roasted malt.
Taste - I get a little roasted malts and caramel maybe a little smoke flavor.
Feel - medium body clean feel.
Overall - I was not a big fan of this beer probably would not have it again.
★ 302 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours - red amber color not much head no lacing.
Smell - Very little stands out I may get a little roasted malt.
Taste - I get a little roasted malts and caramel maybe a little smoke flavor.
Feel - medium body clean feel.
Overall - I was not a big fan of this beer probably would not have it again.
★ 302 characters
3.47/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from bottle ( best by 9-15-15 yup its 10-3-15. My bad for not checking) 2 finger tan head over a dark bronze color. A little thin feel,and not much to mention at first but did get a nice caramel finish . Not sure I was gonna like it ,but the brew grew on me. Had better amber but this an OK one
★ 302 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from bottle ( best by 9-15-15 yup its 10-3-15. My bad for not checking) 2 finger tan head over a dark bronze color. A little thin feel,and not much to mention at first but did get a nice caramel finish . Not sure I was gonna like it ,but the brew grew on me. Had better amber but this an OK one
★ 302 characters
3.41/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I poured ths bottle chilled into a glass -a gusher, unexpected.
The color is a dark rust with 2 finger cream head with hazy look and spots of lace stick. The smell has malty and slightly metallic scents with bready and light alcohol aroma with slight woody hop scent. The feel is medium high carbonation with vinous and fruity element with low sweetness andd slight biscuity tinge with semi-dry finish.
The taste has mild woody flavor up front with copper -looking so caramel expected but more oxidized and pine-like hop with light bready middle with slight dried fruit and mineral flavor as it finishes very dry perhaps a slight caramel element is there. Overall this is not great I wonder if this was an older bottle since I got it as part of a mix-a-six howeve I will revisit if possible to give benefit of the doubt -no sign of infection taste wise just heavily oxidized.
★ 877 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I poured ths bottle chilled into a glass -a gusher, unexpected.
The color is a dark rust with 2 finger cream head with hazy look and spots of lace stick. The smell has malty and slightly metallic scents with bready and light alcohol aroma with slight woody hop scent. The feel is medium high carbonation with vinous and fruity element with low sweetness andd slight biscuity tinge with semi-dry finish.
The taste has mild woody flavor up front with copper -looking so caramel expected but more oxidized and pine-like hop with light bready middle with slight dried fruit and mineral flavor as it finishes very dry perhaps a slight caramel element is there. Overall this is not great I wonder if this was an older bottle since I got it as part of a mix-a-six howeve I will revisit if possible to give benefit of the doubt -no sign of infection taste wise just heavily oxidized.
★ 877 characters
3.63/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle. Pours amber with tall, long-lasting, fluffy white head and nice lacing. Aroma is of herbal hops and caramel malt. Body is medium and full. Herbal hops, caramel malt and ripe fruit fill the mouth. Finish is long and herbal. Overall it is great brew.
★ 267 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle. Pours amber with tall, long-lasting, fluffy white head and nice lacing. Aroma is of herbal hops and caramel malt. Body is medium and full. Herbal hops, caramel malt and ripe fruit fill the mouth. Finish is long and herbal. Overall it is great brew.
★ 267 characters
3.63/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: The beer is clear reddish amber in color and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a short beige colored head that died down, leaving delicate lacing on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of toasted caramel malts are present in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is quite malty and has lots of flavors of toasted malts along with notes of caramel malts. Although there is no bitterness, there are enough hops to cancel out any sweetness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is rather drinkable for a malty amber ale. The toasted nature of the malts shares similarities with a Vienna lager.
Serving type: bottle
★ 762 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: The beer is clear reddish amber in color and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a short beige colored head that died down, leaving delicate lacing on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of toasted caramel malts are present in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is quite malty and has lots of flavors of toasted malts along with notes of caramel malts. Although there is no bitterness, there are enough hops to cancel out any sweetness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is rather drinkable for a malty amber ale. The toasted nature of the malts shares similarities with a Vienna lager.
Serving type: bottle
★ 762 characters
3.42/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle dated BB 2/15 at 40 degrees into nonic
Aroma slightly fruity, fades quickly
Head small (2 cm, aggressive pour), off white, frothy, diminishing to 2 mm ring and broken layer
Lacing – complete rings of tiny to medium bubbles
Body medium amber, slight haze
Flavor begins slightly sweet, somewhat like over-ripe apples. Faint maltiness; no hops, no alcohol, no diacetyl
Palate medium, watery, lively carbonation
Appearance 4, Aroma 3.25, Flavor 3.25, Palate 4, Overall 3.5
★ 479 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle dated BB 2/15 at 40 degrees into nonic
Aroma slightly fruity, fades quickly
Head small (2 cm, aggressive pour), off white, frothy, diminishing to 2 mm ring and broken layer
Lacing – complete rings of tiny to medium bubbles
Body medium amber, slight haze
Flavor begins slightly sweet, somewhat like over-ripe apples. Faint maltiness; no hops, no alcohol, no diacetyl
Palate medium, watery, lively carbonation
Appearance 4, Aroma 3.25, Flavor 3.25, Palate 4, Overall 3.5
★ 479 characters
3.5/5 rDev +2.6%
Aroma: Light caramel and wheat bread notes. Low earthy hop aroma.
Appearance: Brick red hazy pour with a low white head that retains very well.
Flavor: Slightly sweet caramel and deep bready notes up front. Firm hoppy bitterness provides a good base. Balance is nearly even. Finish is clean and dry.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium-high carbonation. No heat or astringency noted.
Overall impression: A very approachable Amber. Nothing exciting. Well crafted.
★ 484 characters
Aroma: Light caramel and wheat bread notes. Low earthy hop aroma.
Appearance: Brick red hazy pour with a low white head that retains very well.
Flavor: Slightly sweet caramel and deep bready notes up front. Firm hoppy bitterness provides a good base. Balance is nearly even. Finish is clean and dry.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium-high carbonation. No heat or astringency noted.
Overall impression: A very approachable Amber. Nothing exciting. Well crafted.
★ 484 characters
3.35/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Poured a clear deep amber with a nice off-white and lightly foamy head. Head has solid retention and leaves some good lacing. The aroma is a little "meh" with a generic malt aroma. Not much distinctive about it. The taste is about the same. It is pretty generic, a little sweet, a slight bitter quality. But nothing discernible. It has a pretty good weight to the body but it has little bit of a carbonation bite on the finish. Not terrible, but not noteworthy, either.
★ 469 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Poured a clear deep amber with a nice off-white and lightly foamy head. Head has solid retention and leaves some good lacing. The aroma is a little "meh" with a generic malt aroma. Not much distinctive about it. The taste is about the same. It is pretty generic, a little sweet, a slight bitter quality. But nothing discernible. It has a pretty good weight to the body but it has little bit of a carbonation bite on the finish. Not terrible, but not noteworthy, either.
★ 469 characters
3.52/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A - Pours a copper red with a one finger slightly offwhite head. Ok retention with very little lacing
S - Very very light aromas. Mainly malts...lots of caramel with a slight roast.
T -Great taste. Didnt expect it after the aroma was so light. A very caramelly malty beer. Nice roastiness to it as well. Not bad!
M - A pretty light feeling beer. Nice and creamy with lots of carbonation
O - A very easy drinking beer with a wonderful flavor. Definately a sessionable beer. Nothing spectacular about it but a solid beer.
★ 523 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A - Pours a copper red with a one finger slightly offwhite head. Ok retention with very little lacing
S - Very very light aromas. Mainly malts...lots of caramel with a slight roast.
T -Great taste. Didnt expect it after the aroma was so light. A very caramelly malty beer. Nice roastiness to it as well. Not bad!
M - A pretty light feeling beer. Nice and creamy with lots of carbonation
O - A very easy drinking beer with a wonderful flavor. Definately a sessionable beer. Nothing spectacular about it but a solid beer.
★ 523 characters
3.49/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle, poured into a pint glass
Appearance: Pours a murky brown color, not amber at all, almost muddy, with a quarter of a finger of white-head that quickly dissolved into a thin lacing of foam that almost completely covered the top of the beer in wispy clouds.
Aroma: Very malty and bready, with some pronounced sweet aromas of honey and toffee.
Taste: Malty up front, quickly followed by some pronounced but not overpowering hoppy bitterness. There’s practically no sweetness present, just a lot of pleasant hops.
Mouthfeel: Medium with some good carbonation to tickle the taste buds. With an ABV of 5.5%, there’s no presence of alcohol on the palate.
Overall: This is a pretty solid amber ale, and unique to other ambers that I’ve had (Fat Tire, Honker Ale, etc.) in that it’s much more hop forward that I’m used to, but in a very tasty way. I’d certainly have it again.
★ 897 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle, poured into a pint glass
Appearance: Pours a murky brown color, not amber at all, almost muddy, with a quarter of a finger of white-head that quickly dissolved into a thin lacing of foam that almost completely covered the top of the beer in wispy clouds.
Aroma: Very malty and bready, with some pronounced sweet aromas of honey and toffee.
Taste: Malty up front, quickly followed by some pronounced but not overpowering hoppy bitterness. There’s practically no sweetness present, just a lot of pleasant hops.
Mouthfeel: Medium with some good carbonation to tickle the taste buds. With an ABV of 5.5%, there’s no presence of alcohol on the palate.
Overall: This is a pretty solid amber ale, and unique to other ambers that I’ve had (Fat Tire, Honker Ale, etc.) in that it’s much more hop forward that I’m used to, but in a very tasty way. I’d certainly have it again.
★ 897 characters
3.56/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Had on tap in a pint glass.
Pours a clear reddish brown with just a thin off white head.
Aroma of caramel and toast along with a touch of roasted malt. Some grassy hops sneak through too.
More roast in the flavor. It is on the light side, however, and there is a very healthy dose of toffee and toast. Grass and hay from the hops and a moderate bitterness. Mouthfeel is on the watery side.
Overall, a decent amber ale but nothing really makes it stand out. Not my favorite from Duck Rabbit.
★ 494 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Had on tap in a pint glass.
Pours a clear reddish brown with just a thin off white head.
Aroma of caramel and toast along with a touch of roasted malt. Some grassy hops sneak through too.
More roast in the flavor. It is on the light side, however, and there is a very healthy dose of toffee and toast. Grass and hay from the hops and a moderate bitterness. Mouthfeel is on the watery side.
Overall, a decent amber ale but nothing really makes it stand out. Not my favorite from Duck Rabbit.
★ 494 characters
3.78/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a wide mouth Lagunitas glass. Notched as best by 8/13, so I am right on the cusp of the freshness threshold. A nice amber color with a fluffy off-white head. Notes of sweet malt and earth.
Crystal malt flavors predominate. A bit chewy, which is nice as it gives the mouthfeel a lot of substance, particularly for an amber ale. Hops are subdued and offer enough counterpart to allow the flavor from becoming unbalanced. A touch of roasted warmth and creaminess in the finish and it ends on a semi-dry note. Carbonation is maybe slightly overboard, but it also helps too with sugary-cloy prevention. Overall, malty goodness and likely a great crossover beer (i.e., something to convert non-beer drinkers to trying different styles).
I bought a few from the Duck Rabbit line today to give the "Dark Beer Specialist" a try. I have to say this is quite nice for an amber; reminds me a little bit of Alaskan Amber; seems to be a bit of an American-German alt beer hybrid (or at least strikes me as so). Solid session ale for spicy pizza.
★ 1,047 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a wide mouth Lagunitas glass. Notched as best by 8/13, so I am right on the cusp of the freshness threshold. A nice amber color with a fluffy off-white head. Notes of sweet malt and earth.
Crystal malt flavors predominate. A bit chewy, which is nice as it gives the mouthfeel a lot of substance, particularly for an amber ale. Hops are subdued and offer enough counterpart to allow the flavor from becoming unbalanced. A touch of roasted warmth and creaminess in the finish and it ends on a semi-dry note. Carbonation is maybe slightly overboard, but it also helps too with sugary-cloy prevention. Overall, malty goodness and likely a great crossover beer (i.e., something to convert non-beer drinkers to trying different styles).
I bought a few from the Duck Rabbit line today to give the "Dark Beer Specialist" a try. I have to say this is quite nice for an amber; reminds me a little bit of Alaskan Amber; seems to be a bit of an American-German alt beer hybrid (or at least strikes me as so). Solid session ale for spicy pizza.
★ 1,047 characters
3.66/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
I recently had this on tap on the pier of Atlantic Beach, NC and it was worthy of a 3.5 overall. I always find bottled offerings a bit better. Why risk, so instead of reviewing it I went 3 miles down the beach and bought a single bottle. This review is based off that bottle.
While the excellent part of the draft version gave a solid pour the bottle was equally good. 12 oz Brown bottle with usual Duck Rabbit artwork and label with Amber ale sketched toward the bottom of the label. Really a nice looking label from this Georgia brewery. Both versions were poured into a standard pint glass.
A - deep amber with some ruby highlights. soft colored light tan head pours nice and settles into a sturdy ring of lace never really losing any size in terms of the creamy ring of lacing. Some excellent stick to the walls of this glass.
S - roasted malt aroma with some nuttiness. Breast with some caramel and toffee whiffs. a faint earthy hop whiff in background.
T - very similar to the aroma of roasted, caramel and toffee malts. A light readiness to it with some nuts. The difference in the flavor is the addition of some sort of weird weird fruitiness. I can't describe it other than that. It could have benefited this amber ale greatly, but instead I feel it hurt its flavor a touch. earthy hops show themselves again, but again just aren't quite enough for me.
M - very drinkable and while being fairly thin it still carries a pretty good texture and its drinkability is off the charts impressive in regards to a sessionable amber ale. Smooth mouthful.
O - I do like Duck-Rabbit and I always try to grab their stuff when I'm down this way. This amber offering has a lot of good things going for it but it's one that if rethought and one if they went back and tweaked a few things would be extremely tough to beat in the style. But for right now it's just another ale that is worth a try but nothing that will leave you remembering it's name. For me I don't get that awesome American amber ale style with this. No knock on duck rabbit or English made ales, but while drinking it I couldn't help but think this thing carries an English malt forward style. I love English ales but they aren't doing what American breweries are doing to amber ales. not a ton mote, but some more hops would send this into the 4 ranking. But it still does have a few pretty gold qualities.
★ 2,377 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
I recently had this on tap on the pier of Atlantic Beach, NC and it was worthy of a 3.5 overall. I always find bottled offerings a bit better. Why risk, so instead of reviewing it I went 3 miles down the beach and bought a single bottle. This review is based off that bottle.
While the excellent part of the draft version gave a solid pour the bottle was equally good. 12 oz Brown bottle with usual Duck Rabbit artwork and label with Amber ale sketched toward the bottom of the label. Really a nice looking label from this Georgia brewery. Both versions were poured into a standard pint glass.
A - deep amber with some ruby highlights. soft colored light tan head pours nice and settles into a sturdy ring of lace never really losing any size in terms of the creamy ring of lacing. Some excellent stick to the walls of this glass.
S - roasted malt aroma with some nuttiness. Breast with some caramel and toffee whiffs. a faint earthy hop whiff in background.
T - very similar to the aroma of roasted, caramel and toffee malts. A light readiness to it with some nuts. The difference in the flavor is the addition of some sort of weird weird fruitiness. I can't describe it other than that. It could have benefited this amber ale greatly, but instead I feel it hurt its flavor a touch. earthy hops show themselves again, but again just aren't quite enough for me.
M - very drinkable and while being fairly thin it still carries a pretty good texture and its drinkability is off the charts impressive in regards to a sessionable amber ale. Smooth mouthful.
O - I do like Duck-Rabbit and I always try to grab their stuff when I'm down this way. This amber offering has a lot of good things going for it but it's one that if rethought and one if they went back and tweaked a few things would be extremely tough to beat in the style. But for right now it's just another ale that is worth a try but nothing that will leave you remembering it's name. For me I don't get that awesome American amber ale style with this. No knock on duck rabbit or English made ales, but while drinking it I couldn't help but think this thing carries an English malt forward style. I love English ales but they aren't doing what American breweries are doing to amber ales. not a ton mote, but some more hops would send this into the 4 ranking. But it still does have a few pretty gold qualities.
★ 2,377 characters
3.25/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Poured from bottle. Had the expected color, aroma and taste for this style of beer. To me this is a good representation of an amber ale, better than some of this style I have sampled. But, as gaining experience with all the different craft beers styles available today, do not see any place for an amber ale on my "try again" list - too many others with more character and personality.
★ 385 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Poured from bottle. Had the expected color, aroma and taste for this style of beer. To me this is a good representation of an amber ale, better than some of this style I have sampled. But, as gaining experience with all the different craft beers styles available today, do not see any place for an amber ale on my "try again" list - too many others with more character and personality.
★ 385 characters
3.23/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a twelve ounce bottle into a pint glass. Medium amber color with minimum white head. Smell falls somewhat flat malty but not much else. Flavor is good with the malt coming through again with a slight caramel sweetness and a slightly bready mouthfeel. Carbonation is on point, but if i'm talking about carbonation that most likely says it all. Decent beer but not great, above average but not by much.
★ 412 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a twelve ounce bottle into a pint glass. Medium amber color with minimum white head. Smell falls somewhat flat malty but not much else. Flavor is good with the malt coming through again with a slight caramel sweetness and a slightly bready mouthfeel. Carbonation is on point, but if i'm talking about carbonation that most likely says it all. Decent beer but not great, above average but not by much.
★ 412 characters
3.34/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served on tap in a pint glass
Appearance – Pours a copper amber color with a one finger off white head. The head fades relatively quickly to leave a nice lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma is of a roasted malt flavor with some aromas of caramel and a lightly roasted nut smell. Mixed with these smells are some lighter notes of an earthy and herbal hop smell.
Taste – The taste begins with a bready and lightly roasted malt flavor. Some caramel flavor is present upfront which transitions more toward a toffee flavor more toward the middle as some lighter buttery flavors come to the tongue. With this transition comes some nut flavors of an almond nature. A very light earthy hop flavor joins that tastes at the end to leave a smooth and lightly roasted sweet and caramel flavor on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the rather average to slightly thinner side in terms of its creaminess with a carbonation level that a bit on the higher side. The thinner body and higher carbonation are good for the abv and for making for a rather easy drinking brew while still being heavy enough for the roasted and lightly earthy hoped flavors of the brew.
Overall- A decent drinking brew with a fairly nice flavor profile and a easy drinking feel. Nothing exceptional, but a pretty nice drinker overall.
★ 1,337 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served on tap in a pint glass
Appearance – Pours a copper amber color with a one finger off white head. The head fades relatively quickly to leave a nice lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma is of a roasted malt flavor with some aromas of caramel and a lightly roasted nut smell. Mixed with these smells are some lighter notes of an earthy and herbal hop smell.
Taste – The taste begins with a bready and lightly roasted malt flavor. Some caramel flavor is present upfront which transitions more toward a toffee flavor more toward the middle as some lighter buttery flavors come to the tongue. With this transition comes some nut flavors of an almond nature. A very light earthy hop flavor joins that tastes at the end to leave a smooth and lightly roasted sweet and caramel flavor on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the rather average to slightly thinner side in terms of its creaminess with a carbonation level that a bit on the higher side. The thinner body and higher carbonation are good for the abv and for making for a rather easy drinking brew while still being heavy enough for the roasted and lightly earthy hoped flavors of the brew.
Overall- A decent drinking brew with a fairly nice flavor profile and a easy drinking feel. Nothing exceptional, but a pretty nice drinker overall.
★ 1,337 characters
4.14/5 rDev +21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had this one at the Taco Mac Decatur. Poured darker than most ambers into my 20 oz "short" fat mug. A very capable, solid interpretation on the amber style. To me it drank much like an English bitter, more so than an amber. The flavour was well balanced with caramel, malt undertones well complemented by subtle hops. This is a very nice offering from DR, quite easy rto drink on a cold 40 degree night, or any night.
★ 417 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had this one at the Taco Mac Decatur. Poured darker than most ambers into my 20 oz "short" fat mug. A very capable, solid interpretation on the amber style. To me it drank much like an English bitter, more so than an amber. The flavour was well balanced with caramel, malt undertones well complemented by subtle hops. This is a very nice offering from DR, quite easy rto drink on a cold 40 degree night, or any night.
★ 417 characters
3.16/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours a big, soft, light tan head with medium persistence. Floral hops and caramel notes blend to make an almost sour aroma. Bright burnt umber, crimson color. Starts floral bitter with sweet caramel behind it, a flash of metallic, then a dry, hop bitter in the finish. The initial flavor is interesting as it takes on an almost citric sour characteristic from the confluence of the floral and caramel.
Overall, this isn't bad. It's an interesting take on the genre. It's not of the outright hoppy character, and it's not of the malty; it tries to strike some sort of balance between the two. If the caramel had been toned down, or that citric hop, this would be pretty solid. The combination of caramel and citrus just isn't for me. But, there are a lot of things going on here that I do like; the dry hop in the finish is just great.
★ 836 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours a big, soft, light tan head with medium persistence. Floral hops and caramel notes blend to make an almost sour aroma. Bright burnt umber, crimson color. Starts floral bitter with sweet caramel behind it, a flash of metallic, then a dry, hop bitter in the finish. The initial flavor is interesting as it takes on an almost citric sour characteristic from the confluence of the floral and caramel.
Overall, this isn't bad. It's an interesting take on the genre. It's not of the outright hoppy character, and it's not of the malty; it tries to strike some sort of balance between the two. If the caramel had been toned down, or that citric hop, this would be pretty solid. The combination of caramel and citrus just isn't for me. But, there are a lot of things going on here that I do like; the dry hop in the finish is just great.
★ 836 characters
3.45/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a crystal clear deep amber in color with some garnet red highlights and light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall creamy light beige head that reduces to a medium patch of very thin film and a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Light to moderate aromas of toasted malts with some notes of caramel and nuts.
T: Similar to the smell, the beer starts out with light to moderate flavors of toasted malts with some caramel and nut notes. After the maltiness upfront, there is a moderate amount of earthy hops. Starts out a little bitter and then sweetens.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.
O: Pretty easy to drink and definitely is a beer that I could have a couple of though not sure it would be my choice of a session beer as it is just a little too heavy. Definitely enjoyable and another solid offering from Duck Rabbit.
★ 956 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a crystal clear deep amber in color with some garnet red highlights and light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall creamy light beige head that reduces to a medium patch of very thin film and a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Light to moderate aromas of toasted malts with some notes of caramel and nuts.
T: Similar to the smell, the beer starts out with light to moderate flavors of toasted malts with some caramel and nut notes. After the maltiness upfront, there is a moderate amount of earthy hops. Starts out a little bitter and then sweetens.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.
O: Pretty easy to drink and definitely is a beer that I could have a couple of though not sure it would be my choice of a session beer as it is just a little too heavy. Definitely enjoyable and another solid offering from Duck Rabbit.
★ 956 characters
3.27/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Absolute beautiful pour into my duck rabbit pint glass. Kept a finger head with a red/amber body.
Saw a bunch of folks rank the taste pretty low with complaints of a metallic aftertaste, But I did not pick up on that. Creamy body, with a very earthy tone/flavor.
Duck Rabbit brews continue to satisfy.
★ 303 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Absolute beautiful pour into my duck rabbit pint glass. Kept a finger head with a red/amber body.
Saw a bunch of folks rank the taste pretty low with complaints of a metallic aftertaste, But I did not pick up on that. Creamy body, with a very earthy tone/flavor.
Duck Rabbit brews continue to satisfy.
★ 303 characters
2.66/5 rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
This beer pours a red/amber with a one finger head and ssome lacing. It really is a beautiful pour. It goes downhill from there. The smell is mostly yeast. Mouthfeel is thin. Taste is a very sour lemon note with not much hop profile. There is a metallic aftertaste. Honestly I expected much better. Maybe it's just me, but this is just not a good beer.
★ 352 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
This beer pours a red/amber with a one finger head and ssome lacing. It really is a beautiful pour. It goes downhill from there. The smell is mostly yeast. Mouthfeel is thin. Taste is a very sour lemon note with not much hop profile. There is a metallic aftertaste. Honestly I expected much better. Maybe it's just me, but this is just not a good beer.
★ 352 characters
3.08/5 rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Best before 11/12. Poured in to Founders tulip.
A - Translucent medium amber with a small layer of off-white head.
S - Bready malts up front with a big sweet toffee and caramel aroma. The hop profile is very muted in the nose.
T - A good bitterness up front with some earthy and floral flavours. Sweet toffee, bready and caramel malts provide good balance.
M - Light to medium body; somewhat creamy. Light carbonation.
O - Very average. Easy drinking but not memorable at all.
★ 484 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Best before 11/12. Poured in to Founders tulip.
A - Translucent medium amber with a small layer of off-white head.
S - Bready malts up front with a big sweet toffee and caramel aroma. The hop profile is very muted in the nose.
T - A good bitterness up front with some earthy and floral flavours. Sweet toffee, bready and caramel malts provide good balance.
M - Light to medium body; somewhat creamy. Light carbonation.
O - Very average. Easy drinking but not memorable at all.
★ 484 characters
2.91/5 rDev -14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Another of tone77's bottles to keep me from going insane on The CANQuest (TM)! Yee ha!
From the bottle: "Proudly hand made in small batches."
I was already beginning to get foam coming up out of the neck of the bottle when I popped the cap, so I employed a gentle pour to keep from getting an out-of-control head. It worked as I created just over a finger of light-tan head with good retention. Color was a deep garnet-red with NE-quality clarity. Nose was quite malty, more than I would have preferred, but still stylistically correct. Mouthfeel was medium and it had a surprisingly biscuit malt flavor on the tongue, not terribly sweet at all. Finish had an odd metallic tang that I was not pleased by. I would not recommend this amber when there are others available.
★ 772 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Another of tone77's bottles to keep me from going insane on The CANQuest (TM)! Yee ha!
From the bottle: "Proudly hand made in small batches."
I was already beginning to get foam coming up out of the neck of the bottle when I popped the cap, so I employed a gentle pour to keep from getting an out-of-control head. It worked as I created just over a finger of light-tan head with good retention. Color was a deep garnet-red with NE-quality clarity. Nose was quite malty, more than I would have preferred, but still stylistically correct. Mouthfeel was medium and it had a surprisingly biscuit malt flavor on the tongue, not terribly sweet at all. Finish had an odd metallic tang that I was not pleased by. I would not recommend this amber when there are others available.
★ 772 characters
2.86/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A: Deep copper.
S: A bit lacking in depth. Smells of alcohol and green apple, as others have note, with hints of turpentine and resin.
T: Bright notes, with a metallic aftertaste. Hops very muted, and not much malt backbone. Drinkable, but far from exceptional.
M: A bit thin and metallic.
O: In general, lacking in complexity for an amber, with little of the rich, caramel notes that characterize the ambers that I prefer. Duck Rabbit makes some fine beers, but this is not one of their standouts. Instead, try the Brown Ale or the delicious Hoppy Bunny black ale.
★ 569 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A: Deep copper.
S: A bit lacking in depth. Smells of alcohol and green apple, as others have note, with hints of turpentine and resin.
T: Bright notes, with a metallic aftertaste. Hops very muted, and not much malt backbone. Drinkable, but far from exceptional.
M: A bit thin and metallic.
O: In general, lacking in complexity for an amber, with little of the rich, caramel notes that characterize the ambers that I prefer. Duck Rabbit makes some fine beers, but this is not one of their standouts. Instead, try the Brown Ale or the delicious Hoppy Bunny black ale.
★ 569 characters
Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale from The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
3.41
out of 5
based on 517 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz. bottle: bright and clear, amber with red highlights; quickly receding, foamy beige head left some nice lacing on the glass. According to the label, this amber should be consumed by April, 2016, so it is a little old.
The aroma was typical of a malt-accented amber ale - syrupy and malty with a complement of flowery hop aroma.
Very nice amber ale flavor profile: caramel and malt flavor with faint hints of roast, as well as a nice addition of hops to keep the ale refreshing.
The ale has restrained carbonation and a long, malt-accented and caramel mouthfeel while never becoming cloying.
I am surprised this ale is rated only "Okay" here; it is not very complex, but is rates favorably with nearly all the ambers I have tried. I hope to obtain a fresher example that has been refrigerated in the future.
★ 834 characters