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
2.53/5 rDev -25.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
On the nose I get an obvious scent of burnt caramel and not much else. Pretty uninteresting.
Slightly hazy amber in color with loads of carbonation supporting this fluffy light tan head. Lacing is alright.
Tastes kind of like it smells, like burnt caramel. There really isn't anything pleasing about this beer. There isn't anything bad about it either.
Like the visuals, I get loads of carbonation with a medium body and dry finish that is almost chalk-like. Overall, I wouldn't buy this again. Duck-Rabbit needs to stick with the darker beers.
★ 547 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
On the nose I get an obvious scent of burnt caramel and not much else. Pretty uninteresting.
Slightly hazy amber in color with loads of carbonation supporting this fluffy light tan head. Lacing is alright.
Tastes kind of like it smells, like burnt caramel. There really isn't anything pleasing about this beer. There isn't anything bad about it either.
Like the visuals, I get loads of carbonation with a medium body and dry finish that is almost chalk-like. Overall, I wouldn't buy this again. Duck-Rabbit needs to stick with the darker beers.
★ 547 characters
3.38/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light red in body with white head that hangs around. Smells of toasted grains, light caramel, apple skins. Tastes of apple skins, caramel nuttiness, some spice, and some toasted grains. Light in body with light carbonation. Rather smooth, some nice flavors here but not enough showing itself with this beer. Maybe that was the point. Unthinkable and drinkable.
★ 360 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light red in body with white head that hangs around. Smells of toasted grains, light caramel, apple skins. Tastes of apple skins, caramel nuttiness, some spice, and some toasted grains. Light in body with light carbonation. Rather smooth, some nice flavors here but not enough showing itself with this beer. Maybe that was the point. Unthinkable and drinkable.
★ 360 characters
3.48/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. Best before May 2012.
A big foamy off tan caramel colored head is made, some rather large bubbles in there. Settles slowly on top to reveal a very bronze and red amber nearly clear brew. There's a little bit of darkness but otherwise pretty clear. However, red seems to be a theme here.
Nose brings a real strong artificial cinnamon, but some sticky malt not unlike a doppelbock. Good malt backbone on this, but a sense of sweet strong seems noticeable but toned down. Whispy brown sugar and caramel. However, after a few sips, the nose rings of stinky cut lawn grass.
Palate hits and feels rather unbalanced. A grassy Irish sense of ale character emerges with the mid palate. Strangely slight sour. A powdery malt action hits in the finish, some numbed subdued cinnamon comes out also. A good body on this with a dense feel no worries there.
Overall the mix is interesting but a little too jarring, and doesn't seem to meld in all parts. It is really easy drinking, and no worries there, but I'd probably prefer something else. However, as I drink it longer, it gets a bit better.
★ 1,133 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. Best before May 2012.
A big foamy off tan caramel colored head is made, some rather large bubbles in there. Settles slowly on top to reveal a very bronze and red amber nearly clear brew. There's a little bit of darkness but otherwise pretty clear. However, red seems to be a theme here.
Nose brings a real strong artificial cinnamon, but some sticky malt not unlike a doppelbock. Good malt backbone on this, but a sense of sweet strong seems noticeable but toned down. Whispy brown sugar and caramel. However, after a few sips, the nose rings of stinky cut lawn grass.
Palate hits and feels rather unbalanced. A grassy Irish sense of ale character emerges with the mid palate. Strangely slight sour. A powdery malt action hits in the finish, some numbed subdued cinnamon comes out also. A good body on this with a dense feel no worries there.
Overall the mix is interesting but a little too jarring, and doesn't seem to meld in all parts. It is really easy drinking, and no worries there, but I'd probably prefer something else. However, as I drink it longer, it gets a bit better.
★ 1,133 characters
1.33/5 rDev -61%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Received in a trade from Colby, thanks man. Never heard of this beer or brewery, what a treat! Poured from bottle notched "8" indicating...2008? No clue. The beer pours a clear red amber color with a small white head, perhaps a 1/2 finger, with minimal retention and lacing. The head consists of large bubbles indicating a sharp crisp carbonation? I hope not. The nose is sharp with hints of apples, almost acidic in character, hints of earthy hops and caramel sweetness, but the apple character is overwhelming. The flavor begins with an assault on your senses with an extreme and overpowering sharp carbonation, not pleasant at all. The caramel and apple from the nose are prominent. Mildly bitter. But it's hard to get past the sharp carbonation. Overall, I dumped the beer 1/3 of the way through, not even close to a good representative to the style and way to carbonated. Tasted more like an apple champagne than beer. Will not be back, likely to both the brewery and beer. Disappointing.
★ 993 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Received in a trade from Colby, thanks man. Never heard of this beer or brewery, what a treat! Poured from bottle notched "8" indicating...2008? No clue. The beer pours a clear red amber color with a small white head, perhaps a 1/2 finger, with minimal retention and lacing. The head consists of large bubbles indicating a sharp crisp carbonation? I hope not. The nose is sharp with hints of apples, almost acidic in character, hints of earthy hops and caramel sweetness, but the apple character is overwhelming. The flavor begins with an assault on your senses with an extreme and overpowering sharp carbonation, not pleasant at all. The caramel and apple from the nose are prominent. Mildly bitter. But it's hard to get past the sharp carbonation. Overall, I dumped the beer 1/3 of the way through, not even close to a good representative to the style and way to carbonated. Tasted more like an apple champagne than beer. Will not be back, likely to both the brewery and beer. Disappointing.
★ 993 characters
3.23/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A - A very nice clear amber brown, really nice ruby hue and a nice 1/2 inch of fluffy opaque colored head too.
S - Not used to a sort of green apple tartness in the smell of my amber's. Almost herbal with little sweet malts or hops making way.
T - Taste is a little better I get more caramel and nutty flavors mixed in with my apple herbal tea flavors. Taste is more herbal than my liking... is this an ESB?
M - Light to medium but taste is distracting.
Overall a very unexpected beer from the dark beer masters. Everything I had from these guys seems spot on but this one is no way an amber/red ale. An ESB or English red maybe but it's way too herbal for my liking. Will not revisit.
★ 690 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A - A very nice clear amber brown, really nice ruby hue and a nice 1/2 inch of fluffy opaque colored head too.
S - Not used to a sort of green apple tartness in the smell of my amber's. Almost herbal with little sweet malts or hops making way.
T - Taste is a little better I get more caramel and nutty flavors mixed in with my apple herbal tea flavors. Taste is more herbal than my liking... is this an ESB?
M - Light to medium but taste is distracting.
Overall a very unexpected beer from the dark beer masters. Everything I had from these guys seems spot on but this one is no way an amber/red ale. An ESB or English red maybe but it's way too herbal for my liking. Will not revisit.
★ 690 characters
3.39/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
A - Deep ruby amber, clear, quickly disappearing head
S - Sweet caramel and toasted bready malts...juicy fruit...no hop pressence at all...hidden by the malts
T - Same as aroma...caramel and toffee, nutty, a bit of green and ripened fruits...maybe a slight apple and banana note...a slight tang/tartness too...very complex...different but good...
M - Lighter english like carbonation...less body than expected by the aroma/flavor and especially appearance...would have a expected a bit more weight...a slight syrupy quality...not bad at all
Overall - - A very different American Amber...I would actually classify this as more of an English Ale that American...reminds me very much of a light english brown ale...very close to Sammy Smiths Nut Brown...a refreshingly different and complex Amber...give it a try...especially if you have "HopHead Palate Fatigue"...
CHEERS!
★ 875 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
A - Deep ruby amber, clear, quickly disappearing head
S - Sweet caramel and toasted bready malts...juicy fruit...no hop pressence at all...hidden by the malts
T - Same as aroma...caramel and toffee, nutty, a bit of green and ripened fruits...maybe a slight apple and banana note...a slight tang/tartness too...very complex...different but good...
M - Lighter english like carbonation...less body than expected by the aroma/flavor and especially appearance...would have a expected a bit more weight...a slight syrupy quality...not bad at all
Overall - - A very different American Amber...I would actually classify this as more of an English Ale that American...reminds me very much of a light english brown ale...very close to Sammy Smiths Nut Brown...a refreshingly different and complex Amber...give it a try...especially if you have "HopHead Palate Fatigue"...
CHEERS!
★ 875 characters
1.21/5 rDev -64.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Pours a clear copper color with no head or lace. The aroma is of bread crust, vanilla, and a hint of maple. The flavor is odd. It's a mix of root beer barrel candies, toffee, anise, and another odd, undiscernable taste in the finish. The mouthfeel is light and watery. Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale is a strange tasting beer. Not recommended.
★ 334 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Pours a clear copper color with no head or lace. The aroma is of bread crust, vanilla, and a hint of maple. The flavor is odd. It's a mix of root beer barrel candies, toffee, anise, and another odd, undiscernable taste in the finish. The mouthfeel is light and watery. Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale is a strange tasting beer. Not recommended.
★ 334 characters
4.07/5 rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
picked this up a few weeks ago when in NC. enjoyed out of a duck rabbit snifter.
a - poured a semi-transparent amber with a finger plus of foamy white head. steaky lacing.
s - brussel sprouts. banana. toasted malts. pretty unique with a fresh vedgie sweetness. fresh cut lawn.
t - very nice. rather sweet. much like the smell, banana and fresh cut lawn. seems it doesn't work for a lot of people, but i actually like it quite a bit. different for sure.
m - very lively carbonation.
o - overall, a unique amber that is on the sweeter side and has a nice fresh greens kick to it. i find it quite pleasing for a style that i don't typically love.
★ 648 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
picked this up a few weeks ago when in NC. enjoyed out of a duck rabbit snifter.
a - poured a semi-transparent amber with a finger plus of foamy white head. steaky lacing.
s - brussel sprouts. banana. toasted malts. pretty unique with a fresh vedgie sweetness. fresh cut lawn.
t - very nice. rather sweet. much like the smell, banana and fresh cut lawn. seems it doesn't work for a lot of people, but i actually like it quite a bit. different for sure.
m - very lively carbonation.
o - overall, a unique amber that is on the sweeter side and has a nice fresh greens kick to it. i find it quite pleasing for a style that i don't typically love.
★ 648 characters
2.75/5 rDev -19.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
My first beer from Duck-Rabbit, purchased by my sister-in-law last week, given as a Christmas gift. Notches on label appear to indicate this one was best by October 2011, making this - consumed on 12/29/11 - about 7-8 weeks beyond that freshness date.
A: Poured from the bottle into a pint glass. Body is turbid orangey-amber with a small whitish head.
S: Odd - quite yeasty, with scents of ripe apple noted.
T: First impression is more about the mouthfeel -i.e., an overactive sharpness. After I get used to that, I can figure out the flavors. Like the nose, I'm getting a good amount of fruit - ripe apples - and a sour/tartness (apple skins come to mind) that really seems out of place. Lingering tartness at the finish that occasionally seems like hop bitterness.
M: Like I said, overactive sharp fizziness here detracts from the overall experience (which isn't that good to begin with). Weight is about medium, I suppose.
O: Borderline drainpour, to be honest. It doesn't seem like an amber/red at all - no malty toffee flavors and too much fruit. This reminds me of homebrew I'd get from somebody who's new to homebrewing. Hoping the 2 other varieties of Duck-Rabbit that I got for Christmas are better.
★ 1,215 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
My first beer from Duck-Rabbit, purchased by my sister-in-law last week, given as a Christmas gift. Notches on label appear to indicate this one was best by October 2011, making this - consumed on 12/29/11 - about 7-8 weeks beyond that freshness date.
A: Poured from the bottle into a pint glass. Body is turbid orangey-amber with a small whitish head.
S: Odd - quite yeasty, with scents of ripe apple noted.
T: First impression is more about the mouthfeel -i.e., an overactive sharpness. After I get used to that, I can figure out the flavors. Like the nose, I'm getting a good amount of fruit - ripe apples - and a sour/tartness (apple skins come to mind) that really seems out of place. Lingering tartness at the finish that occasionally seems like hop bitterness.
M: Like I said, overactive sharp fizziness here detracts from the overall experience (which isn't that good to begin with). Weight is about medium, I suppose.
O: Borderline drainpour, to be honest. It doesn't seem like an amber/red at all - no malty toffee flavors and too much fruit. This reminds me of homebrew I'd get from somebody who's new to homebrewing. Hoping the 2 other varieties of Duck-Rabbit that I got for Christmas are better.
★ 1,215 characters
2.77/5 rDev -18.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
thanks to jamie for this. 12 oz bottle
A- deep copper red no lacing and small head
S- sour malt smell with some dark fruit noted. plum and fig maybe.
T- more dark fruit than malt or hops on this one.
M- somewhat thick but drinkable.
O- just ok for an amber. somewhat funky but glad i got to try it.
★ 303 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
thanks to jamie for this. 12 oz bottle
A- deep copper red no lacing and small head
S- sour malt smell with some dark fruit noted. plum and fig maybe.
T- more dark fruit than malt or hops on this one.
M- somewhat thick but drinkable.
O- just ok for an amber. somewhat funky but glad i got to try it.
★ 303 characters
3.63/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: double-poured from bottle into frosted mug. Three fingers of cream-colored head, recalls whipping cream. Head dissipates over 3 min, lacing the mug nicely.
S: sweet and fruity, with hints of apple/pear.
T: hits with sweet caramel apple, then moves into ever-so-slight roasted malts. Finishes with simple, bitter sugar taste on the back of the tongue.
M: a bit airy for an ale, after the head dissipates it becomes very drinkable. Really activates back portion of tongue as sweetness fades to bitterness.
O: This so-called amber ale could be more accurately described as a light brown ale--just doesn't have the roasted/burnt malt flavor to constitute true amber ale. But enjoyable, session ale that North Carolina beer advocates can get behind!
★ 753 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: double-poured from bottle into frosted mug. Three fingers of cream-colored head, recalls whipping cream. Head dissipates over 3 min, lacing the mug nicely.
S: sweet and fruity, with hints of apple/pear.
T: hits with sweet caramel apple, then moves into ever-so-slight roasted malts. Finishes with simple, bitter sugar taste on the back of the tongue.
M: a bit airy for an ale, after the head dissipates it becomes very drinkable. Really activates back portion of tongue as sweetness fades to bitterness.
O: This so-called amber ale could be more accurately described as a light brown ale--just doesn't have the roasted/burnt malt flavor to constitute true amber ale. But enjoyable, session ale that North Carolina beer advocates can get behind!
★ 753 characters
2.88/5 rDev -15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
(A)Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into pint glass. Nice amber/dark gold body with a finger high light khaki head that clings with light lacing and stays around just long enough for bubbly appreciation.
(S)Notes of light caramel with slightly grassy undertones and maybe a hint of citrus.
(T)Some biscut with caramel undertones upfront balanced by a slight hop bitterness with some of the citrus almost lemony tones to finish.
(M)Slightly dry with medium carbonation and a good body.
(O)Almost a little too generic for me, has decent characteristics overall but nothing that makes this stand out from other offerings. Could maybe use more of a fuller malt profile. Not my favorite from these guys but not the worst amber I've had either.
★ 737 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
(A)Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into pint glass. Nice amber/dark gold body with a finger high light khaki head that clings with light lacing and stays around just long enough for bubbly appreciation.
(S)Notes of light caramel with slightly grassy undertones and maybe a hint of citrus.
(T)Some biscut with caramel undertones upfront balanced by a slight hop bitterness with some of the citrus almost lemony tones to finish.
(M)Slightly dry with medium carbonation and a good body.
(O)Almost a little too generic for me, has decent characteristics overall but nothing that makes this stand out from other offerings. Could maybe use more of a fuller malt profile. Not my favorite from these guys but not the worst amber I've had either.
★ 737 characters
3.68/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has an amber color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of malts and caramel. Taste is also very malty, caramel, just a touch of hops are present. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall this is an enjoyable and easy drinking beer.
★ 265 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has an amber color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of malts and caramel. Taste is also very malty, caramel, just a touch of hops are present. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall this is an enjoyable and easy drinking beer.
★ 265 characters
1.89/5 rDev -44.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Best by 04/2011 A: dark, dark amber, nearly brown ale with three fingers of lightly caramel foam falls over a few minutes to a solid sheet of the same with creeping edges. Hazy with spotty lace. (3.5) S: Sweet malts with hints of green apple and banana. Some herbal qualities. (2) T: It’s got band aid and vinyl. Not impressed whatsoever. 1.5) M: Thin for the style with sky high carb and a dry finish. (2) O: Least favorite of the duck rabbit line up. (2)
★ 458 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Best by 04/2011 A: dark, dark amber, nearly brown ale with three fingers of lightly caramel foam falls over a few minutes to a solid sheet of the same with creeping edges. Hazy with spotty lace. (3.5) S: Sweet malts with hints of green apple and banana. Some herbal qualities. (2) T: It’s got band aid and vinyl. Not impressed whatsoever. 1.5) M: Thin for the style with sky high carb and a dry finish. (2) O: Least favorite of the duck rabbit line up. (2)
★ 458 characters
3.68/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a standard pint glass, nice tan head about 1/2 inch thick that hangs around and clings nicely. Color is transparent amber with some brown hints.
Smell is mild, slightly underdone caramel malt with a hint at roasted malt.
Taste not overly sweet caramel malt balanced with a hint of roasted malt, very light fruitiness, hard to pin point the exact type but a tart fruitiness is there.
Mouthfeel is very well balanced nice carbonation and sweet/bitter balance.
Overall, a nicely done amber all, somewhat understated in its flavor and scent but elements are there for a quality brew.
★ 595 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a standard pint glass, nice tan head about 1/2 inch thick that hangs around and clings nicely. Color is transparent amber with some brown hints.
Smell is mild, slightly underdone caramel malt with a hint at roasted malt.
Taste not overly sweet caramel malt balanced with a hint of roasted malt, very light fruitiness, hard to pin point the exact type but a tart fruitiness is there.
Mouthfeel is very well balanced nice carbonation and sweet/bitter balance.
Overall, a nicely done amber all, somewhat understated in its flavor and scent but elements are there for a quality brew.
★ 595 characters
3.92/5 rDev +15%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle
A: a very clear, sort of dull reddish brown color. Dark, off-white head has some reasonable retention.
S: a dark, almost chocolaty smell. Good deal of roast as well. Sweet caramel works its way in between the roasted aromas.
T: the amount of roast on this thing is very unique. Not your typical amber. Also a definite fruitiness that is closest to banana in flavor.
M: vivid carbonation on a medium body.
D: different, but good. An american style that is all over the place and its nice to have one on the malty/very roasted side versus massivly american hopped. Kudos.
★ 591 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle
A: a very clear, sort of dull reddish brown color. Dark, off-white head has some reasonable retention.
S: a dark, almost chocolaty smell. Good deal of roast as well. Sweet caramel works its way in between the roasted aromas.
T: the amount of roast on this thing is very unique. Not your typical amber. Also a definite fruitiness that is closest to banana in flavor.
M: vivid carbonation on a medium body.
D: different, but good. An american style that is all over the place and its nice to have one on the malty/very roasted side versus massivly american hopped. Kudos.
★ 591 characters
3.06/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A 12 ounce bottle from jyounger30; thank you Jay! Best by 09/2011 is indicated via notching on the side of the label.
Pours a golden mahogany (a bit lighter than what I would call "amber") color with massive cream-colored head. Generous sticky lacing is left as the bubbly head slowly settles. Smells of biscuity malts, some caramel, a bit of sugar, and some faint lemon and orange citrus. A bit underwhelming, as I was hoping for a bit more of that caramel malt character. Taste is of orange, some apple, sugar, bread/biscuits, some grain, and a bit of caramel in the rear. Much fruiter and sweeter than I would expect in an amber. It almost tastes like a fruit juice of some sort. Mouth is smooth, but finishes a bit on the sticky side for me. Overall, a decent amber, it just doesn't jive with my tastes as much as others in the style do.
★ 842 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A 12 ounce bottle from jyounger30; thank you Jay! Best by 09/2011 is indicated via notching on the side of the label.
Pours a golden mahogany (a bit lighter than what I would call "amber") color with massive cream-colored head. Generous sticky lacing is left as the bubbly head slowly settles. Smells of biscuity malts, some caramel, a bit of sugar, and some faint lemon and orange citrus. A bit underwhelming, as I was hoping for a bit more of that caramel malt character. Taste is of orange, some apple, sugar, bread/biscuits, some grain, and a bit of caramel in the rear. Much fruiter and sweeter than I would expect in an amber. It almost tastes like a fruit juice of some sort. Mouth is smooth, but finishes a bit on the sticky side for me. Overall, a decent amber, it just doesn't jive with my tastes as much as others in the style do.
★ 842 characters
3.3/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Sawmill Tap Room
Poured a hazy dark amber with one finger of head and nice retention. Smells of sweet caramel and dark malts. Taste is malty and sweet with a fruitiness to it that I akin to a red apple; a little earthy and has just a slight hop bitterness to it. As the beer warms I detect hints of butterscotch. Medium bodied with good carbonation, this beer is smooth.
A little too much on the fruity sweetness side for me. I prefer my ambers with more malt and hop character. The flavors just didn't mesh well for me.
★ 532 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Sawmill Tap Room
Poured a hazy dark amber with one finger of head and nice retention. Smells of sweet caramel and dark malts. Taste is malty and sweet with a fruitiness to it that I akin to a red apple; a little earthy and has just a slight hop bitterness to it. As the beer warms I detect hints of butterscotch. Medium bodied with good carbonation, this beer is smooth.
A little too much on the fruity sweetness side for me. I prefer my ambers with more malt and hop character. The flavors just didn't mesh well for me.
★ 532 characters
3.7/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle, allowed to warm slightly before being poured into my Duvel tulip.
Duck Rabbit Amber Ale pours a crystal clear amber (not just a clever name then). There's about 2-2.5 fingers of cream colored foam that forms the head. Head retention is alright, but lacing is very spotty. The nose is just a tad dull, but features a lush, caramel sweetness. There's also another aroma that I couldn't place until I scanned a couple other reviews, but there's a definite herbal, English tea note as well. The sweetness on my palate is a pretty even split between caramel and more biscuity flavors. There's a bit of barely there bitterness, before that same herbal tea note comes in to close things. The body is sturdy, yet a little bit on the dry side for a beer that's relatively malt forward. The carbonation is just a touch too low, it's basically died off by the time each sip reaches the back of my tongue. It's nice to have an amber ale that's something besides an IPA with a bit of darker malt added, but this one doesn't have quite enough character to make it great. Still, a beer I wouldn't mind coming back to.
★ 1,116 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle, allowed to warm slightly before being poured into my Duvel tulip.
Duck Rabbit Amber Ale pours a crystal clear amber (not just a clever name then). There's about 2-2.5 fingers of cream colored foam that forms the head. Head retention is alright, but lacing is very spotty. The nose is just a tad dull, but features a lush, caramel sweetness. There's also another aroma that I couldn't place until I scanned a couple other reviews, but there's a definite herbal, English tea note as well. The sweetness on my palate is a pretty even split between caramel and more biscuity flavors. There's a bit of barely there bitterness, before that same herbal tea note comes in to close things. The body is sturdy, yet a little bit on the dry side for a beer that's relatively malt forward. The carbonation is just a touch too low, it's basically died off by the time each sip reaches the back of my tongue. It's nice to have an amber ale that's something besides an IPA with a bit of darker malt added, but this one doesn't have quite enough character to make it great. Still, a beer I wouldn't mind coming back to.
★ 1,116 characters
3.8/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a rich amber looking color, alittle murky.
The head is small and lacks abit.
aroma is mostly of rich malts. Slightly toasted.
Hops are minimal.
Taste of course is mostly of malts. Toffee seems to be very promident in this. Hops are light and maybe some floral taste.
Mouthfeel is medium with nothing being offensive in the beer. A smooth finish with a hint of bitterness.
Hey not a bad beer here. Suitable for the autumn months I think.
★ 446 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a rich amber looking color, alittle murky.
The head is small and lacks abit.
aroma is mostly of rich malts. Slightly toasted.
Hops are minimal.
Taste of course is mostly of malts. Toffee seems to be very promident in this. Hops are light and maybe some floral taste.
Mouthfeel is medium with nothing being offensive in the beer. A smooth finish with a hint of bitterness.
Hey not a bad beer here. Suitable for the autumn months I think.
★ 446 characters
3.8/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle dated best by 5/2011 served in a pint glass.
Pours hazy darkish amber with a small off-white head that quickly fades. More cloudy than expected.
Aroma: very nice aroma of medium roasted malts with hints of alcohol and hops.
T - Flavor largely follows smell, and is rather earthy and flavorful for style. Excellent sweet/bitter balance. Flavor improves with warming.
M - medium body with light carbonation and a light bite.
O - a rather full flavored "amber ale" that is more like a brown ale than usual. If you love the flavor of medium roasted barley in your beer, you really should try this one.
★ 619 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle dated best by 5/2011 served in a pint glass.
Pours hazy darkish amber with a small off-white head that quickly fades. More cloudy than expected.
Aroma: very nice aroma of medium roasted malts with hints of alcohol and hops.
T - Flavor largely follows smell, and is rather earthy and flavorful for style. Excellent sweet/bitter balance. Flavor improves with warming.
M - medium body with light carbonation and a light bite.
O - a rather full flavored "amber ale" that is more like a brown ale than usual. If you love the flavor of medium roasted barley in your beer, you really should try this one.
★ 619 characters
3.21/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
My dad brought me this from his latest trip. Thanks dad.
Pours a nice clear amber color. Thin off white head. Slight lacing.
Aroma is kinda malty. Caramel and some yeasty aromas. Not much.
Taste is simple. A bit malty with a slight bite in the finish.
Mouthfeel is smooth. Good carb.
Overall a very mundane beer. Don't think I would buy it very much if it was around me. Too plain. It's ok though.
★ 402 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
My dad brought me this from his latest trip. Thanks dad.
Pours a nice clear amber color. Thin off white head. Slight lacing.
Aroma is kinda malty. Caramel and some yeasty aromas. Not much.
Taste is simple. A bit malty with a slight bite in the finish.
Mouthfeel is smooth. Good carb.
Overall a very mundane beer. Don't think I would buy it very much if it was around me. Too plain. It's ok though.
★ 402 characters
3.33/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Appearance is a dark copper or bronze, with a modest off-white head. Pretty nice looking. The scent is hard to pin down - I'm getting some bread and a little ripe pear aromas. Taste is definitely on the malty side, with some breadiness up front and a sweet caramel in the finish. These are fairly subtle though; it felt like the flavors needed be more aggressive. The mouthfeel was a bit thin and watery, which detracted from the otherwise good taste.
★ 451 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Appearance is a dark copper or bronze, with a modest off-white head. Pretty nice looking. The scent is hard to pin down - I'm getting some bread and a little ripe pear aromas. Taste is definitely on the malty side, with some breadiness up front and a sweet caramel in the finish. These are fairly subtle though; it felt like the flavors needed be more aggressive. The mouthfeel was a bit thin and watery, which detracted from the otherwise good taste.
★ 451 characters
3.63/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 oz. bottle poured into a Duvel Tulip style glass. A hard pour gives an erupting creamy/off-white colored head. It fades after a bit, but provides some crazy good lacing. Amber is an apropriate term but the color of the beer itself it sort of a darker whiskey or bourbon brown. In fact if it had no carbonation, it could easily be confused as that. Very good clarity. Overall a very good looking beer.
The smell is good, but not very strong. There are hints of toasted malts; toffee and caramel and a little bready. Its certainly not a hoppy beer. Once it warms up there are hints of earthy hops, but it's certainly not a dominant feature.
The taste portion is not easy to score. Since red/amber ales can vary so much, it's hard to establish a target baseline. More on the malty side on this one. Caramel and toffee tones are the dominant features. Not very hoppy, yet some slight herbal flavors exist. Similar to a quality oktoberfest in flavor.
Mothfeel is pretty good, medium, maybe heading towards the light end. Carbonation level is very good. Here is where hops are most present. There is a slightly earthy and bitter finish. It's very drinkable. Take it how you want, you can muscle this one down or savor it.
Certainly not the best Amber ale on the market (and not even close to Duck-Rabbit's best beer) but respectable none the less. A general crowd pleaser overall.
★ 1,383 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 oz. bottle poured into a Duvel Tulip style glass. A hard pour gives an erupting creamy/off-white colored head. It fades after a bit, but provides some crazy good lacing. Amber is an apropriate term but the color of the beer itself it sort of a darker whiskey or bourbon brown. In fact if it had no carbonation, it could easily be confused as that. Very good clarity. Overall a very good looking beer.
The smell is good, but not very strong. There are hints of toasted malts; toffee and caramel and a little bready. Its certainly not a hoppy beer. Once it warms up there are hints of earthy hops, but it's certainly not a dominant feature.
The taste portion is not easy to score. Since red/amber ales can vary so much, it's hard to establish a target baseline. More on the malty side on this one. Caramel and toffee tones are the dominant features. Not very hoppy, yet some slight herbal flavors exist. Similar to a quality oktoberfest in flavor.
Mothfeel is pretty good, medium, maybe heading towards the light end. Carbonation level is very good. Here is where hops are most present. There is a slightly earthy and bitter finish. It's very drinkable. Take it how you want, you can muscle this one down or savor it.
Certainly not the best Amber ale on the market (and not even close to Duck-Rabbit's best beer) but respectable none the less. A general crowd pleaser overall.
★ 1,383 characters
Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale from The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
3.41
out of 5
based on 517 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5
a - dark reddish brown w/ 1 finger head
s - very sweet and malty. Lots of caramel / brown sugar scents
t - easy to drink, no hop presense except slight note in the finish, lots of caramel flavor...very similiar to a bock style
m - very watery and thin
o - an average beer, decent flavor, sessionable but a little lacking in body. Flavor profile isn't one of my favorites either.
★ 383 characters