Red Rock Ale

Beer Name: Red Rock Amber Ale
Brewery: Opa-Opa Steakhouse & Brewery
ABV: 6%
Serving method: 12-oz bottle
Born/Bottled/Shipped on: Born 11/5/11

I'm a little bit surprised that this beer hasn't been featured here before. Has it really been over 16 months since the last time I drank one? Time sure flies.

I was drinking these bad boys straight from the bottle, but I've had enough on draught to know some of the important details. Red Rock is a redding copper colored beer that has a little bit of head, but that's not really what it's all about. The aroma is a mixture of light hops and malt, and everything here seems to be in balance. Nothing too outstanding, but nothing bad either.

Much like the aroma, everything is here in balance. There are some nice malty flavors with very light hints of fruitiness. There are also some grassy hops, but nothing bitter. The whole thing has a little bit of a roasted or toasted flavor. Good carbonation for the flavors, and the beer is easy drinking.

Final thought - I like the Red Rocks, so long as they are nice and cold. This is not a beer that stands up to a temperature shift very well though, so be sure to keep them well refrigerated.

-Jon

Opa Opa Blueberry

Beer Name: Opa Blueberry Lager
Brewery: Opa-Opa Steakhouse & Brewery
ABV: Um... ?
Serving method: 12-oz bottle in a fancy Sam Adams glass
Born/Bottled/Shipped on: Unknown

Even though Opa-Opa is no longer on the approved restaurant list, I'll still try their beers from time to time if they're offered to me. It's pretty hit-or-miss with them in my experience. Let's see where this one lands.

Opa's Blueberry Lager is a very pale beer, sort of like the color of straw. It poured with a light head that vanished almost immediately. Since this is the first beer that I've rated that's been served in this particular style of glass, I am not sure if there's any correlation there. I doubt it though. Fruit beers tend to not produce much head. The aroma of this beer is dominated by blueberries to the extent that they almost smell artificial. There was no real lacing to speak of on the glass at the end.

The flavor of this beer is pretty much the same as any other blueberry beer that you've had. Think of Wachusett Blueberry or Sea Dog Blue Paw and you're on the right track. The beer has a light carbonation that works well with the flavor. No real aftertaste here.

Final thought - Probably not quite as good as a Blue Paw, the Opa Blueberry Lager is a perfectly serviceable beer for a summer day. There's not really anything that makes it stand out over other fruit beers though. It's definitely drinkable enough that you could enjoy a bunch on a hot day. Just try to find the ABV first, in case this beer is deceptively strong.

-Jon