Freetail Brewing Company Freetail Ale

This week’s Brew Review will not only continue the Red Ale Series by reviewing freshly brewed American Amber Ale, but it will also serve as encouragement for you to support your local brewery. Many of you will never get a chance to try this beer because of its location, but I am sure it’s not the only freshly brewed Red / American Amber available on tap, check local listings.


So here we go. Freetail Brewing Company is a local San Antonio, TX brewery. It’s located in a small strip mall on one of two small hills making a little valley that is filled with adobe roofed houses. It has a relatively small seating area within the restaurant, which has an open kitchen area in one corner and the fully functioning brewery can be seen, in its copper glory, directly behind the bar. The brewing process is not really sectioned off from the rest of the restaurant, so the smell of hops and barley is very evident upon entry. It was a wonderful welcome.


They had about 7 brews available by pulling on what seemed to be hand blown glass tap handles. I tried 3 samples in addition to my full glass of Freetail Ale. I tried 2 versions of what they call “Old Bat Rastard”, one of which had been barrel aged. They had 2 distinct flavors, both full bodied and malty with 8.6% ABV and around 41 IBU’s (a bitterness measurement). I also tried the “Tadarida Black IPA” (no stats available). Not being an IPA guy really, I have to say that this would best be described as the stout lover’s IPA. It is super hoppy, but with an obvious malt presence that would probably make it drinkable for me.


As for the Freetail Ale, it is an unfiltered classic American Amber (close enough to being a Red for this series). The less than clear appearance is nothing to worry about though, because once you take a sip you will not even care. This beer, at about 36 IBU’s, is far less hoppy than the previous red ales in this series. It will please the general, non hop head, population easily. It pours with a fairly thin head and leave very little lacing on the glass as you drink it down. It has a pretty short lasting, clean finish and it was served at just the right temperature.


I paired this brew with a Cobb Salad, one of several salads available on the menu. Lime vinaigrette dressing and bacon provided the tart and salty counterbalance to this malty brew. And overall I give this a 3 out of 5 pint rating.


So, should you find yourself in or around San Antonio, TX, head over to Freetail Brewing Company, where the philosophy is if you “Free your mind and your tail will follow”. Directions and additional information available at http://www.freetailbrewing.com/, you won’t be disappointed. If you are not in San Antonio, head to your local brewery, try a Red or Amber selection and let us know what you think about it.


Thanks for checking out this week’s On Location Brew Review. Thoughts, comments, and questions are, of course, welcome. And remember to enjoy your beer, but responsibly please.


Cheers,
Jason

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