Description
Toasty & Sweet
Our twist on the traditional British-style red ale is brewed with Cashmere hops, and a mix of four malts: Honey, Melanoidin, 2-row, and Roasted Barley. A distinct sweet malt, nutty and spice flavour gives way to warming chocolate, molasses and honey undertones with vanilla, caramel and dried fruit aroma.
Head Brewer, Jacob Schmidt, put on his red boots and cape, flew around the city to save the day (again). As a young lad in school at Brewlab in Northern England, he spent what little free time he had travelling the countryside in search of amazing local brews. This new brew is inspired by the local traditional Amber and British Red ales Jacob enjoyed in Gateshead on the southern bank of the River Tyne.
Online ordering only available to residents of Ontario. Must be 19+.
Pmicdee (verified owner) –
December 15 beer from Nita’s 2021 Beer Advent Calendar
Pours dark red, almost brown with a thick beige head on top. A bit of spicyness on the nose. In addition to the hops, on the taste I also detect some rye and some pine notes. Nicely carbonated
Matthew G (verified owner) –
Really dig this Amber ale. More on the sweet side but has a roasty vibe to it as well. Need to try some more from Spearhead for sure!
Matt K –
Surprisingly refreshing for a red ale!
T.P (verified owner) –
Great colour. Clean taste. Not too hoppy.
Dave (verified owner) –
A nice looking amber with strong sustained head and lace. Malty nose. A bit sweet and malty with a nice dry pleasant bitter finish. A nice brew to slowly drink with friends. Will try to find on draft.
thehyperduck (verified owner) –
473 mL can from the LCBO; dated Nov 16 2021 and served slightly chilled.
Pours a foggy, translucent copper-amber colour, producing one finger of flat, foamy, cream-coloured head that dissipates within a minute or two. It leaves behind a narrow fringe of lace, in addition to a tight collar and some filmy wisps – looks fine to me. Toffee, toasted bread and orchard fruit on the nose, with hints of lemon and leafy, herbal hops.
A little sweet at the forefront, but balanced by some nice, low-key bitterness on the tail end. I’m getting nutty malts, toasted bread, toffee and roasted grains, followed by hints of marmalade. Herbal, leafy, somewhat earthy hops wrap things up, with a slightly malty aftertaste that doesn’t linger. Light-medium in body, with mild carbonation and a smooth, somewhat creamy mouthfeel – a pleasure to sip or gulp back, and extraordinarily drinkable.
Final Grade: 3.75, squeaking out a B+. Spearhead’s Amber of the North makes for a fine session beer, as well as a serviceable red ale – I found this to be distinct from an English bitter or pale ale, or an American amber for that matter. Since “British red ale” isn’t a style on BA, Irish red works for me, being the next closest thing anyhow. Mostly a malt forward experience, though the Cashmere hops help to balance it out a little – good stuff, I’d buy this again the next time I’m in the mood for a malty amber/red.
John Perreault –
Nearly as ‘canny’ as Newcastle Broon!!!!!