Fordham Copperhead Ale

by Barron
(Annapolis, MD)

Fordham Copperhead ale: a beautifully gentle grainy and hoppy aroma

Fordham brewery is located in Annapolis, MD. The brewery was founded in 1703 and is a state of the art Bavarian brewery. They offer up a variety of brews but Fordham Copperhead Ale is a standout.

Copperhead is an altbier in the northern German style.

Appearance: Pours a rich copper red color something akin to maybe a penny with a somewhat meager head that retains nicely.

Aroma: Beautifully gentle grainy and hoppy aroma that's balanced and slightly sweet bordering on fruity.

Flavor: Nice distribution of sweet malt and hops. Hop flavor is not overpowering but is the predominant flavor to be sure. There is a subtle roasted characteristic to the malt that creates a caramel-ish note that's quite nice.

Mouth: Medium carbonation feels even and smooth. Nicely full.

My overall impression of Fordham Copperhead Ale is quite favorable. It's not a really fancy beer but stands up nicely to the critical beer drinker. It has a beautiful color and a great aroma. It's easy to drink with a noticeable amount of hop and malt character that does not try to be the focus.

It's a typical altbier that sticks to the genre that so many drinkers, like myself, find refreshing.