I just tried it — my recently-bottled Red Ale.
Meh.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t let it ferment in the bottle enough — it’s only 5 days after bottling it. I hope that changes.
It’s tasty, but not really carbonated enough. Pity.
Update 2010-12-21:
Well, perhaps I was too hasty to judge. After leaving it in for another few days, everything seems to have turned out ok. There’s a modest, but respectable head, and the carbonation stays throughout the pint. It’s even received a gracious comment or two from others.
The lesson seems to be that leaving the brew to ferment in the bottle a couple of extra days (i.e., over 7) makes an appreciable and noticeable difference.
Fully drinkable for the holiday season. Which is great, because I made a handy carrying case out of materials I had lying around the shop.