-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
McNally's Extra Ale
Big Rock Brewery
- From:
- Big Rock Brewery
- Alberta, Canada
- Style:
- Irish Red Ale
- ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.59 | pDev: 15.6%
- Reviews:
- 45
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Apr 21, 2020
- Added:
- May 28, 2002
- Wants:
- 9
- Gots:
- 9
Sweet and hoppy, caramel and dark fruity plum notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by nighthawk:
Reviewed by nighthawk from Canada (NS)
2.93/5 rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
2.93/5 rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
341mL bottle with no apparent freshness date poured into mug.
Pours a clear, red-hued amber with a scant one-finger, bubbly head that dissipates quickly, leaving a tiny off-white ring around the glass.
Aroma consists of sweet grains and a hint of mildly citrus hops.
Very sweet malt taste up front, like bread drenched in honey and caramel. It's almost cloying, but there's a faint hop bitterness that's vaguely teaish and cuts the sweetness before the dry finish.
Mouthfeel is medium body with light carbonation, and a slick and chewy texture.
For the abv, it's quite drinkable. I'm not a huge fan of the initial sweetness, and find it masks any real flavour. Not a bad brew, and probably one of the better ones produced by Big Rock, but I can't really say I enjoyed this beer.
Jul 08, 2009Pours a clear, red-hued amber with a scant one-finger, bubbly head that dissipates quickly, leaving a tiny off-white ring around the glass.
Aroma consists of sweet grains and a hint of mildly citrus hops.
Very sweet malt taste up front, like bread drenched in honey and caramel. It's almost cloying, but there's a faint hop bitterness that's vaguely teaish and cuts the sweetness before the dry finish.
Mouthfeel is medium body with light carbonation, and a slick and chewy texture.
For the abv, it's quite drinkable. I'm not a huge fan of the initial sweetness, and find it masks any real flavour. Not a bad brew, and probably one of the better ones produced by Big Rock, but I can't really say I enjoyed this beer.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by DerekGilboe
5/5 rDev +39.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +39.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is one of my favorite beers of all time! it has a nice malty character that is not overly sweet accented nicely with hops to balance the sweetness without becoming bitter. The color is a nice red-brown characteristic of fine Irish brews, but without some of the aftertastes that turn people off the style. My saddest days were consuming the very last - the first last was the last draft pint of it to be found found and the final sadness was when my last bottle was gone. I wish they would bring this back as the market is now truly ready for this amazing brew - one with very few peers!
Apr 21, 2020Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Man I first had this beer back in the college days, something we called "the Nineties" back in the day. That ol' Mike's Liquor place carried it, although that location is now a Korean food store.
Less of a red color, more like a darker auburn if we're splitting hairs. Full bodied 4/5" off white head. Aroma is a dusty presence that fits the red ale designation. She's a malty one.
Taste, more malt again, minimally hopped as per the style. At this point its already relegated itself to the "only malty/red fan bois" category. I wouldn't say there is anything negative or off flavor wise with the beer. Alcohol is slightly warming. Bitterness seems derived from the scorched malt and small amount of high alpha acid hop. Those burnt toffee and caramel notes with a layer of Earth blended in with them. Does still have a brassiness to it that seems slightly off. I dunno, this brewery doesn't exactly knock their other stuff out of the park either. Yet to have anything that wowed me.
Jul 10, 2019Less of a red color, more like a darker auburn if we're splitting hairs. Full bodied 4/5" off white head. Aroma is a dusty presence that fits the red ale designation. She's a malty one.
Taste, more malt again, minimally hopped as per the style. At this point its already relegated itself to the "only malty/red fan bois" category. I wouldn't say there is anything negative or off flavor wise with the beer. Alcohol is slightly warming. Bitterness seems derived from the scorched malt and small amount of high alpha acid hop. Those burnt toffee and caramel notes with a layer of Earth blended in with them. Does still have a brassiness to it that seems slightly off. I dunno, this brewery doesn't exactly knock their other stuff out of the park either. Yet to have anything that wowed me.
Reviewed by kerryak from Canada (MB)
4.9/5 rDev +36.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.9/5 rDev +36.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This is a first rate beer. Top marks for flavours and alcohol content. It is an authentic Irish Ale!
Unfortunately no longer available in Manitoba due to short sighted Manitoba Liqour Contol.
But leave for Alberta on saturday and will bring some home!
Jul 20, 2017Unfortunately no longer available in Manitoba due to short sighted Manitoba Liqour Contol.
But leave for Alberta on saturday and will bring some home!
Reviewed by Tommo from Massachusetts
3/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This is pretty gross by my standards. Very malty, not much hop charecter on the aroma nor palate, and has almost a christmas or holiday feel to it given its spice/flavor profile
Feb 18, 2016Rated by papat444 from Canada (QC)
3.25/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.25/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Flashback #277
Aug 19, 2015Reviewed by PowerValve from Canada (AB)
1/5 rDev -72.1%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
1/5 rDev -72.1%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Worst tasting swill I have ever put in my mouth, forced down one bottle and then gave the rest to my roommate who also struggled with the taste. The best way to simulate the taste is to brush your teeth and then immediately drink a Colt 45 with a handful of fermented plums.
Jul 24, 2015Reviewed by CalgaryFMC from Canada (AB)
3.82/5 rDev +6.4%
3.82/5 rDev +6.4%
330 ml bottle poured into an English pint glass. Dark orange amber in hue with minimal white head, just a smattering rimming the edges of the glass. Aroma is sweet caramel malts with a little toast ... dried fruit, butterscotch chips, walnut, with some earthy tea-like hops. Indeed, hoppier than expected, with some heavier grass and resin notes accompanied by lighter citrus. Dried plum and caramel as advertized, with some brown bread. Alcohol faintly detectable. Moderately full bodied and carbonation on the low end, rather buttery and smooth yet tannic in the finish. Does suffer from a little of the classic Big Rock caramel malt overdose syndrome but all in all a well-executed and satisfying Irish red.
Sep 16, 2014Reviewed by MicroBrewOrDie from Canada (AB)
4/5 rDev +11.4%
4/5 rDev +11.4%
Mild and full-bodied Irish style Ale. Slight indication of Nugget Nops. Warm toffee and caramel aroma, slight notes of plum. Copperish-Dark Red coloration. Very smooth. Definitely the best Irish Style Ale I've tried in Canada. 4/5.
Aug 23, 2014
McNally's Extra Ale from Big Rock Brewery
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
88 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!