Irish Red Ale
Shamrock Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

I chose this to drink with dinner after sampling a flight of everything. It had more taste than a couple, less sweet than one, less hoppy than one... I see the other reviews and yes. It's just a decent red. Dark brown (or was that the lighting?), slightly carbonated, caramel. I like this style, I liked this beer.

 

 

i tend to carry a bias against this style, it just doesnt do a whole lot for me, like there is always a beer i want more than it. its like wine, i love wine, and want to spend more time drinking it, but i just always prefer a beer, so it never happens. thats why its really nice to have a beer like this, sort of reinvigorates me on a style i never really care for, certainly hardly ever order. this is an authentic one, with the yeast tasting really good and making it super dry and well carbonated. its a little plain compared to some of the more adventurous beers i had at shamrock, but this is the bread and butter of an irish pub, and its done right. crackery coppery malt in it, and a lot more body than we are all probably used to in the style. its tasty, if simplistic, i could just drink this all day, even though its maybe more spring than fall.

Red and mostly clear, lacing was ok but the careful pour didn't leave much head (that's ok tho, my glass was nice and full).

Aroma and flavor malty up front, with bready, caramel, and toasty notes, followed by a mildly hoppy balancing bitterness.

Drinkability is very good, finish is caramel malt with a tinge of bitter. Overall I found the beer quite tasty, even if not the top Irish red I've had.

 

 

 

Had this one on tap at the brewery after shopping and walking all day in Pueblo. It was a decent thirst quencher, but nothing more. Hazy reddish color with a decent tan head. Aromas of caramel, sweet malt and light hops. Light bodied, and slightly sweet/nutty, with caramel and a little bit o' hops.

Served in a pint glass.

A: Presents with a cloudy/hazy dark brownish red body under one finger of off-white head that recedes over a few minutes. Very good lacing leaving a nearly complete coating over the top half of the glass.

S: A rather small nose of sweet caramel malts with non-descriptive hops underneath. Unfortunately generic... this could be one of hundreds of run of the mill ambers, reds, and pale ales.

T: Starts of the taste experience with an amber-like malt/hop balance which fades for a little too long before some sweeter toasty malts come in to kick off the uninteresting slightly bitter aftertaste. Nothing here is very defined, inviting, clean or rich-tasting.

M: Medium to light body. Creamy feel from the compact carbonation. This is the best part of this beer, and if the mouthfeel were paired with a good taste, this beer would be noteworthy.

D: Moderate drinkability, but falls far short for the style. I have found that the best Irish Reds are so inviting, rich, and textured that they are hard to put down, and this beer is tasty, but not begging me to drink it.

Overall: An alright example of this much-loved style. If more malts came through, more richness was added to the flavor, and everything cleaned up a bit this could be a good beer. Lacing and mouthfeel are strong points.