Red Ale
Fort George Brewery + Public House

This ale reminds me somewhat of Astoria Brewing’s Buoy 8 Strong Ale. The comparison draws upon the gruff, husky nature of both beers. Fort George’s Red Ale is raw and grainy in a manner that some may not appreciate. I happen to enjoy it precisely for this reason. It is red tea colored with minimal hop emphasis. Its enjoyment of greater carbonation than most FG beers affords it a foamy head of sea suds and a gracious display of lace.

I’ve always admired the versatility of this style. So long as the color is reasonably coordinated, you can pretty well call anything a red ale, leaving the flavor wide open to interpretation. In this case, the husk and grain of it surge to the vanguard with integrated bitterness accenting its brusque disposition. The slightly pasty mouthfeel suffers for the beer’s grainy nature, but not enough to thwart its drinkability.

For what it is, it’s quite satisfying. But you may wish to taste a sample before ordering a pint.