Red Run Red Ale
Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed on tap at Kuhnhenn's brewery in Warren. Red Run Red pours somewhere between bloody crimson and swampy brown, while never fully identifying itself as either one completely. It's very close to being fully opaque, although the slightly translucent edges stop it from being so. The beige-tan head settles pretty quickly to a foamy collar; some spotty lacing is left behind.

Caramel rains from bready sweet clouds; there's no denying that the bulk of this beer is malt and it seems to take pride in that fact. Caramel, bread, a touch of cocoa powder, and some sticky toffee. There are some grainy undertones and lighten everything up a bit and keep the sweetness of the aroma contained. It's like a grown up Fat Tire in some ways.

The knob gets turned up just a bit from the aroma, as everything seems to be amplified a little more on the palate. Lots of sticky caramel and toffee flavors from the malts; super sweet with each and every sip. We're not talking Chocolate Rain or Dark Lord sweet, but a full pint of this might have you reaching for the insulin shot.

Brash hops ride the caramel wave to form a nice clashing of bitter and sweet in the finish that I didn't pick up on the nose. A touch of molasses bounces in and out like a flickering lightbulb, too, though the finish is dominated with mostly light caramel and slightly nutty remainders. Medium bodied, not as "sticky" feeling as it tasts; decent carbonation and a slick mouth feel overall.

I'm not a huge believer in amber ales or red ales, but this one certainly wasn't bad. Lots of malty goodness, for those who are into that sort of thing, but it would be nice to see a more refined and balanced sweetness - believe me, it's possible. It's good, but it hasn't showed me anything I haven't already seen before. Caramel cake with light hop drizzle like whoa.