Redheaded Stepchild
Northampton Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

Poured at the Brewery into a shaker pint glass.
Color was deep copper, with a steady stream of carbonation feeding an off white cap.
The nose was deciduous, and malt forward.
The taste was well balanced, slightly piney and a hint of caramel.
Feel was medium bodied with a tight dry finish.
Overall a treat to find a well crafted red ale, one to be tried again.
Cheers

 

 

 

 

On tap at the Brewpub
Comes to the table a cloudy amber color with a creamy off white head. Malty caramel aroma with a solid shot of resinous hops. The flavor is malty and rich with a huge resinous earthy hop flavor that I really wasn't expecting. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet slick mouthfeel. A bit hoppy for the style, but hell I'm not complaining it works.

 

 

 

 

Got this beer as part of the four beer paddle when stopping by the Northampton Brewery on a recent trip to MA. The Readhead was an aromatic beer with more of a fizzy, than foamy, head. Taste-wise, this was actually very much like a Pale Ale, except with a whiskey-type of vapor-burn on the finish. Smooth mouthfeel.

Reddish copper colored with a low head of off-white foam that settles out quickly.

Low aroma of toasted bread malt and tangerine.

Hopppy flavors upfront, surprising for the style, but tasty, full of big citrus. Malt is fairly understated but makes itself known with some bready undertones.

Even mouthfeel, moderate carbonation. Seems a little off style, but a tasty and drinkable beer.

Clear coppery red with a white frothy finger thick head. Head falls quickly to nothing, no lace.
Aroma is moderate malt, honey and caramel, with a piney citrus hop aroma.
Taste is somewhat balanced but tends to hop bitterness. A continuation of the caramel and honey of the aroma overlaid with citrus bitterness that keeps into the aftertaste.
Light bodied with good carbonation, even after pulling on the jug all day.

Very pleasant but not really Irish. Got docked for style, it definitely would do better as an American Red. Highly enjoyable brew.

Was on tap at the Northampton brewery. Not sure if its back for good or for how long it was retired but it was definitely available. It had a sharp amber appearance with a good sized head that thinned out eventually. Spicy hops were what I mainly smelled, but I also sensed a hint of caramel. It was sweet but definitely watered down. This helped it from being too overpowering or being sensed as too "artificial" with the sweetness. Malty overall. Light-medium body allowed the drink to be refreshing but nothing too crisp. In the end, it was a pretty good ale.

Draught @ Brewpub: This one pours a clear amber color. There was a little head and minimal lacing. The aroma is a bit weak. It is lightly sweet, with a bit of caramel malt. The taste is slightly dry, and somewhat malty. This is a decent enough session beer.