Cellar Red Reserve
Boston Beer Works - Canal Street

 

First off, I don't think this beer should be in retired status as they're still serving as of the second weekend in march. It poured a dark mahogony red with a quarter inch off-white head. Not transparent at all, this looks to be a heavier red than others I've had. Malty, and slightly fruity aromas are present here.

Sweet taste that has almost a cherry flavor to it. Possibly the way this was aged? Very smooth and balanced, with the malt presence slightly stronger than that of the hops. Rich mouthfeel, without much of a hop bite. This is the first cellared red ale I've had, and while I was impressed, I look forward to trying others to compare it to.

Had this one last summer, lucky enough to catch it on cask.

It poured from the hand-pump with a creamy head that appears a bit fluffy on top. Its deep brown with a ruby red tinge, a mysterious looking concoction. I'm smelling mostly malty notes with vague licorice appearances. The mouthfeel is excellent, creamy and rich, oh so tasty. The driving force behind this brew is the full, juicy malt flavor, which is nicely complimented with hints of roasted barley. Finishes a bit more bitter with a toasted cracker feel. Great balance overall though. Very quenching and well built.

I don't know why this is retired, because it was on tap tonight, September 5, 2005. Maybe they only bring it out occasionally. Easily the best beer I've had here. You never know what you're going to get when you order a red ale, but I love it when they turn out like this. Pours a type of red I've never really seen before. Unexpectedly dark. It is translucent, but when you put it up to the light you don't get that typical ruby hue shining through. It's pretty much blood red and thick looking, with a history of lacing left on the glass. This is a big, bold, aggressive red ale. That being said, it is the epitomy of balance. Strong malts, bitter coffer grounds, and sweet roasty nutty characteristics compliment a really fruity and piney bitter boquet of hops. Excellent. Complex for a red ale even. This is probably the best red ale I've had. Nice medium to full bodied texture finishes things off. Ever so pleasant and intriguing to drink. I hope this won't be the only occasion that I'm able to drhink this stuff, because it really blew me away. Go get it before they run out.

Pours a hazy bronze-red with a two finger off-white head, laced in wide rings.
Strong malt aroma and taste, caramel, beet, bready. Herbal and floral hops, but very malt dominant.
Medium feel, quite sweet. Interesting, but they have better things on tap.

Bone-white head with great lacing and good staying power. A beautiful red color next to that head gives this beer an exceptional appearance, with a light malty\fruity smell. Sweet with a hint of cloves, and bitter with the hops, an interesting mix and very smooth, but not exactly the beer for me. I'd have one again, but probably not two. Wouldn't mind seeing a cask-aged version of this though, would be interesting.

Poured a deep, amber color. This is a beautiful looking beer. The light makes it shimmer with copper. After the modest head resided, I gave it a taste. It is a strange and intriguing mix in the mouth...as if you had very sweet and very bitter and mixed them together. They hit at the same time on the tongue...strange, but good. I liked this beer a lot.

"Ray" of Fenway Beer Works says that this beer was aged approx. 1 month when I had it. I'm curious what effect further aging would have on this beer.