Irish Ale
Top Shelf Brewing Company

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From:
Top Shelf Brewing Company
 
Connecticut, United States
Style:
Irish Red Ale
ABV:
5%
Score:
77
Avg:
3.08 | pDev: 23.05%
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
19
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 05, 2015
Added:
Sep 08, 2013
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Newbiebeer:
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Rated by Newbiebeer from Connecticut

3/5  rDev -2.6%

Dec 22, 2013
More User Ratings:
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Rated by lic217 from Connecticut

1.87/5  rDev -39.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2
The bottle I had was awful.
Apr 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.49 by AGust82 from Connecticut

Apr 05, 2015
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Reviewed by datalager from Connecticut

2.01/5  rDev -34.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.75
Let me start by saying that I am a HUGE supporter of local beers, and I was really pulling for this new brewer out of Manchester, CT.

The appearance was that of an unfiltered red ale...REALLY unfiltered. It otherwise had a rich copper tone and a scant, almost nothing whitish head.

Odor was fine, nothing to write home about, but seemingly bready.

The flavor was like a cross between apple juice and vinegar, with a slight backbone of vomit. I almost spit out my first sip. I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but my gut tells me it was a bad batch. I hope it was because I'd really like to see Top Shelf make it. Any offerings that can be had from local brewers is a benefit to local economy and offers me a sense of pride as a CT resident who often brags of places like Hooker, Two Roads and Willimantic Brewery.

I'm willing to give another shot at it, but will definitely need some time before working up the cojones.
Mar 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by rorjets from Connecticut

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by sphyrn from Connecticut

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Tiernan from Texas

Feb 06, 2014
Photo of far333
Reviewed by far333 from Connecticut

3.14/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Copper colored with a low off-white head that settles out quickly. Low aroma of toasted malt, a raisin note, slightly metallic. Flavor of caramel malt, some bready notes, and a hint of toffee. Not much depth of flavor. Mouthfeel is thin, low carbonation, a slight astringent note. Overall this beer is drinkable and sessionable, but very average.
Jan 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Dec 14, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by nmann08 from Virginia

Dec 13, 2013
 
Rated: 2.25 by MenardMa from Connecticut

Dec 08, 2013
 
Rated: 2.5 by AardvarkJohnson from Connecticut

Dec 06, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by nebula1999 from Connecticut

Nov 27, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by raythealeman from Connecticut

Oct 14, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by DanE from Connecticut

Oct 11, 2013
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Reviewed by Thads324 from Connecticut

2.32/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 1 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.25
A: Poured from a bomber, Belgian shaped. Pours a murky reddish coper color, deep red, thin whispy tan head that dissipates to a small ring quickly.
S: aroma of light roasted grain, toasted bread and a hint of smoke maybe. Some pumpernickel as well. Earthy and pleasant.
T: taste is awful. It tastes like I'm drinking plastic. There aren't any other discernable flavors. Very watery plastic flavor.
M: feel is light and easy to drink at 5%. Low on the bubbles

Smell was good and made it seem like this was going to be a nice Irish red. I actually really liked the aroma. Hopefully this new brewery gets their growing pains figured out sooner rather than later.
I will try this beer again and hopefully it will taste the way it is supposed to.
Oct 06, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by neil2me from Connecticut

Oct 05, 2013
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Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut

3.76/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I picked up a 22 oz bomber of this beer at the brewery on their grand opening date. The beer pours a slightly hazy mahogany color with minimal beige head of 1 cm foaming up and fading to and edge layer rapidly after the pour.
Aroma is some caramel and a bit of cocoa like aroma, the nose is mild but appealing.
First sip reveals an average body and medium yet tingly carbonation.
The flavor is caramel and chocolate malt with just a bit of earthy hops to balance things out on each sip. No hints of the booze (5%ish). The beer is simple and easy to drink, would make a good session ale and doesnt have any flaws that I can detect.
Simple good beer. give it a try!
Sep 08, 2013
Irish Ale from Top Shelf Brewing Company
Beer rating: 77 out of 100 with 19 ratings