REDCON
Comrade Brewing Company

RB transfer

Had on tap. Clear dark amber body with a finger of white foam and periodic lacing. Toasted caramel malts with a hint of earthy hops in the nose. Taste separates the toast and caramel into distinct flavorings, a kiss of earth and orange zest keep one interested. Feel is malty, smooth, lighter bodied, yet full. A fine irish red ale for the season

 

L: Deep amber , light tan head
S: Carmel, toasted hazelnut, bread
T: Dark caramel, dried fruit
F: Full body, light carbonation.

Apparently used to be brewed with East Kent Goldings and 6%. The updated REDCON, a take on Irish Red, won 2018 GABF Bronze Medal is brewed with Simcoe hops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was thirsty. Easy to drink, I could have swallowed this whole Ruby red, smells of toast, a very balanced taste. I like a little more heft with Irish Reds, but this was enjoyable and refreshing.

 

This was a pretty good Irish red, one I'd drink again in early spring when all the other Irish seasonals hit the shelves. Not too sweet, not too bitter, just a nice easy-to-drink beer. Sometimes that's all you're looking for, and this works.

Comrade was forced to change the name of this beer to "Redcon Irish Red" when an out-of-state brewery that had a beer of the same name threatened legal action.

Brief notes from a growler pour:

HEAD: As thin as could be. Off-white. Recedes within 20 seconds, leaving no lacing.

BODY: Amber-coppper of average vibrance. No yeast is visible within.

It's not to style, lacking the characteristic deep red hue.

AROMA: Amber malts and mild toastiness, with a hint of faint hop character.

A restrained reticent aroma.

TASTE: Follows the aroma, with some malt syrup notes thrown in. Very basic, simple, and shallow. The toasted malt attributes aren't intense enough given the style. This is as plain a red ale as I've ever had. There's little to say about it given its simplicity, but it's not balanced per se, nor is there any subtlety or nuance to its execution.

In short, it tastes like your buddy's first successful homebrew. No infection or off-notes, but also not much flavour.

TEXTURE: Well-carbonated. Aptly medium-bodied. Smooth, wet, and approaching refreshing. A bit more dryness and coarseness would bring it closer to style conventions, and would help coax out a bit more depth of flavour from the toasted malts if they were more intense.

OVERALL: An unremarkable offering from Comrade. I'll plan to revisit it on-draught to make sure it hasn't just fallen off as a result of the growler, but based on this tasting, Redcon is a lackluster attempt at an Irish Red that really falls short. Drinkabe, albeit forgettable.

C (2.85)