Rip Saw Red
Ponderosa Brewing Company

Review: 2130
Name: Rip Saw Red
Brewery: Ponderosa Brewery
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Style: Red Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Date: Maybe May 2024
I enjoy coming across beers I have yet to try from a brewery. Rip Saw Red is another beer from New Mexico, yet I know where Albuquerque is; I have been there several times. I am using a Belcher glass and serving it at 42 degrees. The pour created a frothy, one-fingered, light tan head with fair retention. The quick dissipation left no lacing on the glass. The color is mahogany with reddish brown hues. The beer is clear with no active carbonation. The appearance is average for this style.
The initial nosing of the glass shows some promise for what is about to come. There is an extensive bright hop profile of grapefruit, pine, floral blossoms, orange peel, and a light earthiness. The malt complex is bread with a light biscuit note. Other aromas in the beer are caramel and light honey sweetness.
The beer's flavors unfold in a symphony of taste, starting with an extensive, bright, balanced hop profile. The grapefruit, orange peel, floral blossoms, resin, and a hint of herbal notes create a harmonious blend. With its bread crust and biscuit notes, the malt profile adds a subtle sweetness that complements the hop flavors. The caramel note is a delightful surprise, adding a layer of complexity to the brew.
The mouthfeel is astringent and finishing tannic. The beer's body is medium-low and has medium carbonation.
Rip Saw Red is a fantastic Red Ale. Its bright hop flavor is balanced by a firm malt backbone. Enjoying it on a hot summer day after the Fourth of July is delightful with this beer.