Holeshot
Redline Brewhouse

 

The biggest misconception in the beer world is that alcohol content is what makes an offering suited to drinking in quantity. In fact, it's flavour that does. No one forces themselves to drink something they don't enjoy - much less keep drinking it! - but people often will drink more than they should precisely because it tastes so great.

Fortunately, there are certain styles that afford a world of gripping, gratifying flavour that just so happen to be lower in alcohol. English Mild Ales (the dark ones in particular) are probably the best example. Redline Holeshot is exactly that: it looks light yet substantial, showing good clarity and dashing highlights as well as a very rich mahogany colour.

Since I brought it up, another mistake regarding "sessionable" beers is the assumption that what makes them so is that the drinker will want (or be able) to consume a lot of them over an extended period of time. That's one way of defining it. But how about a beer so flavourful and fulfilling the drinker insists on pacing themselves in order to properly savor every drop of it?

I poured this can over half an hour ago and have taken only a few sips. It's downright delicious - there's a delightfully nutty maltiness that smacks of honeycomb, plums and toast. I'm tempted to gorge like a pig at a trough. Yet I haven't. And why not? Because the aroma, which adds nut brittle and lightly roasted chocolate notes to the equation, is even more fantastic.

I've been perfectly content slowly smelling, sipping, and appreciating everything this finely brewed ale has to offer. Attention bar owners: a proper pub will have ales like Holeshot on-tap (or better yet on cask!) at all times. And attention brewers: Redline - far from shy about making big hoppy beers - proves there's still untapped possibilities for what "craft beer" can offer.

I was instantly intrigues when I found out one of my favourite Canadian hop magicians were coming out with a session mild ale! Nutty, earthy, herbal and caramel maltiness. Wicked light but beautiful mouthfeel.