Cardinal
Bobcaygeon Brewing Company

473 mL can from the LCBO, one of six brews in Bobcaygeon's Cottage Holiday Pack. There's no date on the can, but the box was packaged Oct 15 2024. Currently listed at 7.1%, this appears to be distinct from the original 2020 maple-aged release.

Pours a clear copper amber colour, producing just over one finger of lumpy, foamy, light beige-coloured head that settles off within a couple of minutes. A wavering band of uneven lace adheres to the glass, with a soapy, frothy collar and filmy cap lasting on - lookin' good. The aroma is a little sweet, with caramelized sugars, toffee and a touch of red licorice candy coming through alongside notes of earthy, piney hops and doughy malts.

It's a rich and flavourful red ale, but somewhat lacking in flavour diversity. Biscuity, toasted malts and toffee sweetness are prominent, with notes of floral, piney hops and a little bit of cherry/red licorice also discernible. Finishes with piney bitterness and biscuity malts receding into a slightly warming, bittersweet aftertaste that lingers on the taste buds. Medium-full in body, with low carbonation that weakly nudges against the palate; feels smooth and a little slick on the tongue. Fair drinkability for its strength, but one can per night is enough for this guy.

Final Grade: 3.84, a B+. Cardinal Red IPA is a respectable hybrid, effectively showcasing both the rich malt flavours of an American amber, as well as the bitter, earthy, piney characteristics of a West Coast IPA. Think of this as an IPA-ified version of their Dockside amber ale: I liked it, but I wouldn't call it great, because there just isn't enough depth here to propel this beer beyond being merely 'good'. Worth a try in any event.