Rudolph’s Red Nosed Revenge
Westbound & Down Brewing Company

one of the better beers i have had from these guys actually, and a really neat idea as i understand it. a collaboration with jakes in littleton, one of the greatest beer bars anywhere. i got this can with a sticker on it that serves as an invite to their new years party, which i think is the coolest way i have ever been invited to a party in my life! very cool they had the jakes folks up there to make this beer, which sort of flirts with being a red ipa, but ends up more as a robust rye red ale overall, a very well made beer. deep caramel amber color to it and a ton of active carbonation, mostly clear but its a little too dark to see all the way through. the head is over an inch high and sort of deep tan over the brick crimson tarnished penny brew. i smell some toasted or kilned slightly caramelized grain, a touch of the earthy rye trying to dry it out, and a hop profile that has a candied orange note to it, robust and festive without being boozy or spiced or anything, nice! the flavor is good, if a bit all over the place. sort of dry hoppy and vegetal fruity up front, but the bitterness of an ipa type never comes on later, so the finish is a little weird for me, in that it never really finishes. ripe red berries and apple notes in the flavor too, toffee and caramel, citrus peel oiliness, and a baked desserty malty vibe, nice flavors and lots of them. it could be a little drier than it is, and i would like to taste the rye as much as i smell or feel it here, but overall this is something a little different and a nicely made can of beer for an awesome purpose!