InspiRED
Goodwater Brewery

 

 

The appearance was a dark red color with some wispy white lace running all around after the head dissipated. The smell started off with some sweet caramel to toffee to nutty sweetness all around. The taste was mildly sweet with the hops playing an ever so slightly grassy bitter backbone to it. Still, mostly smooth for the most part like an Irish red ale. Crisp sweet nutty to toffee to caramel backbone in the background. On the palate, just like any good Irish red ale, its smooth and rich hitting my tongue exactly as it should. Nutty portion hits nicely in the feel. Overall, damn nice Irish red ale. It does everything for the style and packs in all of your malty needs. I’d have again.

Had this on tap at a ski lodge/small festival in Vermont. I was surprised to be handed such a dark beer when I figured I was ordering a red ale. Appearance is medium brown, with some red around the edges. Slight tan and frothy head. The smell is a hint of smoke and a bit of molasses, as another reviewer noted. I got a tiny bit of the hop bite in the nose as well. The taste was a little harsh around the edges for my liking, but then oddly enough, finished out smoother than it started. The hop bitterness was up front, but then it mellowed out with a more malty backbone. Overall, maybe it's just me not being overly familiar with this style, but it drank (and looked) more like an unrefined brown ale than an Irish Red Ale, in my mind. I'd probably give this one another shot, if I see it again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good
Heavier than Shiner Bock

 

Dark in color, opaque deep brown with red hues. Overall an interesting red. Pretty typical red, but nutty and satisfying. Minimal aroma, but hints of acidic molasses. Possibly a different yeast would leave a better impression;taste like standard American ale yeast. Had on draft in a pint glass at the Tap room at Catamount Glass. And I liked it overall.