Mickey Finn Imperial Red Ale
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

 

On tap at 515 in Santa Cruz. Part of a 5-beer flight, served in a sample glass, about 3-4 ounces. Deep copper color with a nice creamy tan head. Aroma is tangy and juicy fruits and caramel with some booze in there too. Flavor has minor melanoidin and chocolate notes but otherwise the profile is typical for an imperial red: sweet candied hops and caramel malt. There's also an obnoxious alcohol note that is rather sharp. When you're doubting your ability to finish off a sample of beer because it's too hot, it is tooo hot. Full-bodied, medium-low carbonation.

Pours a chocolate brown color with some amber hightlights, very small head that quickly settled into the lightest of rings. The aroma is of grapefruit and pine hops. I don't really pick up much else. The taste starts with a grapefruit and tropical fruit hop flavor with is followed by some pine and asprin. The malt hits towards the end and brings a brown sugar sweetness. There seems to be a herbal wild flower honey presence as well though it is very light. Perhaps some milk chocolate as well. I dunno there is something there that offsets the hop flavor. The body is moderate to full with very soft carbonation, slightly sticky; finishes balanced. A good imperial red ale, could use some more carbonation and would like to see more flavor from the malt. Drinks well.

On tap at the Toronado. Poured into a tulip.

A-Pours a hazy caramael brown that gives off a nice reddish hue when held up to the light. It has a half finger off white head that has some decent staying power. Not much lace is left.

S-It smells like an Imperial Red. Lots of chocolate and caramel malt impart plenty of sweetness. There is also a generous use of citrus hops.

T-The taste mimics the nose. There is an initial sweetness with caramael, toffee, and chocolate flavors. The citrus hops kick in nicely in the middle. The caramel and chocolate return at the end. In between sips I get some roasted malt flavor that gives it some coffee flavor. Booze comes out as it warms.

M-Falls on the upper end of the medium spectrum.

D-The noticeable booze limits this guy. A smaller tulip glass is the perfect serving vessel.

Overall this was a pretty good beer. The citrus hops are a nice adddition and add another dimesnion to the tremendous amount of malt used. I like seeing Speakeasy kicking out more new offerings.