McDermott's Irish-Style Ale
Rohrbach Brewing Company (Brewpub)

 

 

 

 

Though BA says this beer is a Limited (brewed once) drink, Rohrbach's has brought it back, because I've had two growlers, picked up from Wegmans, in the last week. What a find.

According to Rohrbach's website, it's 5.5% ABV.

It pours a nice, clear reddish-brown color, with a moderate head the quickly recedes to a thin ring, but leave some nice lacing. There's definitely peat smoke in the nose, so much so it could be mistaken for a Scotch Ale based on smell alone. In taste, there's toast, nuttiness, and more peat smoke. Very smooth, well balanced. Reminds me of Rohrbach's Scotch Ale, but with less of the caramel sweetness. An excellent beer I could drink all day. I'm definitely taking a growler of this with me to my annual St. Patty's Day party.

This beer would make a wonderful compliment to beef stew or corned beef.

Having smelled the smoke from a real peat fire in Ireland, getting a whiff of that in beer is a real treat.

McDermott's Irish Red is a crystal clear amber ale with a fine, dense, off-white head that leaves good lacing. It has a slightly sweet, malty aroma. There's a touch of resin in the nose and maybe something slightly umami. It has a very smooth medium body with a clean crisp finish. It's slightly sweet, a little roasty and a little resiny. It's a nice focus on the malt, but there is enough mellow bitterness to balance it out. It's so drinkable. I could chug this entire growler, but I have to go to work in the morning. Alas.