Red Ales

NEW RELEASE: Heavy Seas Aarsh Red

The latest and greatest addition to Heavy Seas Brewing’s Mutiny Fleet had docked – “Aarsh Red.” That’s pirate talk for an Irish red ale.  Imperial Irish Red Ale of course.  Just in time for a particular Irish holiday…

Commercial Description:
Our version of Continue Reading →

Ft Collins Retro Red Becomes Red Banshee

Ft Collins Brewing has changed the name/label of their Retro Red to “Red Banshee” in 2011.

Commercial Description:
2011 marks the return of a Ft Collins legend.  The longtime favorite of FCB’s grandparent brewery has been undercover as Retro Red for the Continue Reading →

COMING SOON: Peak Brewing King Crimson

Peak Organic Brewing Company is set to add 22oz bombers to their lineup in 2011.  Apart from a special edition release, this is the first wide release bombers by the growing brewing company.  The first bombers will hold “King Crimson” Continue Reading →

NEW RELEASE: Bridgeport Kingpin

New from Bridgeport Brewing (Portland, OR) is Kingpin Red Ale.  Red Ale boasts being triple-hopped, the real way – not the “man up” light pilsner way.  Expect a nice red color, and a rare-er breed of hops – Liberty.  You’re Continue Reading →

Terrapin Big Hoppy Monster

Per Terrapin:

This mammoth imperial red ale leads with a tantalizing hop aroma that is quickly complemented by an enormous malt backbone & finished with a multitude of hoppy goodness.

Annual Release: August

The high content alcohol of these beers make them perfect for Continue Reading →

SEASONAL RETURN: Redhook Late Harvest

Redhook Brewing (Portsmouth, NH) debuted a great pilsner (Ropeswing) this summer.  That might be why their fall seasonal isn’t a lager, but a red ale.  It changes things up a bit.  The label for Late Harvest got a little update Continue Reading →

Posted in Heavy Seas, New Releases

NEW RELEASE: Heavy Seas Aarsh Red

The latest and greatest addition to Heavy Seas Brewing’s Mutiny Fleet had docked – “Aarsh Red.” That’s pirate talk for an Irish red ale.  Imperial Irish Red Ale of course.  Just in time for a particular Irish holiday…

Commercial Description:
Our version of the Irish Red Ale, brewed with 3 kinds of grain then pulled through a pot of gold with 2 kinds of hops. Slainte!

Style: Red Ale
Hops: Warrior, Cascade, Palisade
Malts: Pale, Crystal, Caramel, Roasted Barley

Taste Expectations: Clean & full malt flavor. Bready & caramel.  Slightly toasty. Subtle dark fruit. Candy-like finish.

Availability: 22oz bombers. Draft.  February Mutiny Fleet release

7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Ft. Collins Brewing, Seasonal Return

Ft Collins Retro Red Becomes Red Banshee

Ft Collins Brewing has changed the name/label of their Retro Red to “Red Banshee” in 2011.

Commercial Description:
2011 marks the return of a Ft Collins legend.  The longtime favorite of FCB’s grandparent brewery has been undercover as Retro Red for the last four years making the rebrand more of a reveal.  Retro Red enthusiasts need not fear as the recipe  will remain the same tempting combination of crystal and wheat malts for an impeccable flavor punctuated by the piquantly spicy character of Willamette and Tettnanger hops.

Style: Red Ale

Taste Expectations: Caramel malt profile.  Toasty.  Biscuits. Light fruity hops.

Availability: 12oz/6pks.  Draft.

5.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Peak Organic Brewing

COMING SOON: Peak Brewing King Crimson

Peak Organic Brewing Company is set to add 22oz bombers to their lineup in 2011.  Apart from a special edition release, this is the first wide release bombers by the growing brewing company.  The first bombers will hold “King Crimson” an imperial red ale previously only found on draft.

King Crimson was first brewed commerically 2 years ago in small batch for festivals.  The next brew expanded the release of Crimson to tap handles only.  This next brewing of King Crimson will be both draft AND 22 oz bottles as this beer grows in popularity.  This year’s release is also the first time this beer has been shipped outside of New England.

Description from Rob Lucente, owner of Peak:
This beer is full of American west coast fruity hops. Lots of Simcoe in the dry hop.  King Crimson has a classic west coast chico yeast strain which gives it a nice dry finish. This King is roasty & toasty with a great malty backbone.

Style: Red Ale (Imperial)

Arrival: Late February, 2011.

9.5% ABV
90 IBU’s

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bridgeport Brewing, New Releases

NEW RELEASE: Bridgeport Kingpin

Bridgeport KingpinNew from Bridgeport Brewing (Portland, OR) is Kingpin Red Ale.  Red Ale boasts being triple-hopped, the real way – not the “man up” light pilsner way.  Expect a nice red color, and a rare-er breed of hops – Liberty.  You’re glass runneth over. Drink up.  Especially when it’s brewed by one one of the more seasoned & flavorful craft brewers in the United States.

KINGPIN is a full-flavored, red-colored ale that uses a rarely-grown Willamette Valley Hop varietal known as Liberty Hops from fourth generation hop farmer John Annen of Annen Bros. Farm in Silverton, Oregon. Jeff and his team of brewers also used rye and caramel malt leading to a unique flavor profile; triple-hopped for bitter aroma and a unique dry-hopped character.

Style: American Red Ale
Hops: Liberty

Taste Expectations: Bready malts, floral hops.  Caramel. Hoppy nose, nice hoppy character.  Lacks a lot of coppery flavor like other reds.
Availability: 12oz/6 pks.  Draft.  Year round

7.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Beers, Terrapin Beer Company

Terrapin Big Hoppy Monster

Per Terrapin:

This mammoth imperial red ale leads with a tantalizing hop aroma that is quickly complemented by an enormous malt backbone & finished with a multitude of hoppy goodness.

Annual Release: August

The high content alcohol of these beers make them perfect for cellaring…hide them away and pull one out for a special event 2-3 years later.

WATCH OUT! THIS MONSTER BITES!

ABV: 8.75%

IBU’s: 73

O.G.: 21.3

Malt: 2-Row Pale, Munich, Crystal 20, Crystal 30, Crystal 45, Crytal 77

Hops: Warrior, Centennial, Cascade, Ahtanum, Simco (Dry Hop)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Rogue Brewing, Seasonal Return

SEASONAL RETURN: Rogue – Santa’s Private Reserve

Rogue loves Santa.  Santa loves beer.  Well, my idea of Santa loves beer anyway.  This seasonal is actually not a winter warmer, but a red ale.  Perfect for Santa.

HISTORY
Rogue’s annual holiday offering, Santa’s Private Reserve, is a variation of the classic Saint Rogue Red, but with double the hops–including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John “more hops” Maier!

Beer Rundown:
Style: Amber/Red Ale
Hops: Centennial, Chinook, Rogue Farm Revolution, & Freedom
Malts: Carastan 30-37 & 13-17, Crystal 70-80 & Rogue Micro Barley Farm Dare & Risk

Taste Expectations: Roasty, & malty.  Touch of spruce.   Herbal hops.  Unique yeast profile.

Availability: 12oz/6pks. 22oz Bombers.  Draft. Nov-Dec, Seasonal.

6% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Redhook, Seasonal Return

SEASONAL RETURN: Redhook Late Harvest

Redhook Brewing (Portsmouth, NH) debuted a great pilsner (Ropeswing) this summer.  That might be why their fall seasonal isn’t a lager, but a red ale.  It changes things up a bit.  The label for Late Harvest got a little update in 2008 and has been the same since.

Commerical Description:
As the fall days grow shorter, beer drinkers naturally start their migration toward more robust, full-bodied brews. Late Harvest is an easy-drinking, yet flavorful brew that features a deep chestnut color and unique, roasted malt aroma and flavor. Late Harvest’s rich flavor is the result of using four different malts, yet the robust profile remains balanced and sophisticated, thanks to our two distinctive hop additions.

Beer Rundown:
Style: American Amber/Red Ale
Hops: Willamette, Saaz, Chinook
Malts:  Pale, C60, C70/80, C Vienne, Smoke

Taste Expectations: Toasty malts.  Sweet caramel malts.  Light fruit flavors. Grassy/earthy hops.  Another good fall offering.

Availability: 12oz/6 pks. Draft.  September-November seasonally.

5.8% ABV
30 IBU’s


by Reid Ramsay