15A Irish Red Ale

Question 1

15A Irish Red Ale - Overall Impression

Answer 1

An easy-drinking pint, often with subtle flavors. Slightly malty in the balance sometimes with an initial soft toffee or caramel sweetness, a slightly grainy-biscuity palate, and a touch of roasted dryness in the finish. Some versions can emphasize the caramel and sweetness more, while others will favor the grainy palate and roasted dryness.

Question 2

15A Irish Red Ale - Aroma

Answer 2

Low to moderate malt aroma, either neutral-grainy or with a lightly caramel, toast, or toffee character. Very light buttery character optional. Low earthy or floral hop aroma optional. Quite clean.

Question 3

15A Irish Red Ale - Appearance

Answer 3

Medium amber to medium reddish-copper color. Clear. Low off-white to tan colored head, average persistence.

Question 4

15A Irish Red Ale - Flavor

Answer 4

Moderate to very little caramel malt flavor and sweetness, rarely with a light buttered toast or toffee-like quality. The palate often is fairly neutral and grainy, or can take on a lightly toasty or biscuity note as it finishes with a light taste of roasted grain, which lends a characteristic dryness to the finish. A light earthy or floral hop flavor is optional. Medium to medium-low bitterness. Medium-dry to dry finish. Clean and smooth. Low esters optional. The balance tends to be slightly towards the malt, although light use of roasted grains may increase the perception of bitterness slightly.

Question 5

15A Irish Red Ale - Mouthfeel

Answer 5

Medium-light to medium body, although examples containing low levels of diacetyl may have a slightly slick mouthfeel (not required). Moderate carbonation. Smooth.

Question 6

15A Irish Red Ale - Comments

Answer 6

The style is fairly broad to allow for examples beyond the traditional ones from Ireland. Irish examples tend to be lower alcohol, grainier, and drier in the finish, while non-Irish versions are often higher in alcohol, sweeter, perhaps more caramelly and estery, and are often seasonal offerings.

Question 7

15A Irish Red Ale - History

Answer 7

While Ireland has a long ale brewing heritage, the modern Irish Red Ale style is essentially an adaptation or interpretation of the popular English Bitter style with less hopping and a bit of roast to add color and dryness, although some suggest a longer history. Rediscovered as a craft beer style in Ireland, today it is an essential part of most brewery lineups, along with a pale ale and a stout.

Question 8

15A Irish Red Ale - Characteristic Ingredients

Answer 8

Generally has a bit of roasted barley or black malt to provide reddish color and dry roasted finish. Pale base malt. Caramel malts were historically imported and more expensive, so not all brewers would use them.

Question 9

15A Irish Red Ale - Style Comparison

Answer 9

A less-bitter and hoppy Irish equivalent to an English Bitter, with a dryish finish due to roasted barley. More attenuated with less caramel flavor and body than equivalent-strength Scottish Ales.

Question 10

15A Irish Red Ale - IBU

Answer 10

18-28

Question 11

15A Irish Red Ale - SRM

Answer 11

9-14

Question 12

15A Irish Red Ale - OG

Answer 12

1.036-1.046

Question 13

15A Irish Red Ale - FG

Answer 13

1.010-1.014

Question 14

15A Irish Red Ale - ABV

Answer 14

3.8-5.0%

Question 15

15A Irish Red Ale -Commercial Examples

Answer 15

Franciscan Well Rebel Red, Kilkenny Irish Beer, Murphy’s Irish Red, O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale, Porterhouse Nitro Red Ale, Smithwick’s Irish Ale