Caramelized apple waft and toasted barleymalt sash juxtapose dry hop-spiced orange-grapefruit bitterness of relaxing well-balanced IPA.
All posts by John Fortunato
RED DOG PREMIUM
Miller Brewing’s “uncommonly smooth” pale-bodied lager has red ale-like spice-soured hop fizz, cereal-grained malt lark, and toasted barley sweetness preferable to boring malt liquors such as Colt 45 or Elephant, but too astringent for recommendation.
(ATLANTA) RED BRICK PEACHTREE PALE ALE
Zesty orange-peeled grapefruit rind bittering invades nose then sour lemon-bruised tongue. Bark-wooded pine nuts further embitter hop-headed delight.
(ATLANTA) RED BRICK BROWN ALE
Really fine full-bodied southern ale may lack creamy resilience, but not rounded nutty makeup. Oily coffee surge embitters cocoa-powdered toffee malts and hazelnut-pecan-walnut illusions. Fig-date souring enhances peanut shell reminder.
RED BELL PHILADELPHIA ORIGINAL LAGER
Sugary malt summit and soft-buttered sourdough valley juxtapose dulled grain bitterness, displaced citric sourness, and cardboard bottom of blase’ pale lager. Brewery defunct: 2007.
RED BELL BLONDE ALE
Golden clouds of yeast residue obtrude formidable light-headed blonde. Pungent malts garnish tamped-down hops, smoked grains, and grapefruit dirge. Brewery defunct: 2007.
RED BANK GOLDEN PREMIUM LAGER
So commonplace it compares to processed Budweiser instead of Scotch-adorned Michelob and lacks advertised full-bodied inertia. Faint caramel malts mesh with musty barley sweetness and light hop fizz at fast fading watery finish. Too dull-indistinct to be a summery session brew yet easy to imbibe. Brewery defunct: 2002.
RED BANK DARK PREMIUM LAGER
Jersey microbrew made with German hops and malts too bland and processed to compete with serious Bavarian competition; lacking full-bodied depth and complexity. Initial unassuming aroma hides dirty grain core as fizzy carbonation overwhelms dark chocolate residue. Brewery defunct: 2002.
(MESTANSKY) REBEL ZOLIK
Pungent malted grains, grassy wheat, and sourdough yeast coalesce for strong musk-like alcohol astringency. Animated hops re-enforce grain barrier, embittering the coarsening finish quite well. Picture at www.crowncaps.org
(MESTANSKY) REBEL 2000 PROTI DROGAM
Despite limpid musty malt aroma and washed out lime finish, decent medium-bodied lager caresses mineral water discretion with earthy barley-wheat chaff, casual dry hop bitterness, and sourdough sinew for unassumingly strong rigidity.
(MESTANSKY) REBEL 12 DEGREE LAGER
Longer ‘lagered’ and more crystal malted than Rebel Pilsener, placing soft-grained wheat chaff above scant spiced hops to soapy mainstream finish. Strong alcohol pungency noticeable.
(MESTANSKY) REBEL OSMICKA
Another easy flowin’ Rebel brew (bottled for Svijanska Brewery). Pale yellow hue, fragrant hops, watery flow, and a nip of sour bread yeast consume billowy front end. Mild grain bitterness and light malt persistence soften skanky yeast finish reminiscent of Heineken. A pleasantly acquired taste.