Heavily advertised Guinness-Bass amber ale alternate maintains frisky tan head and burnished copper hue. Chewy whiskey malt souring and wavered cocoa snip placated by toasted barley sweetness. Dry floral hop bitterness affects peated barnyard-hay earthiness and herbal tea hint. But medicinal ethanol surge at mannered caramelized apple finish is debatable.
Suspect opening salvo and overly streamlined appeal spoil Fred's chances. Woody hops counter sweet-sour dried fruits (white grape-fig-date) and apricot-apple tang, but red ale styling is questionable. Any initial Scotch tinge falls off to lesser candied butterscotch scamper.
Almond-toasted mocha-dried cornmeal flavor overrides moderate orange peel bittering. Richer than most red ales as its moderate nutty bitterness picks up considerable dry coffee souring by wood burnt finish.
Though lacking true fruited-hopped red ale essence, barley-roasted chocolate easement provides minor credibility for Irish-styled brew. While imbibing, reddish brown hue seems richer than expectant flavor. And that's a shame. Needs thicker yeast sinew and denser malt extract. Brewery defunct: 2002.
Well-built Flemish Red medium body lathers leathery sour cherry parch with unripe fig, oaken vanilla, and green grape souring. Tart vinegar-y white wine aridity subsumes brimstone treacle.
Elegant orange-ambered red ale bequeaths taut butterscotch-caramel sweetness to off-dry barley roast and chaffed wheat astringency for delightful medium body.