Irish red ale is known for its unique malty taste and is on the lower side of the bitterness and alcohol content scales. If you love American craft beer, the Irish red ale beer remains a great style for beer lovers to seek out and appreciate.
Irish-Style Red Ale
The Irish-style red ale is a balanced beer that uses a moderate amount of kilned malts and roasted barley in the recipe, which gives the beer the color for which it is named. Featuring an approachable hop bitterness which rests on the palate, this typically amber-colored beer is brewed as a lager or an ale, and can often have a medium, candy-like caramel malt sweetness. This style may contain adjuncts such as corn, rice, and sugar, which help dry out the beer’s finish and lessen the body. It also often contains roasted barley, lending low roasted notes, darker color and possible creation of a tan collar of foam on top. With notes of caramel, toffee and sometimes low-level diacetyl (butter), think of the Irish red ale beer style as a cousin to lightly-toasted and buttered bread.
America’s Version of Irish Red Ale Beer
Irish-style red ales are an approachable style for people who are new to craft beer, but are also enjoyed and appreciated by even the most discerning of craft connoisseurs. Don’t let these tasty, sessionable beers be relegated to a once-a-year holiday, Irish style reds can be enjoyed throughout the year in a variety of occasions and with a lot of different food options.
American Craft Breweries Serving Irish Red Ale
It’s no secret that Irish beers have played an influential role in the American craft beer scene, and that’s apparent through the Irish red ale beer. It can be challenging to keep up with all of the Irish beer reinventions, and that is why we’ve created an interactive “Find a Brewery” map. The map will help you find small and independent U.S. craft breweries near you; some of those breweries and brewpubs are likely making variations of red ale beer.
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