Brian Boru Old Irish Red - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A nice amber. And nice too to have something not widely tried yet. Higher than average carbonation on hops and malt and caramel. More hophead feed. Grapefruit, floral aroma in hops.Mid-sip toast. Medium mouthfeel. Not the best Three Floyd.Radekfest #2.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2005 19:42:13 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.45/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Glowing titian with a roseate blush when backlit. The huge, creamyfirm head is the color of golden brown sugar and looks like it belongs on an IPA. I have a sneaking suspicion this beer is chock full of hops. Although there isn't as much lace as anticipated, several thick chunks cling resolutely to the glass. There's a great deal more lace with subsequent pours and the head never falls below a fat one finger.

The nose is Amarillo hops gone wild. Not wild in the way that some IPAs are wild, but I doubt that there's a hoppier Irish red ale on the planet. In fact, I can think of only a few red ales that even come close. Juicy pineapple is present, just as the label said it would be. Throw in a bushel basket full of white grapefruits and oranges, as well as a slab of sticky caramel and you have a fair approximation of Brian Boru's nose. Superb.

BBOIR isn't quite as big on the palate as expected, but then Three Floyds Brewing can't turn every style into a hopfest, can they? The correct answer is 'sure, why not?' This offering reminds me of Gumballhead due to the significant hoppiness (for the style) coupled with a relatively light mouthfeel. It's a little more full than Gumballhead, but not by much. The malt backbone is composed of caramel and toffee. I'd be tempted to call it gooey if the beer was more viscous.

The BA style description for Irish red ale uses words and phrases such as lightly hopped, a bit sweet, tea-like, well-rounded and balanced. Other than the first, all are right on the money. It's amazing that so much flavor can be packed into a beer that drinks as easily as this one does.

Tea-like is perhaps the most accurate of the above list. It's hard to tell if that's due to some characteristic of the malt or to the leafiness of the hops. The Amarillo aren't able to shine with as much brilliance as they might have because of the countering effect of the caramel malt. They still manage to impress mightily. A slightly more chewy mouthfeel would have been perfect.

I wanted Brian Boru Old Irish Red to be bigger, more resiny and more unrelentingly hoppy, but I've made my peace with what it is rather than what I wish it was. The bottom line is that it's another fantastic effort from those hop-obsessed Hoosiers. This is Borutiful beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2005 21:44:05 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I grabbed this one in a trade a few months back and had been holding out on it for a while. Decided to open it up last night to see what I had and I was more then pleasantly surprised. Twenty two ounce bomber enjoyed via a pilsner glass at fridge temp. Consumed on 09/04/2008.

The pour was breathtaking, this was easily the best looking red ale that I had ever seen. Rich ruby notes swirled in here with a nice caramel brown base color. Lots of light haze and loaded of carbonation streaming up to the top of the glass. A beautiful three inch high head of off white the came up over the top and settled down gradually, really pushing the envelope here for sure. This was about as good of a red ale as I could ever envision.

The aroma as well was just very nice. Rich caramel malt notes were coalescing and accented nicely by a nice sharp pine hop edge. Good solid presentation of aroma here as the bready nature was dominant but not terribly so and some nice balance was developing. The flavor was more of the same, and really for the style just dead on. Rich caramel and bready malts balanced perfectly against sharp resin like hops. Long drying finish really brought the flavor to the forefront and left a long lasting impression with me. Nearly perfect feel was medium bodied, chewy, and very well carbonated. Filling enough to coat the mouth, but light enough to be session able, truly very nicely done. Easily a drinker I put this away with no issues at all during dinner.

Overall I thought this was excellent. Perhaps my favorite that I have ever had in the style. Rich, surprisingly complex and easy to drink I could do no wrong with getting this one all the time. I would definitely seek it out as it really is a great example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2008 22:22:11 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Plenty of off-white head sits atop a red-copper brew. Lots of lacing as this one goes down.

S: Definitely comes off as a malt bomb with a touch of sweetness and a bit of an earthiness. Some hops make their way in behind the caramel and toffee notes.

T: Sweet, but definitely not too sweet. Typical malt profile for the style, but with a little something extra, likely from the hop presence, which is high for the style, but definitely not too high for the beer.

M: Medium bodied and quite creamy.

D: Very, very drinkable. Irish Red is not by any means my favorite style, but this was one of my favorite beers of Spring '09.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2009 14:13:04 | More by Thorpe429

brentk56

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a cloudy copper color with a full head that beautifully laces the pint glass

Smell: Rich caramel aroma blended with orange rind and pineapple; each whiff places one smell or another in the foreground

Taste: Starts out with a rich caramel flavor that is joined by the hops, mid-palate; after the swallow, the bitterness comes to the front but remains balanced, very much like a hoppy Amber Ale

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: I'm not a big fan of the style but this is a very nice beer; as with Gumballhead, the Floyds have taken an often insipid style and turned it on its head

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2007 02:12:35 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.68/5  rDev -34%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Bottle: Poured a deep clear amber color ale with a small foamy head with minimal retention. Aroma of citrus hops is clearly dominant. Taste is a mix between some sweet malt caramel and some overpowering hops. Seems to me this another one of those 3F recipe where they take a traditional style (Pride & Joy, Robert the Bruce) and drop some major hops on top of it. A bit too one-dimensional for my own taste.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2006 18:15:20 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Now this is an Irish Red that I can get on board with. It's absurdly out of style because of the hops, but it makes me compare Brian Boru to other toasty hoppy beers like Nugget Nectar. Off base here?

The beer pour convincingly enough. A medium ruby colored beer turns lighter toward the edges but holds true to the color of an Irish Red. A light froathy head forms on the beer and holds firm at about 1/4", leaving some lacing behind.

IPA-like hops fill the nose giving a lot of orange zest, ruby reds, and pineapple-- all layered on a malt profile that consists of sun kissed caramel, barley, light toffee, and bread crusts. Those hops have no business in an Irish Red, but secretively I love the hop presence here.

...and the hops continue with fresh bright fruits of citrus and tropical, thus religating the malt character to a supportive role. The hop flavor is smooth, rounded, and fades seamlessly into a dry and bitter finish. The malt character has depth, complexity, and elegance all on their own but it's hard to stop and take notice because of the power and seduction of the flavorful 'C' hops.

Soft, malty, and creamy at the forefront of the mouth but the beer quickly turns to a toasty caramel mid-body. Then the toast turns bitter and increases deeper into the finish.

Maybe a better descriptor of this beer is an IPA-strength Amber Ale but with the amber-ness of an Irish Red rather than an American Amber... yea, that makes no sense. Maybe just drinking this wonderful beer is enough.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2010 02:54:01 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Cole's.poured from the tap a deep bronze with a thinner but well sustained slight off white head,mixed aromas of sweet caramel and spicey/leafy hop made it very appetizing.A big lightly sweet toffee presence really showed itself along with a hint of caramel melding into a big spicey hop finish with notes of of leafy mint lingering.A solid and somewaht complex red ale a good combination of malt and hops,another winner from FFF.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2007 23:22:34 | More by oberon

WesWes

New York

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a nice ruby red color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great. It has a fine malt scent that is full of caramel and toffee aroma. It also has a tremendous hop aroma that is citrusy and highly bitter. The taste is good. It has a smooth caramel flavor with a bitter hop edge. It goes down easy and finishes dry, yet sweet with loads of citrus hops. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate/good carbonation. This is a great red ale. It has awesome aroma and taste; a real treat.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2005 23:55:20 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Three Floyds imperial pint glass because I am able to.

Beer is red and mostly clear with a thin tan head of small bubbles, head breaks leaving some lacing on the glass. Looks like beer.

Aroma is sweet and hoppy. More hoppy than expected but still awesome. Earthy and piny. I like the aroma.

Drinkability is high, I'll say that first. Medium body, heavy on the finish, chewy bitterness, some nice mild sweetness at lead off, almost a fruity beginning with a 65 IBU finish. Overall a great great beer from Three Floyds.

This beer is part of my #1 beer per style project, best Irish Red Ale currently on beeradvocate.com, and I agree.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 03:00:58 | More by drabmuh

zeff80

Missouri

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out an orange/amber color with a cream-colored, small, bubbly head. it left minimal traces of lace,

S - It smelled of biscuity sweet malt with a moss/peat aroma. Also, a slight grapefruit citrus smell.

T - It had a nice sweet caramel maltiness with a hint of toffee and chocolate. An earthy hops presence is mild and understated.

M - It was sharp and dry. A medium-bodied beer.

D - This is a pretty good irish red ale. Very different from most, but still quite good.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2008 23:21:33 | More by zeff80

MasterSki

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up a while ago, but finally got around to drinking it.

A - One finger of dirty white foam with surprisingly excellent retention and a bit of lacing. Brown-red hazed look to the brew, with a bit of a glow to it.

S - Very malt forward, lots of caramel, toffee, a touch of chocolate, but also a hint of tomato and earth. The hops have faded a fair bit since I had this on-tap in early April, but there's still a bit of tropical & floral hoppiness still kicking. It's a little too sweet in general.

T - The taste is a lot of toffee and honeyed bread, with a touch of floral hoppiness and ripe fruit (apple, strawberry). There's a mildly grainy aftertaste that is a little bit unpleasant. I actually like the taste a little bit more than the smell, but not enough to bump it up to a four.

M - Medium bodied, and the carbonation is mild, but it's still a little gritty (much like its namesake I suppose). Finish is pretty dry, with some residual stickiness on the top of the mouth (that sustains the unpleasant aftertaste unfortunately).

D - The low ABV and mild carbonation make it easily drinkable, but I'm just not into the taste all that much. I have no idea how this compares to other Irish Reds, but I'm assuming it isn't all that representative of the style (being a Three Floyds brew). Still, if this was among the better options on-tap somewhere I'd have no problems having a pint.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2009 18:52:24 | More by MasterSki

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.75/5  rDev +17%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a nice reddish brown with a light tan head and leaves a thick lace.

S: Strong hops aroma with a little bit of caramel & citrus malt sweetness.

T: The hops that hit you in the smell are certainly there in the taste along with the expected bitterness which gives way to a tea-like flavor and some malt sweetness. Then the hops come back in the finish and stick around in the after-taste.

M: Very crisp and smooth with medium body and medium carbonation. Excellently balanced with a clean finish.

D: The beer isn’t to filling and is extremely flavorful. I could certainly go with this one for a long time.

I had been waiting to try this beer for some time and it was certainly worth the wait (I know I said the same thing about the Dreadnaught, but it’s so true.) especially since I know I won’t be disappointed by Three Floyds.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2006 02:49:31 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A big thanks to Billakowski for sending this one out my way! The beer poured out as a nice looking red/amber color with a light tan head on top. The smell of the beer was hoppier than I expected with some malt aromas coming off of it also. The taste of the beer gives off this really interesting musty/aged flavor. The flavors kept me guessing on what it was that I was tasting. The other flavors were of caramel and some bitter hops in the finish. The mouthfeel of this beer was smooth and lightly carbonated. Overall it's a good brew and I'm glad I got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 04:40:00 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cheers to Finnman for this one, I finally get to review a FFF beer!

Pours a somewhat hazed orange tinged brown (more orange when held to the light) with 1 finger of cream colored head. Above average & lacing

S: Breadyness & leafy hops

T: Leafy hops, toffee, dryness & caramel up front. Some oakyness & more toffee as this warms, along with leafy hops & fruittyness (apricots & figs). Finishes with a bit of orangey & leafy hops, more figs & just a smidge of vanilla, plus just little booze at very end

MF: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation & great balance, plus a little stickyness

Drinks very easy, a solid Irish Red, that is pretty true to it's roots. I could session on this, but would rather move on to the Dark Lord...

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2008 04:15:39 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

It was like a lopsided battle, like none ever seen before. On one side was a host of purported Irish paragons; Killians, Caffreys, & Finnegans. Standing alone, wind whipping through his hair, was Brian Boru. He was brashly-hoppily American, yet grounded as only a grounded malty Irishman could be. A legendary warrior with a holy hop scepter rumored to be blessed by the American Hop-Goddess herself.

Unexpectedly Boru sprung forth at his red Irish opponents. He was bitter, where they were mellow. He had a backbone strengthened by pure malt, where they were barely supported by misappropriated adjuncts. Bruno’s scepter swept forth like a clean lemon acidity separating & curdling milk. They fled before Bruno, the beast that was suckled at the teat of the hop nectar goddess.

Before friends Boru was sweet, but, quiver all ye foes for he shall unleash his bitter wrath upon all who displease him.

The women loved him, for when he passed lusty remembrances of rolling in the hay, with scents of pine needles, citrus, roses, and fruit waft through their minds.

In the end it is the unique dichotomy between the Irish & American that makes Boru so likeable, hoppily brash, yet smoothly malty, what is not to like.

So far only availible at the brewery, go out and get some if you have the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2004 03:28:07 | More by Gueuzedude

emerge077

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This Irish Red has to be my favorite session ale from 3 Floyds...

It pours a unique deep burnt scarlet, with visual fortitude. Mild aroma of earthy peat and rich malts. Taste mirrors the smell, a light and malty sweetness is predominant.
Hops are present, but not off the charts, thankfully. The sweetness is toned down, but rich like molasses. Mouthfeel is similar to an English Mild, with lower carbonation.

Unique version of the style, and recommended...

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2006 02:32:33 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: pours a cloudy amber color with a healthy 2" head. Some spotty lacing develops.

Smell: the nose picks up some soft pine bitterness, grapefruit, and a bit of yeast.

Taste: big caramels, fresh cracked pepper, grapefruit, and a pretty strong bitterness. A pretty hearty red ale.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp at the start and finish. Medium bodied. Caramel candy and malts linger briefly on the tongue in the aftertaste.

Drinkability: easy to quaff this brew. Several pints can be consumed in a session. Worth a look.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2006 22:47:52 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Tattorso for this one!

Pours dark red with a thin bubbly off-white head that becomes a thin disappearing patch. Little to no lacing sticks.

The smell is of the FFF house character along with caramel, some brown sugar and pineapple.

The taste is of toffee, sweet citrus and pineapple. Sweet with a sour fruitt touch. A FFF spin on the style makes it different.

The carbonation is understated, though some swirling in the mouth gives it some life. It is medium-bodied.

It is malty, with a definate house character (that happens to be a nice one). A bit too much on the pineapple for me, though the maltiness has a nice taste - just overpowered by house taste and a bit too much hops for the style. A different, unique, spin on the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 23:45:48 | More by jwc215

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a 650 mL bottle of Brian Boru served in a Three Philosophers goblet. The ale is cool (has been out of the fridge for almost an hour).

Appearance: The ale is a deep ruby red with orange hints that emerge from time to time. There is a small ring of head but no lace.

Smell: This ale has a big strong aroma. The citrusy hops jump out and grab a hold of you. There is no hint of any malt aromas.

Taste: Big strong grapefruit flavors highlight the taste. Those hops are big and bold and dominate the taste. There is a slight caramel malt flavor that provides just a hint of balance. But enough of the malts, the hops are the big story here (as I've seen in Dreadnaught too). FFF is not afraid to use a big bold hop to add a ton of flavor. And surprising, the hops don't strip your tastebuds.

Mouthfeel: The strong citrus flavors from the hops are quite nice and leave a lively feeling in the mouth.

Drinkability: The ale's strong hop character does not impair the drinkability. I would like to see a bit more malts, but overall I have little to complain about.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2006 02:36:40 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Update: 3/3/12

I love the label, the story of Brian Boru, and drinking a hoppy Irish red ale. Old Irish Red Ale at that.

Pours beautifully into my 3 Floyds pint, head forms thick and rises well above the rim of the glass. The body is a deep copper color with some chill haze casting over it.

Aroma has killer hops with a citrus/pine/tropical fruit medley pretty amazing nose to this beer. Underlying malt profile is well hidden by hops but it's there with a nice softness and hints of caramelized notes.

First time I had this is was a bit aged, which this beer shouldn't make it out of the Spring to be honest it should be gone by St Paddy's. Ohio supposedly didn't get much so I'm fortunate that my local got a case. This beer fucks George Killian's horse in the arse with hops, it has what every Irish Red is lacking...hop character.

I'm surprised that this beer has a honey addition, finishes extremely dry and well balanced no overt sweetness left behind, it had to have been fermented out. A nice upfront bitterness that gives of some pine/earthiness and citrus pith on the palate, with a soft oat addition giving the body a bit more girth.

Mouthfeel has bone dry finish which appeals to us hop heads who simply can't get enough, the body is pretty light for how much is going on in this beer no thickness no cloying aspects simply pleasurable experience thus far.

Drinkability amazing I could literally drain bottles of this stuff, I'm happy to say I have a pilgramage planned for late April. I may see some of you folks there. Salute, to 3F's for being amazing and for fuckin' George Killian's horse in the arse with hops of course.

Appears a deep caramel copper body, with a light tan beige head dwindles slowly I'm salivating just thinking about this one. Hop aroma flowing strong with no one else in mind. Herbal alcoholic flow again on I can't believe it let's do some more damage to our brain cells. What a great flow of aged hop aromas that come our way flowing oh so nicely. Flavors flow well so easily the malts blend nicely with the hops I'm burping up the combo of the two. Flavors contain caramelized biscuit malts with strong herbal slightly piney hop flavors really goes well together. Mouthfeel is medium bodied carbonation is sturdy but no overplayed flows really easily. Drinkability twenty two ounces is effortless enjoy this one and raise your glass to Brian Boru I'm about to Google his ass sounds pretty badass.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2007 03:05:54 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I made one mistake with this beautiful beer. I started drinking it too cold, but luckily it started warming up enough where I got to see some interesting character come out of it.

Pours a deep clouded ruby with a light tan head. Nose is caramel and sweet. Flavor is slightly sweet with a leafy caramel character. At first I felt the flavor was dropping off too fast, but then I realized it was just too cold. As it warmed, the flavors became smoother and stayed longer. There's also a nice hearty aftertaste you get as well. Good carbonation and thick and nice on the liquid. Definitely drinkable and a good one to try.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 06:21:37 | More by RblWthACoz

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in an imperial pint glass)

A- Deep amber color with good carbonation and a crystal clear body. Nice medium size head with a tan rocky surface.

S- Fresh hops burst out of the aroma. a faint background of malt is somewhere back there.

T- A taste a big grapefruit hopiness with a bit of a light caramel roasted malt to support the big hop taste. a somewhat grassy hop finish but a very clean finish. Nothing but the aroma of hops is left on your breath.

M- Kind of a slippery mouthfeel but no astringency or alcohol warmth.

D-This is not your father's Irish red. It is an Irish red that 3F's made their own. It does have a big burst of hops and a great flavor. However I don't feel the malt is there to support the hops in this delicious monster, at least enough to call it an "Irish Red Ale". The hops are all grapefruit in punch and I would like to see more dimensions to the hop characteristics. This is another good solid beer from 3F's but not a great beer yet. I will be buying more to age.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2005 03:22:21 | More by rhoadsrage

Wasatch

Utah

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to BrewerB for this brew.

Pours a nice hazy amber color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy off-white head, with some sticky lacing left behind. The nose is big on malts, getting some cherries, and caramel. The taste is slightly sweet, malty, cherries/caramel. Medium body, the finish is dry. Drinkable, this is a pretty tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2009 21:17:52 | More by Wasatch

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On a cold Sunday afternoon, I'm in the mood for a nice malty fall like ale. Thanks to AndrewNations for providing me with another awesome 3F beer.

A nice 1.5 finger fluffy head rises up and fades at a medium pace. The beer is semi clear loaded with bubbles a ruby reddish brown leather color.

Nose of fruits actually, a juicy like ripe fruit aroma, not anything in particular, like a fruit punch. WIth that is some light orange peel and some pineapple. Also some malts, not the maltiness I expected, light crystal malts. Also some honey, and apple cider.

Taste starts with a nice fresh wort taste, some light sweetness and fresh malts. A bit of crystal, and plenty of oats as well here giving it some creamy flavors and feel. Also some fruits, a bit of apple cider again, hint of citrus and orange peel. A bit of honey. Some light bitter hops, fresh grassy and herbal hops, a bit of citrus and spicy hops too. Again not as malty as I expected. As it warms some light whisky and very light oak flavors start to come through. Not sure where they're coming from, but it's there. Finishes a little more bitter, some light spicy and herbal hops and slightly dry. Slight caramel and touch of syrupy molasses finishing it, as well as a bit of the fruits.

Mouth is medium bodied with lighter but decent carbonation.

Drinkability isn't bad, with some very light syrupy flavors on the finish, a nice bitterness that comes on in the finish but nothing heavy. Low abv and the nice combined flavors bring a decent drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 20:09:45 | More by jlindros