Newport Storm Spring Irish Red Ale - Coastal Extreme Brewing Co.

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #50 (March 2011):

Yeah, spring is nearly upon us—at least in the beer world, though it doesn’t just revolve around March 17th, so we look past the style connection here. Firm pour provides a tall head and lengthy lacing. Red knocks on black’s door in a chestnut manner. Hints of roasted malt, mild sweetness and a faint suggestion of licorice root. Sultry smoothness on a medium body. Toasty goodness that lands dry, then roasted flavors kick in. Moderate hopping with some lingering herbal, woody flavors. Palate drys up really quick with a second kiss of the roasted grain. A sessionable ale for sure, sadly a seasonal only ... there is no need to have a boiled dinner just once a year when you can have it whenever you want.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 13:25:36 | More by BeerAdvocate

Smoke

Massachusetts

4.34/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle – Exp Date April. Poured into glass. Head on the beer pours with a slightly tan hue. The color is a deep and dark red and clear. The aroma is mild, but roasted malt and herbal hop is present. The first taste is a balance between malt and hop with a significant roasted finish. The beer coats the palate but finishes quite dry. Certainly different than most red ales, but for an Irish Red seems appropriate.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 22:06:43 | More by Smoke

RichD

Rhode Island

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%

07-02-2012 16:58:22 | More by RichD

mcss

New York

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%

06-08-2012 04:14:18 | More by mcss

standardcherry

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -16.2%

06-02-2012 08:41:56 | More by standardcherry

bonbini26

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%

05-24-2012 01:49:40 | More by bonbini26

ThomasMetal75

Massachusetts

3.08/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

*I think the Bros rating this beer exceptional is too generous*

A- Very cloudy. Has the appearance of beef stock. I don't think I've ever seen a Irish style Red look this cloudy. Very small head that doesn't stick around. Surprisingly sediment
is floating around in the glass.

S- Roasted malts! Sweet and caramel notes. Faint hops.

T- Tastes like a cross between an Irish Red and an IPA. The bitterness is very present. The Carmel malts are also present. Has a sour flavor as well. Carbonation dances on the tongue, although I can't see it in the glass. Just a weird Irish Rd Ale! I think a 3 is a modest rating on taste, but to me this is unique for an Irish Red Ale.

M- Kind of rough to be honest. Sticky and medium in feel. I cannot suck this back in the spring. Nope!

Overall, this was a disappointment. A hoopy Irish Red is not what I want in the spring, nor is a kind of heavy and sticky body/mouthfeel what I want when the weather is getting nice. I wouldn't choose this at anytime of the year. I'd rather Newport Storm bring back the Summer IPA and replace this beer with that!

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 03:22:29 | More by ThomasMetal75

chrispoint

Connecticut

2/5  rDev -44.1%

02-20-2012 18:01:55 | More by chrispoint

JAHMUR

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%

01-16-2012 19:34:46 | More by JAHMUR

virinow

New York

3/5  rDev -16.2%

11-17-2011 01:45:39 | More by virinow

Lawnboy33

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +11.7%

11-15-2011 14:11:01 | More by Lawnboy33

mostpoetsdo

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Copper all the way around, off-white head, not much on the lacing front.

S: Mainly notes of burning leaves and grass.

T: Dirty malt and very earthy hops. Maybe a tad musty, too. Fairly well balanced between hops and malt.

M: Light to medium body, good carbonation, kind of dry.

O/D: Not the best Irish Red, but a good example and worth giving it a shot, at least on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2011 03:43:59 | More by mostpoetsdo

DmanGTR

New York

4.45/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to shogokawada for this awesomeness.

Poured deep ruby red with a wonderfully formed, smooth-bubbled off-white head. Layers of lacing down the side of my Unibroue chalice. Left a prominent cap on top.

Holy cow this is the definition of bready. A deep, grainy, malty, and sweet bread. Not yeasty, mind you. Touch of mineral to complement it. Hints of caramel and treacle in the background. Mildly earthiness of hops.

The flavor is quite impressive. Full flavored with everything from the aroma pronounced twofold on the palate. A good, assertive bittersweet finish with a lasting, malty and caramelly aftertaste. Light hint of roast in there. Just a sprinkling.

Medium/full bodied with a semidry finish. Carbonation is a little on the higher end, but still pretty good (had to dock half a point for that).

Overall, this is an excellent beer. I really like this and I would seek it out again. The flavors are well balanced but very bold overall. Thanks shogo!

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 01:24:05 | More by DmanGTR

msnow34

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally getting around to reviewing this one.Dislaimer this is the last bottle from the first case of the 2011 run. We won it on the valentines day trivia at the brewery. Pours a dark amber into a newport storm crystal tasting glass.
Smooth creamy coffee taste. A little more bitter/acidic than it was fresh. But still good. We drank a ton of these on trivia night. It may have been the GF favorite newport storm beer and I believe it to be another solid offering from a solid brewery.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 23:20:10 | More by msnow34

plaid75

New York

4.47/5  rDev +24.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at the brewery.

Poured a sparkling medium amber hue with a one and a half finger frothy white head. There was good retention and sticky lacing.

The smell featured a clean earthy and smoky malt accompanied by a grassy hop.

The taste consisted of layers of peat smoke, caramel, burnt sugar and nuts. The complex malt was brightened by a pleasant grassy hop.

The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style with a welcomed dry finish.

Overall an excellent example of a style which I thoroughly enjoy when done properly.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2011 14:53:23 | More by plaid75

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ordered a bottle while having some pizza at a restaurant with my family in Providence. Poured into a pint glass. Very dark red color, bordering on brown. Smell was of faint coffee grounds. Flavor was very interesting for a spring ale. A lot of chocolate malt here gives this beer a cocoa/coffee flavor like a porter, but it has the maltiness of a red ale. A unique take on the flavor profile for the style. Moderate amount of carbonation combined with a smooth body made it easy to drink. I enjoyed this beer, and I liked the fact this is marketed as more of a cool weather spring beer, which would be a nice time to enjoy this hearty but mild ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 03:52:30 | More by morebeergood

mattjv

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark red color almost black at first glance, deep ruby hues around the edges. Coaxed about a finger of head out that didn't stick around too long. decent lacing on the glass.

Strong biscuity character on the aroma, and earthy yeast presence. Darker toasted malt adds a woody/smoky component to the aroma.

Robust malt palate comes through on the taste, rich and roasted flavor with nutty/ woody notes and a smokiness with slightly spicy kick. Mild herbal hop finish with a touch of bitterness. Leaves a sour aftertaste that seems rather out of place. Bottle was 2 months within the notched code so its not a freshness issue, the aftertaste does hurt drinkability a bit.

Medium body with moderate carbonation, appropriate to match the malt palate.

Overall: A decent brew, haven't had many of the style but this is the best so far. I like their intended purpose of creating a seasonal for the colder early months of spring in New England. It works well, because with the roasted malt and smoky flavor this isn't the first thing I'd go for in warmer weather.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2011 04:57:45 | More by mattjv

Beatnik4913

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A good, not quite Irish not quite Scotch ale with and earthy smokey smell and taste. Pours with a whitish head that dissipates quickly.

I would hardly call this a spring ale because of the heavy smokey, peaty, earthy smell and taste this beer has. It's not refreshing enough to be a spring ale and not heavy enough to be a winter ale. Again, it's a bit heavy to be an Irish ale but not heavy enough to be a scotch ale. I feel like Newport Storm has created an Irish/Scotch hybrid that's perfect for that odd transition period between winter and spring, where you want something light and refreshing because you want it to warm, but you know deep down that it's going to be cold for another 6 weeks.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 02:56:23 | More by Beatnik4913

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

3.58/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz into Newport Storm pint glass. Haven't had this one in a while.

A- Brown/red muddy color, head is 2-fingers but dies down quickly. Surprising lace on the glass, though.

S- bready malt and light fruit notes.

T- Nice fruity and grassy/earthy hops, good sweet malt base. Some fleeting metallic notes I don't care for.

M- Good body/carbonation, well balanced.

O- Sessionable, cheap, easy drinkin'. Could be tightened up a bit, but it's one I'll buy every year.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 16:26:55 | More by ShogoKawada

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

5.0 ABV. Had it at a tasting session in the Brewery.

Pours a red color with an off-white full head. The flavor balance works for the most part. Hops are a bit scratchy, but do the balancing job ok by putting the sweetness into the background.

There is a strange taste hanging around that I would like gone, but it isn't very strong. Though not a bad beer by any means there is something about this one I can't put a finger on which hurts the drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2011 01:14:16 | More by ExtraStout

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in the trusty Devil's Backbone willibecher.

Thanks to jlindros for this bottle!

And we finally welcome Rhode Island into the fold. This offering therefrom pours a clear dark brown-garnet topped by a finger or so of ecru froth. The nose is heavy on the maple syrup and molasses, with some caramel , chocolate, and a hint of spruce getting used to the pine on the sidelines. So...this is an Irish Red, right? This nose borders on porter or even F/ES. Okay... The taste goes down similarly, though the molasses is definitely more muted and the maple syrup is lighter. A nicely strong contingent of piney hops makes itself known, trying its best to balance out the porter-y bits. The hops do succeed, at least in part, but not enough to fully salvage things. The body is a somewhat hefty medium, with a light carbonation and a crispy feel (not very chewy, but not really not-chewy either). Overall, a confusing entry; not bad, really, but not the first Irish Red I'd reach for.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 16:52:07 | More by TMoney2591

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very nice head that leaves ample spotty lace. Light brown color. Hard to tell, but it appears to be slightly hazy.

Very dry aroma. A little bit of cream. Astringent nose.

The taste has elements of bitter cocoa. Neutral body with a low carbonation. The swallow brings out some hop, but this is the tale of the malt. No sweetness here, this is has lip-smacking dryness to it. I wonder if there is a spot of black patent in the malt mix.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2010 19:21:25 | More by smcolw

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks go out to Wasatch for this one in a trade! 12oz single.

A: Dark red, verging on brown, cream colored head about half an inch thick. pretty cloudy, nice lacing, pretty fair head retention. Nice looking beer.

S: Caramel, roasted malts, even a pretty substantial hit of chocolate, smells quite sweet. No detected hop presence, which is fine for the style. Nice smelling beer.

T: Light honey, caramel, with a faint amount of roastiness as well. Really a balanced beer, faint detection of clean piney hops, but not much bitterness. Not a whole lot of flavor going on, but still a really nice tasting beer. This would really pair well with food. Really a tasty beer.

M: Fairly thin, nice carbonation, dry, but still has a substantial heft to it.

D: Definitely a session beer, I could drink this all night, quite easily. Nice beer, well crafted, I would like to have this on tap at some point. Thanks John!

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2009 01:39:01 | More by pokesbeerdude

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. brown bottle, notched 'JUL' at 'Freshest Before'. Today is July 3rd, so close enough... Thanks to Wasatch for sending along this single.

A: Clear, tawny brown. Very fine carbonation, swirling, ebbing, flowing. Creamy head, the lightest tan, good retention, maybe 1-finger at its peak. Tight cobwebs of lace coat the glass on all sides.

S: Malt/grain aroma - baked bread, dark and toasted a little. Singed nuts, floral honey, only a hint of spicing hops.

T: 'Roasted nut' maltiness and a generous helping of hop spices. Bold grain flavors get darker and more complex with each sip.

M: Crisp, clean. Light-medium body, finishing reasonably dry after a stint of sweetness. Lasting bitterness, a bit chalky.

D: Found this to be be refreshingly drinkable, generously flavored and appropriately sessionable. Not a 'wow' beer, but doesn't need to be. Nice one by CEBC, one I'd have again.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2009 00:06:57 | More by msubulldog25

albern

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer certainly has plenty of taste and character. It pours a very nice rubyish brown color with lots creamy and foamy off white residuals in the head. There is tons of lacing all over the perimeter of the glass with this beer. It looks great. The nose on the beer is roasted caramel malts, some burnt brown sugar, and the very characteristic slightly smokey reddish crystal malt. The nose is very good.

The taste is first rate and I appreciated the medium body of the beer, the full palate of flavor, and the modest carbonation. This is a really good red ale. The taste begins with lots of roasted caramel malts. There are some brown sugar residuals in the background. The beer has the slightly smokey, slightly nutty, a touch caramely crystal malt backbone. There is lots of creamy goodness in this beer. The beer isn't particularly sweet, but it doesn't have that charred over burntness characteristic of the style. There might be a slight hint of cherry floral in this beer as well. This is a substantial beer, with a nice mouthfeel, a good aftertaste that lets you know you've had something important, but without the burned over straw flavors that all too many reds are guilty of. L'Chaim.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2009 00:02:37 | More by albern