The Beer Wrangler™ » Red Ale

Duchy Old Ruby Ale

The Beer Wrangler — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 03:22:07 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Recommended)

Duchy Originals Organic Old Ruby Ale is made with a historic malt called Plumage Archer which gives this beer a deeply pleasant roasty malt flavour. The bright amber-ruby colour sparkles, and the gentle nose of biscuity and fruity malt make this a great session ale. The slightly tea-leafy and floral hops break through enough to make this a nicely well balanced beer.

This is not a flavour bomb by any stretch of the imagination, and it falls into a cross between a Best Bitter and an Amber Ale in style, but don’t be put off. This is a well-crafted traditional . . . → Read More: Duchy Old Ruby Ale

Phillips Double Dragon Imperial Red Ale

The Beer Wrangler — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:55:30 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Excellent)

Phillips Double Dragon Imperial Red Ale is this British Columbian craft brewer’s pumped up version of an American Red Ale, which is a hoppier version of the Irish Red Ales. The Imperialisation of this fairly modern style of beer gives it a big punch in both the flavour and strength departments, so is not to be taken lightly!

This deep red ruby ale has a fairly hoppy aroma, with a robust full-bodied flavour. The rich roasted malt features heavily on the palate and is quite sweet, with notes of caramel, molasses and malty bread, but there is just the right . . . → Read More: Phillips Double Dragon Imperial Red Ale

Fat Cat Brewery Honey Beer

The Beer Wrangler — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:37:24 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Mediocre)

Fat Cat Brewery are a small producer in BC Canada (there is another with the same name in the UK) and this is their Honey Beer, an ale made with New Zealand tree sap honey. This gives this light amber brew a slightly smokey honey aroma. This is not a sweet tasting beer as they manage to get the honey flavour without the sugar, and the malt is in there too, but not integrated with the honey. There is also an overall bitterness to the brew, which reminds me of an astringent tree bark flavour, found in campari. Any hop . . . → Read More: Fat Cat Brewery Honey Beer

Anderson Valley Brewing Boont Amber Ale

The Beer Wrangler — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:12:55 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Recommended)

Anderson Valley Brewing Boont Amber Ale comes in the large 650 ml bottles, and it’s a good thing too, as this is a rather quaffable ale. It is a nice bright mid-amber in colour, with a medium frothy head that doesn’t linger for too long. There is a hint of sweetish toasted malt on the nose and maybe a touch of hop, but not a whole lot else. This has a nicely balanced palate with the malt leading the way followed by some spicy hop notes. There is a bit of light fruitiness in the background but not enough to . . . → Read More: Anderson Valley Brewing Boont Amber Ale

Yukon Red – Amber Ale

The Beer Wrangler — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:34:02 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Excellent)

Yukon Brewing are a shining light in a territory without much in the way of craft brewers. That doesn’t mean that they couldn’t compete in parts of the world thick with micro-brewers though, and this beer is a good example why! This pours a deep red mahogany colour with a nice light head. It tastes of toasted malt with a touch of caramel sweetness, but well balanced by some spicy, slightly citric hops on the finish. This is a very drinkable beer, and slips down nicely on a Winter’s evening! Pair this with some roast pork or some meaty grilled . . . → Read More: Yukon Red – Amber Ale

Rogue Ales Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale

The Beer Wrangler — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:42:54 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Excellent)

Rogue Northwestern Ale is a punch in the mouth of a beer. I like hoppy ales so if you don’t, this one probably isn’t for you. It pours a very ruddy mahogany colour into the glass with a lively off-white head. The carbonation is not too high, and feels like a bottled British Ale. The biggest flavour is by far and away the Pacific Northwest hops. Cascade and Amarillo are used to bring this beer to a mighty 80 IBUs. Floral and grapefruit citrus notes abound, from the initial sip right through to the aftertaste. There are nice roasted malt . . . → Read More: Rogue Ales Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale