Harpoon Brewery's Hibernian Irish Style Red Ale

Been on vacation in kind of a beer wasteland. Great tequila though.

It'll be good to kick off the new posts with a beer from a brewery I've never tried. Don't know why, just never have.

Harpoon's Hibernian pours a perfect red with a dull tan head that stays a while. Moderate to low carbonation.

Smells fantastic. Bready and crisp, like a red/amber should be. Not muddled by any off or slow smells, just a sharp, crisp, bread smell.

Grainy taste as well, with solid bitterness that is in line with a pale or red. It fades to a bit of a cardboard taste though, kind of like Coors, which is disappointing. Like husks, or wet paper. Definitely not crisp in the taste like in the smell.

Maybe I should have started back with a Founders Breakfast Stout instead.

North Coast Brewing Company's Ruedrich's Red Seal Ale

This beer is another example of why this is a great brewery. Whatever they do, it's done well.

Pours a perfect deep amber with a huge tan head and good carbonation. It's the way this type should look.

Smells great as well. Great balance between a slightly sweet bready malt and slightly grassy and bitter hops. The malt is slightly more prominent.

The taste is reversed, with the bitterness taking the lead. Not grassy, just bitter, with a dry feel to it. The dryness lightens the body a bit, but it's still fairly substantial for an amber. Lingering bitterness stays in the aftertaste. Slight tartness as well, to supplement the bitterness.

Great hoppy amber.