Judging by the products hitting the shelves as we transition from summer to fall, it could very well be the autumn of red ales. It seems every week a new cardinal-colored beer shows up. And, I for one am all for it. Bring forth the red storm!
You’re likely familiar with the amber lager family of beers, including the excellent Vienna lager and Oktoberfest styles of beer. There also exists the mysterious amber hybrid beer category, the rare lager/ale amalgam, which includes German altbiers and California common. But it’s the amber ale group that proves most vague, a general melting pot category for all ruby-hued ales of varying malt and hop strength.
Of the classic styles of ‘amber ale’ there exists the Irish Red ale. A tasty beer with tea-like character, malt-based with a grain flavor and dry finish, low to lightly hopped. Great Lakes Brewery out of Ohio makes a very tasty version, but it’s a spring seasonal.
Red ales, especially those of the hoppy variety, have become one of my favorite categories of beer. Rich, red colors and caramel malt tastes meld with a variety of citrus and piney hop flavors and aromas … what’s not to love?
If, like me, you want sappy, resinous hops from your red ale, there are many delicious options. A moderate level of hops can be found in Rogue’s American Amber Ale and Ballast Point’s Calico Amber Ale. Bitterness begins moving into pale ale range with North Coast’s Red Seal Ale and Terrapin’s Big Hoppy Monster. And, if you’re searching for just enough malt to keep the hops from reaching IPA level, Green Flash Hop Head Red and Bear Republic’s Red Rock Ale are the beers for you.
There are newer releases still this fall, and these beers are where the autumn red is at. Starting with the rich, maltier side we have Anchor Brewing’s new fall release Bigleaf Maple Autumn Amber. Citrus hops are present, but the rustic maple and fall earthy tones are dominant in this amber ale.
Also debuting in 2013 is Sierra Nevada’s submission into the fall red ale race. Heading into the more bitter regions of the red ale country, Flipside IPA is red, rich, and sharp. With flipside, tropical and citrus fruits lead the hoppy charge over a solid backbone of dark bready malt.
Although a few of the hopped out red ales mentioned above push their bitterness levels into the upper range, Flipside is the first to call itself a red IPA. I would expect a trend here, if one doesn’t already exist.
Then there is the updated release of Ballast Point’s one-off fall seasonal Tongue Buckler Imperial Red Ale. A 10 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) big, blood-red bomber of a beer. I love this contribution from southern California. Surprisingly balanced between spicy caramel malts and orange peel hops, the big alcohol burn expected is well hidden in this smooth, medium-bodied ale. Drink it now for the piney hop bite, wait six months to a year for a full-sized old crimson ale. Embrace the redness and set sail for the autumn sunsets to come. Enjoy the brews. … Cheers.
 
Gene’s Haufbrau has at more than 200 beers in bottles or on tap. While they don’t have every beer the Beer Snob writes about, they probably have most. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy. 225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob at publisher@westof.net.
 

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