Barley and Hops Tuscarora Red

Draft sample at pub. Pours clear rad with off-white head. Nose is rater malty. Big caramel taste with a larger than average chocolate malt character, maybe some toffee. Balanced well with a crisp, noble hop ending. Tasty beer, even if the chocolate malt’s a bit overwhelming stylistically.

Draft at the brewery. Dark brown and burgundy colored body with a speckled bran muffin colored head... solid and foamy head initially but dies quickly. Very strong nose of toasted cereal grains, perhaps some cedar and tobacco notes as well, almost a little roast or burnt grains... this thing is all malt, entirely too sweet, slick on the palate, with a sweet and coarse husky grain flavor throughout. Too sweet and too coarse, finishing with an unpleasent flavor of soggy and moldy grains.

Draft at the brewpub, July 2006. A reddish amber beer with a lazing beige head. The aroma is of nuts and lightly of malt. The flavor is very sweet malty with notes of nuts and berries, leading to a dry fruity end, that has a berry note lingering for a long time. I find it a bit too sweet.

On tap at the brewpub, July 2006. Another common US brewpub style that doesn’t always quite hit the mark. AS with the Kolsch, this brewer’s version is better than most. Attractive rich amber colour, tending towards bronze. Smooth, light malt aroma. Very appealing mouthfeel, with a good balance of dry malt and fruity sweetness. Light bitterness makes an appearance ion the finish. Perhaps just a tad too sweet. I wouldn’t call it a world-beater, but this is a very competent and tasty beer.

A good, flavorful red ale that I sampled on tap at the brewery. The malty flavor was strong and good, with subtle hints of caramel. The beer had a dark, rich red color with a thin, pale head. It tasted a bit fruity, and was quite sweet and wet, with average carbonation. A very drinkable, delicious beer! However, after repeat trips, I have decreased the beer’s rating. It has been a bit inconsistent and sometimes has been too watery.