Big Rock McNallys Extra

Brewed by Big Rock Brewery
Style: Irish Ale
Calgary, Canada

A dangerously easy quaffer for its 7% abv. So much so that I’m almost glad I can’t get hold of this in Australia. (I said almost.) It pours the bright amber-red colour typical of Irish amber ales but has much more complexity. Surprisingly light floral aroma, with few clues to its alcoholic strength. The body is also surprisingly light, with fresh raisiny notes. Malty but somehow spritely. I drank this in an outdoor spa while watching seals duck and dive in Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula. A highlight of my Canada trip. (Bottle)

this is the best beer i have tasted from big rock. i got this one in the christmas sampler 12 pack. slight caramel aroma, red/brown in colour. found this to have a decent flavour, somewhat bitter. not too bad but i will pass in the future.

Bottle pours translucent amber, thin head, spotty lacing, with non-existant carbonation.   Semi-sweet aroma, some caramel and grains.   Smells rather much like a bock.   Mmmm, quite buttery this is.   Slight caramel & malts, with an ever so soft hop presense.   Good body, medium mouthfeel.   Finishes a bit light tho, er... at least its clean.   Seems more like a light bock than an Irish Ale.   Not bad...   Thanks goes out to radiomgb for the trade!

There was some lame Beer Basics show on TV that I passed by, and they were talking about red ales. One of the three people had a Rickards Red, causing scorn and laughter. One had a Smithwicks, evoking a blase reaction. One had this one, making me curious. since I had one in the fridge (cheers radiomgb) I grabbed it to sample alongside these TV professionals to see if we got the same read on the beer. Well it was a nice, slightly pale, reddish-brown with a thin head. It had some hoppiness on the nose, and obvious caramel malts too. Starts sweet and then has moments of refreshing bitterness before lingering sweetly for a bit. Not great, but enjoyable, and definitely the best I’ve had from this brewery for sure.

Slightly hazy caramel colour with a thin tan head. Warm caramel & malt aroma. Sweet flavour with strong whiskey notes, and a well balanced bitterness in the finish. A pleasant surprise.

Amber in colour. Aroma is malty, caramel and nutty. Flavour is malty, smooth, some caramel sweetness and wood. Light alcohol, well balanced, medium body. Finishes slightly sweet and bitter. Pretty good.

(Bottle) Sampled at Winston’s on 21st Street East. Pours a thin, beige head and a deep brownish-red body. Nose of deep malt and mild apple. Flavour is full-on malt with undertones of apple and cherry. The alcohol is evident and keeps you from thinking common-macro. Pretty good!

I am rating from pure memory, but I remember a slightly above average ale. It’s high alcohol could be very evident and was the dominant taste profile along with some decent malt.