Big Rock McNallys Extra

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

Spent most of my time in university drinking this breweries selections. This one ranks above average of the Big Rock crowd. Dark herb and nut flavor and texture.

Dark crimson color, short, son-gone beige head. Aroma: all malt at first, with dry, herbal tones, nuts, soft fruitiness, so far, the very picture of the Irish Red style. Taste: smooth entry on the palate, ful malt, nice flavor. Light to medium bodied, soft, drying finish, with further flavors edging themselves into the taste,some cherry and apple. Nice ale, here, with good drinkability.

Had this on tap at Melissa’s Missteak in Banff last week. First time I revisited this ale in some time and I must say I picked up some more subtleties of it that I like. Tapped a clear dark amber with a smallish head. Aromas of nuts, caramel and flowery hops. Started big and bold with lots of sweet bready malts laced with some berry tastes then the surprise a slight peat-smoked malt after taste. A very nice medium bodied Irish ale for quaffing on the patios of Banff or in the back yard bar B-Qs of Ontario

Red amber colour with a nice off-white ead. Slightly oxidized, but malty aroma and vinous notes. Light sweetness with berry qualities (strawberry), fruity, slight diacetyl, very good body and mouth feel for this beer.

Poured a pleasant amber colour with a short lived off white head.Mild floral hop aroma with some sweet malts.Good hop bite, slight malts nice finish, no hint of alcohol in flavour.Not bad.

Amber colour and a thin white fine-laced head that leaves a thin lace on the glass. Aroma is malty, caramel, with a faint earthy hop aroma. Flavour is similar rich malt, faint bitterness, and a hint of alcohol. Could have used a bit more bitterness, but is better than many other offerings from Big Rock.

Medium orange colour with with a fully diminishing frothy white head. Faint nutty and caramel aroma. Starts dry, then finishes with a lingering and unpleasant fusel alcohol, malt liquor type bitterness. Mouthfeel is light and soft. Nothing from Big Rock seems to suit my taste and this is no exception.

A brownish copper brew, with a pleasing malty aroma. Quite smooth going down, with a fair amount of hop and alcohol bite. Some bready, oaky, and mineral hints as well. Not really my style, but still enjoyable.