Boulevard Irish Ale

Brewed by Boulevard Brewing Company
Style: Irish Ale
Kansas City, Missouri USA

Deep amber body with an off-white head. The head dissipated quickly, though, and there wasn’t a lace to speak of. Fruity and somewhat acidic aroma at first, and then just plain dried fruit after the head diminished. Malty and subdued dried fruit flavors initially, and then the hops appeared in the finish. The aftertaste seems to be dominated by the malts, but I guess that’s to be expected with this style. The flavor is best experienced as the beer warms up a bit, so I’d recommend that you don’t serve it too cold. Good carbonation, yet I think it might be a little on the fizzy side. Overall, this is a respectable beer, but one six-pack will probably be enough for the season.

(Bottle) Pours a dark brown color with good lacing. Dry, dusty aroma includes light hops and an earthy undertone. Taste includes some moderate hoppy notes, roasted grain, and sweet caramel. Rather thick mouthfeel is slightly sticky, but by no means cloying. Light carbonation. A better than expected offering from Boulevard.

Deep copper color with an average head. Some hops and malts in the aroma. Somewhat hoppy with a light malt finish. Small wheat barely changes the flavor.

12oz Stubby Best by 5/1/08 I got this bottle as an extra in a recent trade with Vancer, thanks again Vance! Boulevard’s Irish Ale pours a fairly clear amber but upon closer inspection there’s some tiny floating sediment that takes away a bit of the clarity. A one finger white head appeared on the pour that fell to a thin cap and left spotty lacing on it’s way down. A bit of caramel and toasty malts greet the nose upfront. There’s a noticeble earthy spiy hoppiness throught. Maybe my mind’s plying tricks on me but every now and then I pick up a whiff of pineapple. While not an exciting ale this is a good one. Irish reds seem to be a tough style to really make stand out and Boulevards version is no different but it is enjoyable. A solid helping of caramel maltiness is accompanied by a touch of toasted graininess. The hopping creates a nice balance and rings in earthy and spicy just like the aroma suggested. Finishes with a touch of lingering bitterness. This beer sports a medium body with a smooth velvetiness. The mouthfeel fits the style really well and keeps it an enjoyable drinker. Drinkability is good. The balanced flavor, mouthfeel, and low abv all make for a truly quaffable Irish red. A good example of hte style from Boulevard. Irish Reds are a style I can’t really get to excited about but this would be a good beer to drink if you were sitting down for a game or in a more social situation where more than a few would be consumed in a night. Thanks Vance! 2/8/08

Good beer....Pored a deep reddish color with off white head, good retention and somewhat laced the glass. Aroma is floral and fruity. Has a nice malty taste with fruity and hoppy notes, slight bitter at the end. Mouth feel is very well balanced. Would drink again.

Draught: This one pours a fairly clear, amber color. there was a bit of a head on it, and it left some lacing down the glass. The aroma was a bit light. What was there was pleasant, with notes of roast and a bit of caramel. It does taste pretty good. Taste is slightly caramel malt sweet, with a hint of roastiness. Hint of hops providing a nice balance.

Tasted 1/22/08. 12oz bottle. Filtered with an amber brown hue. Trace head. Toasty rye bready aromas. Touch mild hops in the nose. Medium bodied and very well balanced. Good malts with a touch of bitterness. Mildly effervescent. Nice dry hop finish. Short lived lingering grassy stickiness. Touch burnt, but it accentuates the blaance, if not the relative balance. Nice and dry throughout. Tasty brew!

ON TAP: nice copper amber color. Caramel hints, slightly dry with a malty, refreshing mouth feel and a crisp finish. Enjoyed it.