McGuires Double Irish Red

Big thanks to fishingnet for scoring this tasty growler. It pours copper with lasting tan head. The aroma is kind of sweet malts and citrus hops backed by mild woody oak notes. At the end of the draw I get a touch of pine and a bit of heat to the nose. The taste is smooth with a combination of sweet malts, oak and a bit of booze and then moving toward citrus and pine hop bitterness. The hop bitterness builds to midway as the flavors even out even further and provide a smooth ride to the finish.

sampler and pint at brewpub, Destin, FL Had a lengthy talk with Gary and Tom, the brewers at the Destin location. This was labeled as the Double Irish Red which in the end turned out to be more of a DIPA. Estimated ABV is around 8-9% This beer was aged 7 months in whiskey barrel and only available in a 50 gal cask at the brewery. In the end, the result was a beer that was closer to a DIPA than a strong Irish Ale. This one was just outstanding, regardless of the way it was labeled. Pours copper hazy, beige head. aroma is very hoppy/pine with strong caramel tones and very boozy with hints of barrel and whiskey. taste, hoppy, some fruits, spices, thick boozy palate with oak barrel whiskey presence. Finish is also strong and hoppy with citrus pine, notes of caramel, some chocolate. Highly drinkable and treacherous. One fine beer by the good guys at Mc Guires.

GABF 2007: Poured a clear copper with an off-white head. Nutty and toasty caramel malt aroma. Semi-sweet with a hint of honey. The malty flavor was sweet with some citrus on the finish. Moderate citrus rind bitterness.

Date: 10/13/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewfest, GABF

muddy dark red, wispy off white head, rich dark caramel and munich malt aroma with earthy hops, rich malt flavor, lots of bready sweetness, light bitterness for balance,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4

On tap at McGuires in Destin FL. Served in a small snifter glass.....a deep red-amber with a small white head that dissipates quickly. A fine white lace net is evident until the glass is empty. When cold the aromas lay kinda dormant. Warmed in the hands a bit you’ll notice some candy sugar, sweet malts, and fruitiness in the nose. The mouthfeel is smooth and a little syrupy....the taste that follows is equally syrupy with alcohol and a decent caramel malt/hop balance right through to the finish. Full bodied and a spritzy carbonation fill this one out. The finish is dry and bitter, very nice.