McNeills Ruby Ale

Brewed by McNeills Brewery
Style: Amber Ale
Brattleboro, Vermont USA

What a brew! Exquisitely hoppy and floral. Just the right amount of malt sweetness to balance it out. Full-bodied, not watery like some other Microbrewed IPAs. Beautiful thick head sits atop the dark amber ambrosia. The best beer made in Vt, hands down. Unfortunately, this beer is only seasonal. Buy it a case at a time if you can.

This is a very interesting IPA. You are expecting a huge bitterness, and are surprised by a bitterness balanced very nicely with a slight maltiness and a taste of citrus/sourness. A very refreshing IPA.

9/22/01: Thin head, lovely amber color; fruity, hoppy nose; and a truly luscious, inviting cornucopia of flavors -- caramel, pears, lemon/lime. Just the right bite on the end. Wonderful, like so many of this brewer’s products. 4/18/02: this bottle’s been sitting for maybe 4 months, brewed probably back in Aug-Sept. Much darker than I remember it from last fall; maltier upfront than I remember and with a real kick at the end. Not changing the numbers really; just great. If only McNeills were in some place like California or Oregon! You’d all be talking about them in the same breath as Stone or HotD. Oh well, guess I’m just privileged.

really impressive beer. beautiful red pour (as is to be expected). not as hoppy as i'd expect an ipa to be, but the fruity malts do make up for that lack. nice finish, with a bit of bitterness.

How about that, a red IPA, although the brewer told me it was an American Style Amber. Sweet, malty aroma with minimal head. Concord grapes are a flavor in here as this stuff is pretty damn hoppy. I had this paired with a bitter green salad with a grapefruit vinegarette at a brewers dinner. This guy cam make some beer.

bottle...deep amber pour with medium tan head. Malty hoppy aroma, reminds me of Murphy’s Oil Soap. Very pleasant aroma, I could smell this all day. Very light pine flavor, mostly grapefruit bitterness in the start. Middle sweetens, almost sugary. Light grapefruit bitterness lingers balanced by a slight maltiness to finish. This is very good.

Excellent IPA. On the pour, a fairly strong citrus aroma hits you. My bottle poured transluscent amber. Flavor is citrusy with enough malt sweetness to not be that bitter. Some bitterness on the finish, this beer is well worth seeking out.