Surgenor Red House

Brewed by Surgenor Brewing
Style: Irish Ale
Comox, Canada

Red-amber color with off-white head. Aroma is some caramel and vanilla, lightly woody and floral. Flavor is initially citrus and roasty malt, a little watery on the mid palate but finishes nicely with bitter hops. I am reasonably impressed with this as an initial release from Surgenor, hopefully it will convert a few light-lager-drinking stereotypes to Irish Ale ... but it’s a little weak in body, complexity and flavor for the ale-adept.

(Draught) Sampled at the brewery. A substantial head atop a reddish amber body. Light nose. I found this rather mild and was the lesser favourite of the original two. The malt is rather one dimensional and it didn’t hold a heavy Irish malt body and finish. I do like this but compared the the Czech Pils, this was less mind shattering - but than again I’m starting to think that I’ve been spoiled with the style-breaking BIG beers from Driftwood and Phillips.