Rubicon Irish Red Ale

From a Big 3 Liter bottle from the Brewers. Talked to a brewer and I really have to say this was really enjoyable. Pours dark red with a tan head. Nose is super awesome and very nice reminiscent of nelson, smells like super citrus orange juice. Taste is malty and sweet and nice and hoppy and nice and big. Glad to try it.

On tap at the brewpub in Sacramento. This came in the glass a really rich red color, with a light pink head and light lacing Hops greet you in the nose and smell like citrus and pine. Very nice clean mouthfeel. Flavor is mostly bitter hops, and the finish is bitter also. Really easy to drink.

Beachwood BBQ and the brewpub. An interesting Irish Ale, as this had a nice hop profile in the aroma and flavor. Copper color with a beige head. Aroma of hops - citrus, pine, earth with some mild toffee and some roasted malt. Not initially sweet up front, more of a moderate earthy bitterness, but toffee makes it’s presence known in the finish. Finishes rather clean with a light dryness. As it warms it becomes sweeter and balances out the initial hoppiness.

Pint on tap at the brewpub. Lightly sweet, sugary malt nose present with some hints of citrus orange. Some cereal and grainy malts, too. Nice aroma...quaffable. Moderatly hazy amber body with a medium tan head and ok lacing. Herbal, sweet, malty, brown sugary flavors in the start and in the middle. Towards the end, this becomes quite hoppy with piney, orangey, and some light hempy hop flavors, too. Centennial and Simcoe hops perhaps? Either way, not a true Irish Ale, per se. This is closer to an "Imperial Red" in the mold of Yulesmith, which is definitely not a bad thing. Yum yum.

Bottled. Clear nut brown. Grapefruity hop aroma. Sweetish and roasty. Extremely hoppy for an Irish ale. The mouthfeel is lightly soapy and the finish has aromatic orangey tones and medium bitterness. Not to style, but a damn good beer!