Time for Some Irish Red Ale on St. Patrick's Day

Remember the day when Killian's was the only "Irish" Red Ale option if Smithwick's Ale wasn't available or you tire of Guiness? Well these days there are plenty of Irish red's around. This style normally is a bit sweet with toasted malt on the front leading to a medium hoppy dying finish. And don't expect a strong hop aroma. Some breweries attempt to pass off caramel colored lagers as Red Ales (i.e. Killian's); so read the label.

The History Behind George Killian's Irish Red According to Wikipedia

George Killian's Irish Red is a beer with an Irish heritage, based on a recipe created at Lett's Brewery in Enniscorthy, Ireland, in 1864. The beer is named after George Killian Lett, the great-grandson of George Henry Lett, who founded the brewery in Enniscorthy. George Killian Lett died at the age of 84 in Enniscorthy, Ireland in December of 2010. It was originally an Irish red ale called "Enniscorthy Ruby Ale," and brewed from 1864 to 1956, when the brewery closed and it was discontinued. It is no longer sold in Ireland. The brand name "George Killian's" was purchased by the Pelforth Brewery in France. In the mid 1980s Coors bought the rights to use the brand name "George Killian's Irish Red" in America.

This weekend I tasted a few American versions that were available in the DC market and have some recommendations:

• Tongue Buckler - Ballast Point Brewing Company; San Diego, California (imperial red ale; plenty of hops (aromatics too) balance big malty flavor)
• Reilly's Red Ale - Devils Backbone Brewing Company; Virginia (subtle sweetness, tea flavors, more hops than normal)
• Conway's Irish Ale - Great Lakes Brewing Company; Cleveland, Ohio (slightly toasted, decent hop finish)
• Lucky Slob Irish Red Ale - Flying Dog Brewery; Frederick, Maryland (caramel, bready, lower hop profile)
• Irish Ale - Boulevard Brewing Company; Kansas City, Missouri (big roasted caramel flavor)
• Samuel Adams Irish Red Ale – Boston Beer Company; Boston, Massachusetts (sweeter, dying hop finish)
• Red Banshee - Fort Collins Brewery; Fort Collins, Colorado (interesting interplay between malt and hops with malt outpacing the hops to the finish)