Suspect opening salvo and overly streamlined appeal spoil Fred’s chances. Woody hops counter sweet-sour dried fruits (white grape-fig-date) and apricot-apple tang, but red ale styling is questionable. Any initial Scotch tinge falls off to lesser candied butterscotch scamper.

Stalled fruited malt opening, scant mocha sequel, and mellow dry coffee resin delicately embitter sullen earthy finish that fades fast.

Almond-toasted mocha-dried cornmeal flavor overrides moderate orange peel bittering. Richer than most red ales as its moderate nutty bitterness picks up considerable dry coffee souring by wood burnt finish.

Though lacking true fruited-hopped red ale essence, barley-roasted chocolate easement provides minor credibility for Irish-styled brew. While imbibing, reddish brown hue seems richer than expectant flavor. And that’s a shame. Needs thicker yeast sinew and denser malt extract. Brewery defunct: 2002.

Dry Irish-styled ale misnomer discounts peculiar sour cherry-peach pucker and orange blossom-grapefruit tartness. Overt fizz knocks back any sweet ‘red ale’ semblance as acridity builds, negatively affecting overall zest.

Well-built Flemish Red medium body lathers leathery sour cherry parch with unripe fig, oaken vanilla, and green grape souring. Tart vinegar-y white wine aridity subsumes brimstone treacle.

Spectacular slow sipping garnet-hued dessert ale alternates strong green apple waft and dry cherry nose above undeniable eye-squinting citric tartness. Lithe berry tang sweetens prominent vinous vermouth sourness, grape pulp mustiness, mild orange bittering, and rose’ wine illumination as strong soda-fizzed cherry essence receives oaken cask-aged seduction.

Moderate-bodied spice-hopped Irish-styled amber ale layers red apple, pear, and orange fruiting above peat malts. Tea-like midst adds some depth.

Elegant orange-ambered red ale bequeaths taut butterscotch-caramel sweetness to off-dry barley roast and chaffed wheat astringency for delightful medium body.

Mellow fruited grain succinctness provides gentle effervescence for black cherry-scented ale. Rich barleywine pleasantries and sour citrus subtleties add to delicate sweetness, but incomplete roasted mocha malt bite lessens its finish. Brewery defunct: 2007.

Hesitant ruby red medium body matches black malt cinch, charred grain upsurge, lemon curd intrigue, and crisp water flow to Red Ale-like ambrosial hop essence. Lively on the tongue though a tad weak flavorwise considering Irish-styled labeling.

Soured orange frontage and herbaceous undercurrent stricken by raw-honeyed hop-charred bitterness deepening abundant dry citric finish.