On tap, complex, yet approachable, red ale contrasts mildewed fungi acridity, mild hop-charred bittering and vinous cider sharpness against candi-sugared orange-oiled sour malting. Red-green apple tartness and teasing grapefruit-peach hunch backend ruddy-hazed moderate-bodied ‘bitter’ possibly better defined as Flemish Sour Ale. Further sips revealed pine-combed peach, pineapple and tangerine tang.

Straightforward medium-bodied crystal-malted amber-toned red ale brings anticipated cereal grain roast and toasted caramel malting to hop-oiled buttered popcorn astringency, overriding dry orange compote tartness. Thin cracked wheat finish is washed-out. Wears out its welcome after few sips.

Well balanced copper-hazed delight with tingly hop-spiced bittering countering barley-roasted caramel malting and candied apple sweetness. By midst, cinnamon-baked apple influence overrides peach-pear-orange fruiting as well as cocoa, tea, and honeysuckle illusions.

Likable brown-sugared caramel-malted butterscotch sweetness and cotton-candied red apple follow-up reach tangy orange-tangerine theme that brightens zesty medium body. Toasted almond illusion trails peated rye spine.

Sampled from breweries in Ireland and Holland without finding severe disparity (though Heineken’s version exudes firmer body), thin eggshell-headed malt-scented blue collar fodder retains overly familiar dry barley inefficiency and barest wood tones leading to mildly soured citric finish. Needs bitterer hop spice.

Aromatic caramel-toffee sweetness disrupted by faded floral hop astringency that delicately fizzles out. Abbreviated toasted graining, muted mocha wisp, and blah orange-apple-peach tang barely inform ill-defined metallic finish.

Sweet cereal-grained marzipan-caramel confluence seduces tangy cherry-apple-orange muting of clear amber moderation. But wet-papered cardboard-like wheat backbone crumbles.

Pale, rust-hued, Band-Aid-scented ale gains bittersweet fruitiness above brown-sugared barley biscuit base. Artesian water allows for clean, crisp citric finish. Slight nutmeg-coriander spicing provides light holiday ale suggestion.

Pour slowly heavily carbonated penny-coppered medium-bodied German or risk overly foamy head. Thick grain foundation punctuated by peripheral rye restraint, floral clove jab, lemony hop tang, and chewy butterscotch finish. Sourdough yeast clumps cluster firmly entrenched earthen bottom.

Opulent five-malt ale with chewy mocha creaminess and dwindling African black honey extract boasts efficient full-bodied retention. Scruffy fizz overwhelms fruity tartness and gentle grain base as black licorice finish finds middle ground between red ale and malt liquor. Brewery defunct: 2000.

Complacent tan-headed bronze-bodied Irish-styled red ale succumbs to slick malt souring, slack grain starkness, musty maize murk, and floozy floral fling. Rusty tinniness at oily finish undermines bittersweet orange-citrus tang.

Terrific strong ale boasting 8.3% alcohol rigidity celebrates brewers’ 13th anniversary. Sweetly spiced spruce malts energize syrupy peach-nectarine zest and pine resin-y grapefruit bittering. Soil-y rye-tinged grains underscore brown sugared Baker’s chocolate splurge while candied citric tang endures to creamy finish. A fortuitously fated find.