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.

Fantastic Irish-styled pure malt ale is thicker, creamier, and cloudier than nearly all its Great White North competition. Caramelized molasses richness retains blood-thick yeast sinew, milk chocolate sweetness, and idyllic sour mocha bitterness, settling to resplendent maple sugar finish. Citric hop scurry relegated to backdrop. Moderate mocha warmth comparable to excellent Mc Ewan’s or Mac Andrew’s Scotch Ales.

Nearly unscented, brownish so-called ‘Legacy’ has cheerful red ale nuances (peppy hops, roasted malts, cracked wheat) countering minor sour fruiting. But second-rate finish lacks fortitude. Brewery defunct: 2002.

Stirring rocky tan-headed amber-hued dazzler plies sugary spruce overtones to resounding orange-grapefruit-pineapple-nectarine tang countering pine needled spice-hopped bittering. Dry rye and buttery almond jot crisp cracked wheat base of savory moderation.

Flimsy pearly-headed straw-hued light body remains astringent and lacks grit. Earthen pale malt sterility, minor citric candied tartness, slight vanilla-banana wisp, and barren herbaceous mist deride arid floral hop spicing.

Complex dry Irish-styled red ale musters busy bock-like chocolate-y raisin impulse atop woody hop bittering and high-spirited carbonation. Berry notes dot heavily grained malt finish.