McGuires Irish Red Ale

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Although the caramel flavor is very attractive in this beer, the combination of flavor attributes this beer brings to the table, set it apart. The draft version has a smoothness that is very pleasant, but has a strong flavor with no noticeable aftertaste. On draft is my favorite version of this beer, as the bottled version seems to have a slight "bite" to it. That has not stopped me from keeping it around for regular consumption.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

When in Destin or Pensacola Mcguires is a must stop, this beer is red in color, smooth and is most like Killians than any other irish red. It is enjoyable. It is brewed on site so it is always fresh.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 9

A must-have when in the Destin, FL area. This beer is simply fabulous and no wonder it's their most popular. Excellent drinkability. Incredibly smooth and a sensory masterpiece.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

They really talked this one up while on my expedition to McGuires in Destin and this one is the Flagship beer of the McGuire's fleet. Aroma is sweet and maltywith caramel overtones as well as some brown sugar to some extent. Appearance is a rich, copper red in color with a medium head on top that is white in color and diminishes to a nice and pleasant lacing on the glass. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with smoky malt complexity and decent balance with a palate that is rish and very good. Flavor is of sweet malt but not cloying with some caramel, light hops, and an aftertaste that is clean and tasty. Overall, better than Killian's and a great stable to go to while in the panhandle of Florida.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Poured a golden color, not a lot of red, perhaps some amber. The lacing yielded throughout was fantastic. Flavor was full of caramel, somewhat sweet, with light toffee. By mid glass, this one turned a little more bitter (v. welcomed too), even picking up a rye type flavor. Hops finished with a zing, slightly bitter. Mouthfeel was heavy for the style, moderate overall. This one is up there with the Iron Hill and Smithwick's Irish ales.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

The flagship beer, and one that makes even a hop-head like myself sit and take notice. This, for those of you who only read the Cliff Notes of books and plays, is A Very Nice Beer. For folks who read a book before submitting a book-report, however..., please read on.

Nice smooth malt character, with an interesting array of specialty grains and hops (the beer write-up at the brewpub mentions Northern Brewer and Hallertau - after name-dropping Fred Eckhardt and Michael Jackson, naturally!). This is a bit browner than many "Reds" (a style that isn't a style, IMO), and thus is not as cloyingly sweet as many of it's brethren. Lots of Crystal (a.k.a. caramel) malt adds lots of reddish tones to the beer, but too much makes it sweet and unappealing. McGuire's Irish Red does a good job here, with enough Crystal for character and color, but with enough base-malt to give it body and stamina, too.

Also available in six-packs, which, if I remember correctly, are bottled somewhere away from Pensacola (Kentucky, I want to say...?). So if you want the Real Deal, draft is where it's at for a fresh sample of this Pensacola staple. Maybe not the very best example of this quasi- style, but still fairly enjoyable and satisfying.
//TB