Beer Style Guide: Get to Know Irish Red with Em Sauter
The Irish Red is a recent invention in terms of beer-style creation but is it?
I was always taught that the modern Irish red was invented by Coors Brewing Company in Golden, CO (now Molson Coors) with their invention of George Killian’s Irish Red. While Killian’s popularized Irish reds in America (fun fact, Killian’s is actually a lager), the Irish had been making this style for a while and nowadays, the Irish red is a popular staple in Ireland as well as Irish pubs throughout the world. Irish red is as Irish as Guinness. American craft brewers tend to gravitate towards this style during the late winter as a beer to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with.
According to Randy Mosher in his wonderful book Tasting Beer, the Irish had been making red beers since the Middle Ages. Breweries like Smithwick’s and Kilkenny have been making ales for centuries. Were they making the same Irish Red ales that we drink today? Probably not but they were making beers that were red so the evolution is apparent. It’s best to remember that beer is always evolving and changing; something good to keep in mind when we discuss styles.
Background of Irish Red Ale
Irish red ales have that unmistakable “Irish” flavor from the roasted barley that’s also used in Irish stouts. Brewed with pale malts and perhaps some caramel malts plus roasted barley or black malt (that’s what gives the beer its trademark color), Irish reds have a dryness to them that makes them sessionable and pleasant in all four seasons. The malt is really the star of the show here and accounts for the flavor and aroma. Characteristic flavors/aromas are grain and toast albeit many shades of toast from light to almost burnt sometimes depending on the color. The malt is the real star of this beer show. There can be some light floral hoppiness but that’s not required. Essentially think of them as a lower hopped English bitter with more dryness with sometimes a darker color.
Pairing Irish Red Ale
Irish pub fare is best with an Irish red obviously. Think shepherd’s pie, lamb stew, or even just a great toasted cheese sandwich with chips (with extra malt vinegar please!). The Irish red is great with all these foods or just on its own listening to an Irish band play a session in the pub after a long day.
Beers to Try
Great Lakes Conway’s
Cleveland-based Great Lakes makes excellent, consistent beers and their Conway’s is no exception. A little higher ABV for a less sessionable approach, this spring season is a tasty treat.
O’Hara’s Irish Red
O’Hara’s has been importing to America for a while and it’s nice to see a brewery that isn’t so old (The O’Hara’s brand has been around since 1996) on the shelves with the more heritage, centuries-old brands. O’Hara’s Irish Red is more robust than the larger brewery options and at 4.3%, is a great year-round offering.
Smithwick’s (pronounced “Smih-dicks”)
Guinness first bought Smithwick’s brewery in the 1960’s and added their red beer to their lineup. Go into any pub in Ireland owned by Guinness (and most of them are), you’ll see Smithwick’s on draft. It’s excellent with the traditional pub fare.