Ruby’s Red

Ruby’s Red by Garage Brewing Co. is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 15A – Irish Red Ale.

A beautiful, brilliantly clear mahogany beer fills my glass while a thick, creamy and somewhat bubbly light beige head patiently sits atop, lasting several minutes. Rich toasted bread crust and caramel malt emerges from the thick head and is the dominant aroma in each subsequent sniff, big and small. My first taste is exactly as the beer smells and is accompanied by light malt sweetness and a soft, restrained hop bitterness that keeps the beer from being sweet.

Throughout my entire evaluation a small quantity of tiny bubbles rises through the beer, nucleating off the glass’ bottom imperfections. Revisiting the aroma, the moderate malt character persists, and a light woody hop character hides beneath the clean aroma. This beer finishes dry with light spicy hops taking a backseat to the rich, moderate toasted malt flavor. The body is medium-light and carbonation medium, with no creaminess, astringency or warmth. A slight carbonic bite persists in the mouthfeel.

Overall, this is a well-made Irish red ale that exemplifies the style very well without any technical or stylistic improvements needed. Bring me some game meat and rustic potatoes to go alongside this beverage!