Irish Goodbye

Irish Goodbye by Peticolas Brewing Co. was judged as a 2021 BJCP Mixed-Style Beer (34B) based on Irish Red Ale (15A), effectively an Imperial Irish Red Ale.

The aroma is moderately malty and bready with caramel notes. No distinguishable hop or yeast aromas are detectable. The color is medium copper with rich red tones. A reasonable tan head sits on top and persists across the surface.

The flavor has a mild nuttiness, possibly from alcohol, and moderate caramel character that provides some toffee qualities in the malt component. Hops are expressed as a restrained bitterness with a light floral and earthy note. The finish has lingering caramel notes with a touch of roast character.

This beer has a medium body with moderate carbonation. Overall, this is a “bold” Irish Red Ale, really an Imperial Irish Red Ale, with a fairly pronounced caramel component and hints of alcoholic strength and heightened boldness in all the traditional Irish Red Ale characteristics. This makes for a quite pleasant malt-forward beer that finishes a lot drier than a similar Scottish Heavy might. This beer would pair very well with wild game or other rich dark meat dishes like duck confit. It also is an excellent moderately high-strength sipping or dessert beer that avoids hop dominance in favor of a more subtle malt-forward approach.