Rebellious Red Head

Rebellious Red Head by Low Road Brewing is being judged according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 15A, Irish Red Ale.

I am presented a bold, dark brown ale with dark garnet highlights and a huge, thick and creamy, bubbly beige head. Medium-high warm toasted bread malt with caramel notes and faint chocolate malt character appear later on. Light woody and earthy hops round out the rich nose. Waiting no longer, I take my first full quaff and enjoy the rich toasted bread malt, propped up with the complexity from caramel and roasted chocolate malt.

The head slowly recedes, leaving behind sticky and thick lacing as I continue evaluating this rich, malty sample. No further aromas emerge, though the woody hops increase in intensity. The beer is squarely malt focused, but a light hop bitterness cuts through the residual malt sweetness and helps to present a dry finish. Carbonation is medium, though somewhat prickly, alongside a dry toasty malt finish and medium body.

This beer stands tall by itself and represents the style remarkably well. This would pair well with a warm meal of bangers and mash.