Maker: Milking It Productions, Royal Oak, Michigan
Style: Irish Red Ale
ABV: ???
Appearance: Big frothy head. The color lives up to its name, deep brick red, slightly cloudy.
Nose: toasty malt, with robust sweetness.
On the palate: Malty and bitter, exquisitely balanced by a rich sweetness.
Finish: delicate sweetness with a pleasant lingering bitterness.
Parting Words: I was skeptical of trying this beer when I saw it in the grocery store. Like many, when I see the words “Irish Red” on a bottle my mind jumps to Killian’s, the allegedly Irish Red beer produced by that great old Irish brewery Coor’s and which was often sold at import prices by the proprietors of Neighborhood restaurants. I now publically apologize to Milking It Productions or my lack of faith. This is a beefy, complex but balanced ale. It is big enough to have with a meal and subtle enough to drink on its own. Or is it the other way around? At any rate, Brik is highly recommended. The fact that it comes in pint cans is a nice bonus.
Many people have the same negative impression of Irish Reds (from Killian’s), but there are many good ones out there too, and it sounds like you found one. Nice review, I will need to give it a try!
You won’t be disappointed! All of MIP’s stuff is great. They make the Rochester Mills IPA too.
And I consider myself a changed man regarding Irish reds.