Maker: Griffin Claw, Birmingham, Michigan, USA
Style: Red ale
ABV: 6.5%
Price: $8/4 pint cans (Holiday Market)
Nose: Roasted malt, caramel, dried fig.
Palate: Medium bodied and semi-sweet. Toasty on the back end.
Finish: Toasty and slightly bittEl Rojo Red Aleer, with a little sweetness for balance.
Parting words: Griffin Claw is a relatively new (2013) brewery in metro Detroit. Dan Rogers, seasoned craft beer veteran, is the master brewer. They have a limited portfolio but all of it is good. Their Raggedy Ass IPA is probably their best known beer, but they also make Screamin’ Pumpkin Ale, Grind Line Pale, Grand Trunk Pilsner and El Rojo.
Griffin Claw’s website says that they’ve entered El Rojo into contests as an English-style brown ale and I can see why. It’s closer to that style in flavor than it is to what I expect in something called a red ale. Whatever one calls it, it’s good. Pairs well with food. I’m not sure what the story behind the bandito caricature is though. Anyway, El Rojo is recommended.
Sipology 