I went to a friend's house for a housecooling party - they're moving. I was offered a beer by the home's soon-to-be ex-owner. The beer was one of his home brews - a Celtic Red Ale.
It's debatable whether or not Irish reds are a true style or the same as English keg bitter. However, the style has developed and is generally accepted enough to stand on its own.
Irish reds are traditionally sessionable - no more than 5% ABV. They get their name from their deep ruby color. They are typically medium bodied, somewhat sweet and malty with moderate bitterness.
So how does Mike's Celtic Red meet with the accepted standard?
The glassware was all safely packed away in boxes so I gently poured the beer into the offered green plastic cup.
It poured a deep reddish brown with a dense foamy head that floated the bottle cap quite nicely. The head had excellent retention.
The brew was unfiltered and bottle conditioned so it was quite hazy. Not a problem for me.
It was hard to get aroma through all that floof but what I got was malty, some caramel and yeast.
The taste was very malty and somewhat sweet. There was very little bitterness and good dose of yeast.
The mouthfeel was medium with above average carbonation.
Mike's Celtic Red certainly met the basic standard for the style. I liked it.
Overall a good tasty home brew.
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