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BJCP 2021 / 15A

Irish Red Ale

An easy amber ale where toffee malt meets a subtly dry roasted finish.

  • Drink fresh
  • standard strength
  • amber color
  • top fermented
  • british isles

Serve: 46 to 52F, Pint

OG1.120
1.036 to 1.046
FG1.030
1.010 to 1.014
IBU120
18 to 28
SRM40
9 to 14
ABV14%
3.8 to 5.0%

Taste it in order

Aroma

12 pts
  • Toffee and light toast
  • Faint buttery or fruit hint
  • Low earthy hop
Vague
Malty
Better
Toffee and light toast
Best
Low toffee and toasted malt aroma, faint earthy hop, clean ale yeast

Appearance

3 pts
  • Amber to copper-red
  • Clear
  • Off-white head
Vague
Red
Better
Copper-red and clear
Best
Amber to deep copper-red, clear, off-white head with moderate retention

Flavor

20 pts
  • Toffee and light toast with a touch of roast at the end
  • Gentle bitterness
  • Dry finish with a slight roasted edge
Vague
Malty
Better
Toffee and toast with a dry finish
Best
Low to moderate toffee and toast malt, a trace of roasted dryness in the finish, low bitterness, medium-dry finish

Mouthfeel

5 pts
  • Medium-light to medium body
  • Medium carbonation
  • Smooth
Vague
Smooth
Better
Medium-light and smooth
Best
Medium-light to medium body, smooth, medium carbonation

Overall Impression

10 pts

Lifts it

  • Subtlety
  • Drinkability

Drops it

  • Sweetness
  • Strong roast
  • Heavy hop

Writing tip

Keep notes about subtlety. Example: 'Toffee malt, faint dry roast, easy finish. Clean and drinkable.'

Pour these

  • Smithwick's Irish AleSmithwick'sToffee malt and a smooth finish
  • Murphy's Irish RedMurphy'sSoft caramel, easy drinking
  • Conways Irish AleGreat Lakes BrewingA clean US interpretation

Often confused with

Fine here

  • Diacetyl: A faint buttery note is traditional

Ruinous here

  • Astringent: Harsh roast grip
  • Oxidized: Stale

Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.