Day 77, Mar 18 / Dundee Irish Red Lager

Day 77 / March 18, 2011

Dundee Irish Red Lager

Dundee Brewing Co.  /  Rochester, NY

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A simple red lager lager, decent taste, nothing special.

The label features an illustration of a man painting a sheep red, which apparently is a custom in Ireland, so that farmers can more easily find their sheep.

Did you know… the Dundee Brewing Company is part of the Genesse Brewing Company in Rochester, NY?  They produce 7 different beers and ales plus 4 rotating seasonal brews.

Day 76, March 17 / Rogue Irish Lager

Day 76 / March 17, 2011

Rogue Irish Lager

Rogue Brewery  /  Newport, OR

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Happy Belated Saint Patrick’s Day!  Yes, I know, I haven’t posted in a few days, I’ve been a little busy.  But rest assured, I have been drinking my beer a day.

So I’m catching up tonight with a few quick posts.

In 1998 Rogue Brewmaster John Maier created an Irish style lager that would float Guinness.  It took four batches to get it just right. I found this to be a very enjoyable beer, with a mild amount of hops and a clean crisp taste.

I drank this beer while I was making these Sweet and Spicy Nuts  for a party.  I added some cashews to the mix too.

Day 75, Mar 16 / Saranac Irish Red Ale

Day 75 / March 16, 2011

Saranac Irish Red Ale

Saranac / FX Matt Brewing Company, Utica NY

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Quick review – had one tonight at home around 10pm.  This was a good, drinkable red ale, would probably be good on a hot summer day.  Medium red color, not too malty, not too hoppy.  On a scale of 1 to 10, let’s call it 2-3 notches above a Killian’s Red (which I haven’t had in several years).

But don’t take my word for it – see what Nick and Fred have to say about it.

Day 74, Mar 15 / Smithwick's Irish Ale

Day 74 / March 15, 2011

Smithwick's Irish Ale

Smithwick's Brewery / Irish Ale Breweries Ltd , Kilkenny, Ireland

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Won’t get fooled again! 

After 2 nights of drinking what I mistakenly thought to be authentic Irish beers (i.e. brewed in Ireland), I was determined to get a truly Irish brewed beer last night.  So I went with a friend to Ri Ra Irish Pub in Bethesda, MD, and informed the bartender of my quest.  Much to my dismay, he told me that all of the “Irish” beers on tap there were actually brewed in Canada – Harp, Guinness, Smithwick’s and Kilkenny (previously tasted).

So I resigned myself to yet another Irish knockoff, and ordered up a Smithwick’s (and if you’ve ever ordered one, you know the proper pronunciation is “Smiddick’s”).  I’ve had many a Smithwick’s in my day – it’s generally my beer of choice in Irish pubs.  And this was as enjoyable as the others – a deep amber color, slightly malty, slightly malty taste, no real distinct hops smell or taste.  A good beer to have if you’re having more than one.

I also enjoyed a Black & Tan with (Canadian) Harp & Guinness.  Get this – at Ri Ra, Black & Tans are $4 all month long, but a pint of Harp or Guinness by themselves will cost you $6.

This morning, I had a feeling that maybe, just maybe, the Ri Ra bartender didn’t know entirely what he was talking about.  After all, I had previously reviewed Kilkenny, and my research told me that it was, indeed, only brewed in Ireland.  By who?  The Smithwick’s Brewery, since 1710.  And sure enough, Smithwick’s is also only brewed in Ireland!  Mission accomplished!  However, Smithwick’s and Guinness are now both owned by beverage giant Diageo.

Day 73, Mar 14 / Wexford Irish Style Crème Ale

Day 73 / March 14, 2011

Wexford Irish Style Crème Ale

Greene King Brewing Company / Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk UK

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Curses!  Foiled again!

I blame myself!  I should have checked the label more clearly, but it was an “Irish Style” beer, it did come with a pressurized widget in the can like a Guinness, and the can was a nice shade of green.

But more so, I blame Total Wine (and More)!  There it was, sitting on the shelf with all the other Irish beers, including the Canadian Harp I had last night.  Maybe I’ll rearrange their shelves next time I go in there.

I could find out very little about Wexford on the web, even on the brewery’s website.  Wexford is made by the Greene King Brewing Company in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk UK, which is on the western side of the UK, about as far away from Ireland as you can get (while you’re still in the UK).  Greene King also produces a couple beers you may have heard of – Old Speckled Hen and Abbott Ale.

I was expecting something maybe like a Boddington’s or a Kilkenny.  It had the same consistency and texture, thanks to the widget, and looked very good in the glass.  The creamy head settled nicely.  The taste was OK, but not as good as either of those two beers.  It has a smooth taste, slightly malty, overall decent taste, but nothing too special.  My advice – if you like this type of beer, stick to Boddington’s.