Steamworks Brewing Co. – Imperial Red Ale

Steamworks Imperial Red Ale Review

Rating

4 out of 5
Aroma
3.9 out of 5
Appearance
4 out of 5
Taste
4.2 out of 5
Palate

Total

4
4 out of 5

Overview

  • Brewery: Steamworks Brewing Co.
  • Beer Style: Imperial Red Ale, Red Ale
  • Pros:

    Complex and delicious with great balance

  • Cons:

    Rather strong for a Red Ale but it is imperial after all

  • Conclusion:

    Big-bodied imperial red ale with a real flavour kick

Steamworks Imperial Red Ale Review

Steamworks Brewing Co. – Imperial Red Ale Review

Steamworks has been on the slow and steady route when it comes to beer releases from their new, expanded brewery. With this limited release mentality we can be sure that only the best will make it to the shelves of craft retailers. This imperial red is a red-copper colour with a finger and a half of head. As the head settles it leaves a gargantuan amount of lacing on the sides of the glass. Through the settling head comes notes of a northwest style hop, caramel, rye and a touch of tropical fruit. The taste has big body with a thick texture. The flavour is strong with a solid piney hop right off the bat with rye spice pulling up along side. A mid-sweetness builds up to the middle with toasted notes and the lightest of tropical fruit coming into play. The sweetness pairs well with the high 75 IBU and 8.5% alcohol. This trio is greater than the sum of its parts making for a smooth, deep and complex beer. The Alcohol and ABV may be a little high for some but they probably shouldn’t have bought an imperial Red in the first place. This is a delicious beer and Steamworks is bang on yet again with this winter release.

Alcohol – 8.5%
IBU – 75
Size – 650ml
Price – $7.45 (Craft Retailer)
steamworks.com

Steamworks Imperial Red Ale Review
Steamworks Imperial Red Ale Review

About Author

Dustan Sept

Dustan Sept is the founder of Beer Me BC. His passion for craft beer drove the creation of beermebc.com in 2012. To learn more about the beermebc.com editorial team visit beermebc.com/the-beer-me-bc-team/.

Comments

  1. Ryan
    Ryan 10 March, 2014, 14:31

    One of my favourite beers this year hands down, great review

    Reply this comment
  2. Beer Me BC | Steamworks and Brassneck Breweries Brewmasters Collaboration Beer Dinner 13 March, 2014, 18:51

    […] on the list for the evening was Caolan’s first recipe with Steamworks, the Imperial Red Ale. This was served with Wild Boar Belly  along side ancient grains, blood orange gastrique, pink […]

    Reply this comment
  3. Vancouver Craft Beer Week Kicks Off With Awards Gala | Beer Me British Columbia 30 May, 2015, 10:49

    […] The big addition and draw for this year’s event was the addition of Vancouver Magazine’s innaugural Craft Beer Awards. The event lined up with the release of the June issue of Vancouver Magazine where 43 beers were offered accolades across 15 categories of beers. While you can find the full list of winners at the bottom of this article the coveted Best In Show award was given to Steamworks Brewing Company for their ever-popular Imperial Red Ale. […]

    Reply this comment
  4. Steamworks and Brassneck Breweries Brewmasters Collaboration Beer Dinner | Beer Me British Columbia 21 September, 2015, 12:11

    […] on the list for the evening was Caolan’s first recipe with Steamworks, the Imperial Red Ale. This was served with Wild Boar Belly  along side ancient grains, blood orange gastrique, pink […]

    Reply this comment

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