Odd Side "Paddy's Red" Irish Red Ale

This is my first beer from Odd Side, so I hope it goes well. I already have two more beers from them sitting in my fridge waiting to be reviewed. It would be a shame if this were a stinker, and then I had to slog through the next two with the memory of a horrific beer in my mind and an unjustifiable malignancy towards them as a result.

I expected the beer to be more red than it is amber, and the can claims that this is copper. I hate to disagree with them, but this is an pretty dingy copper. The dirty white head fizzles down to a smattering of bubbles that don't completely cover the top of the beer, but they do leave some lacing in their wake. The aroma is spice and chestnuts with caramel oozing its way into my nostrils. The aroma isn't as bashful as most Irish reds I've encountered, and it seems the better for it.

First sip is thicker and more complex than most Irish ales, and I am here for it. The caramel mixes with toffee and is a lighted with spices to give a nice, big kiss right on my tonsils. The finish is a bit dry with smoke, earth, and coffee unexpectedly coming up to seal the deal on what is a very good sipping beer. Mind you, I got called away momentarily, so warmth got into this beer, and it may very well be to its benefit.

Tip-in is caramel and spices with mild carbonation sizzle. The middle is caramel and toffee and a void in the mouth with spices on the outside and a light floral winking while carbonation sizzles at the top of the mouth. The finish becomes dry with wood, light smoke, earth, and just a hint of coffee to lead into the trail off.

Bottom Line: Possibly the best red ale I recall ever having.

4.25/5