Beer Reviews

Balanced Beer Reviews And Tasting Notes

You’ll find hundreds of craft beer reviews, but it’s always great fun to do a little tasting yourself and understand what to look for. Two beer styles are typically connected with Irish breweries: dry stouts like Guinness, and traditional red ales. If you’re a newcomer to the craft beer world, then the best place to start is with the lighter “crossover” choices like lagers, blonde ales and IPA beer reviews. These are closer to the beers that you enjoy already and bolder, hoppy beer styles can sometimes come as a heady flavour shock.

Experimenting with craft beer tasting is immense fun, but when you find you’re favouring a certain beer style, then fully investigate it. Beer reviews are a tool to help you find a great drink you thoroughly enjoy on all levels.

Light Beer Reviews

Light Beer Reviews

Light beer is still beer and is brewed in exactly the same way as all traditional beer. Technically speaking, it just means that the beer is slightly lower in calories and alcohol. This fact alone makes them extremely drinkable and deliciously moreish. They are tasty options and not the pale, bland, watery option of yesteryears.

Many of the best light beers are produced by small breweries and are available in a whole range of flavours. Generally, all light-coloured beers smell of hops and the dark beers have a malty, roasted aroma. Many light beers will also have spicy or fruity notes from their additional ingredients. Take plenty of time taking in the overall aroma and have a least three good sniffs before you’re tempted to take your first sip!

Irish Red Ales

Infamous Irish Red Ales are brewed using roasted barley and kilned malts, giving the beer its reddish hue. While they are dark and rich, they also have some components of lighter beers and are well balanced. With a crisp, dry finish, you will usually find notes of caramel, butter and toffee.

Irish Red Ales generally have a smooth, warm feel in your mouth with a dry finish, so take your time when taking that first taste. Note the sensations as the beer moves around your mouth and try to establish whether it’s bitter or sweet. Ales are robust and can have extremely complex textures and flavours with a full range of experiences in one sip. There are subtle levels of flavour which can create quite a difference between your very first sip and the finish.

Dark Beer And Stout

Dark Beer And Stout

Many craft beer breweries produce traditional styles, and some of the best of these are stout or porter styles. This range includes milk stouts, oatmeal stouts, and even nitrogenated stouts. Irish-style stouts are dark ruby or nearly black in colour, with a smooth character and rich flavour. Although the aroma is defined by roasted barley and malt, hop bitterness is medium, and many have chocolate or fruity notes.

If dry stouts are served from taps, you will experience a smooth, velvety texture and a creamy thick head. How the beer feels in your mouth physically is an important characteristic with stouts. The beer brewing method means they can range from silky smooth to thick and almost chewy. Also, note the many lingering flavours when you swallow, which can either be bitter from hops or malty sweetness. Beer reviews don’t get more intense than with classic, full-bodied stouts!