Want to Try Craft Beer? Try Making a Red Ale First.
Posted by Matteo Lahm on 3rd Jan 2023
If you are looking to venture into craft beers, try making a red ale. Red ale is a great transition to craft beers because it has a full-bodied flavor, but it is not too strong and doesn’t have an overly hoppy taste. It has a malty, caramel-like sweetness that you will find appealing. This sweetness helps to ease your transition from traditional beers to more flavorful craft beers. Red ales also pair well with many types of food, making them a great option for those looking to dip their toes into the craft beer world.
Red ale is a type of beer that has been popular among craft beer drinkers and home brewers for many years. While the term “red ale” can refer to a variety of styles, they all share a similar color and flavor profile. Red ales tend to be characterized by a deep, ruby red color, a malty sweetness, and a hint of hop bitterness. The color of red ale comes from the use of crystal malts or roasted malts in the brewing process. The crystal malts provide a ruby red color and also contribute a slight toffee-like sweetness. Roasted malts, such as chocolate and black malts, give red ales a slightly darker color and a toastier, nutty flavor.
Hops are also added to red ales, but the amount used is typically lower than in other types of beer. This results in a beer with a moderate hop bitterness that is balanced by the malt sweetness. In addition to their distinct color and flavor, red ales also tend to have a higher alcohol content than many other types of beer. Depending on the style, red ales can range from 4% to 7% ABV, and some higher-alcohol versions can reach 8% ABV or more. This higher alcohol content gives red ales a fuller body and a slightly warming finish.
Red ales are a great choice for beer drinkers who are looking for a balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. Their deep color and higher alcohol content make them a great choice for sipping or pairing with food. From Irish red ales to American amber ales, red ales offer beer drinkers a wide variety of flavors for you to explore. If you have been making traditional beers and want to follow the path into craft beers, red ales will guide your way.