Gray Stone Red Ale

On Boxing Day, 2016, I made my first stop at Gray Stone Brewing, a cozy new beersmith in downtown Fredericton, NB. Gray Stone sells their beer in "crowlers", 946mL oil drum cans that are equivalent to almost three bottles of beer. If you're lucky, you can even see them fill the crowlers right before your eyes. In many respects, this format is vastly more efficient than growlers, since the cans are properly sealed and will last much longer than the cap on an average commercial growler.

Anyhow, I picked up a handful of beers in this format. One of which, Gray Stone Red Ale, was recommended to me by the pleasant lad working behind the bar. At 4.5% and 25 IBUs, a little of this little red won't get you pickled (or at least it won't get me pickled), but its got some flavour to it. The beer was clear and copper, with a fairly thin foam of eggshell head. Its aroma was malt-driven, bready, and caramel encrusted. The flavour headed in a similar direction, with a malt focus and some gentle caramel notes. There was a tinge of floral hops waiting in the wings to close the curtain on this beer, though not enough to hold my attention for long.

For its weight in alcohol, Gray Stone Red had some heft to it. However, it should be said that it'd have been a stronger competitor with a bit more oomph and a corresponding increase in mouthfeel and finish. Still, it was a good introduction to a new brewery, and more than good enough to ensure I'll be back.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10.