Rickard's Red IPA

As I'm sure I have mentioned before, one of my favourite traditions involves the purchase of beer for the folks that help you move. One of my dearest friends needed help moving a sofa, and while I did it because I love him and would do anything for him, I also expected ale in recompense. My pal lived up to his end of the bargain in spades, and one of the brews I received as part of the exchange was one I'd not yet reviewed: Rickard's Red IPA.

Rickard's is a craft beer label belonging to macro brewing giant Molson Coors. Its Red IPA is a 5.7% alcohol grog sold in 473mL cans. It's a pleasant looking tawny red ale that pours clear, with a blanket of eggshell head. 

Brewed in a variety of cities across Canada, the Red IPA had an evergreen hops nose, backed by caramel malts. Its flavour was coppery, initially, with roasted malt notes. Behind that came a wellspring of hops of the woodland variety.

Rickard's has long been a beer that I consume in the absence of something more palatable and locally-brewed. Specifically, their Red Ale is an agreeably forgettable potion that inhabits sports bars and chain restaurants, serving their role when there are no micro alternatives available. True to form, but slightly more interesting, Rickard's Red IPA is is a relatively low octane version of a red India that could do in a pinch. It should be said that this ale is head and shoulders above Rickard's' other offerings, but also a weaker brew than the average craft red I. For a macro brew, this stuff is solid and enjoyable, but compared with the unrestrained hops blast and heady percentage of a micro take on the style, it doesn't fare as well. However, if faced with this stuff in a sports bar with a limited selection and where I intended to watch a big game, I'd select it without a second thought.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10.

Sleeman's Original Draught

Since I've been writing this blog, I haven't had occasion to review many mass-produced domestic lagers.  This is not intentional--I fully intend to write about the entire spectrum of beers (except light beer of course).  It's just that there are so many diverse and interesting beers out there.  It's hard to bring myself to order a pint of a Canadian marcrobrew or lug home a six-pack of some generic suds I've been getting since I was in high school.  However, there's a place on this blog for all beers.  To that end, I recently purchased a mug of Sleeman's Original Draught. 

In the world of Canadian macro lagers, SOD is near the top of the class.  It is sold on tap in many bars, as well as in Sleeman's distinctive and attractive embossed clear bottles.  Sleeman's does a couple of beers that are better that this one.  It contains the standard 5% alcohol and has the standard pale gold colour.  It pours to little head and moderate lace, both of which recede quickly.  There is substantial carbonation.  There is a faint aroma of corn and bread.  There flavour is pretty good, but contains no surprises.  The taste travels from mildly sweet to mildly bitter.  Along the way, there are notes of corn and slight hoppiness.

SOD is extremely drinkable, but not remotely innovative.  Compared to other mass-produced Canadian lagers, it's pretty solid, though compared to a nice small-batch lager, it comes up short.  It's a good beer for watching a football game or bringing to a party--you get a dose of alcohol in an inoffensive format.  Plus, if one of your buddies swipes one, it's no big deal.

Rating:  6.5 out of 10.