Fox Hat aka Vale (vale ale) have brought out an Indian Red Ale (IPA) and Mismatch have brought out their Red IPA. Fox Hat’s pours a dark orangey colour with strong malty flavour at the front of the palate. It has some reasonable hoppy bitterness at the back of the throat. It’s got a very Coopers pale look, sediment wise, to it and quite strong alcohol wise at 7.8%. Overall quite smooth and malty with a generous alcohol kick. Then we have Mismatch’s offering. A grungy dirty in your face Red IPA that I really like a lot! It pours a really dark brooding red packed with attitude. Nice hit of malt at the front with a well disciplined use of hops getting the bitterness at the back of the throat near perfect. The cracker though is its alcohol percentage is, wait for it, 6.66%!!! I know right. Vale were truly pioneers of craft with their classic Vale Ale and their Red Pelt is excellent however for me Mismatch gets the win with this one. Both are excellent and would happily drink both again bit Mismatch’s is awesome!