The @beercartel Advent Calendar keeps on giving for me, with the collaboration beer with @nomadbrewingco Red Nose Reindeer Red IPA. While it’s a perfectly named Christmas beer, it’s this time of year when I really get stuck into red IPA’s. I still feel like hops, but the weather dictates a malt presence, without too much roastiness or sweetness. There’s a straightforwardness to this beer (which is no criticism), meaning it would have been just as enjoyable on a warm Christmas Eve as it was on a late autumn night.
Can. Pours deep, deep red with a big, well retained off white frothy head and heavy lacing. Delicious pine notes and caramel malt with just a hint of spice. Quite bitter pine hops up front, which moves into sweetish caramel malt, pepper and spice, with a long bitter finish.
3.7/5. Trent