The Aussie Guide to Red Ale: A Tale of Flavour, History, and the Best Local Brews
If you’re a beer enthusiast looking for a hearty brew with a well-rounded flavour, then the Red Ale is your next stop. This beer style offers a beautiful balance of maltiness and hop character that sings to the tune of modern brewing. It is both unique in its delivery and traditionally anchored. Australia has an impressive array of Red Ales, made by breweries who have fully embraced this style’s rich character.
A Bit of History: The Red Ale Story
Red Ale origin hails from Europe, with Ireland taking the credits for the well known Irish Red Ale. This rich and hearty beer’s popularity has a lot to do with an Irish brewery, Smithwick’s, that took it upon itself to promulgate this beer style around the world. English brewers had their take on this style too, leading to subtle variances in the beer.
The brewing technique and ingredients travelled with Irish and English immigrants across the globe, landing on Australian shores. The local breweries, known for their knack of embracing global beer styles, tweaked it to cater to the Australian palate.
The Brewing Process: Ale’s Signature Top Fermentation
Red Ale, for all its caramel and toffee notes, is still very much an ale. It uses a top-fermenting yeast, which changes the overall experience of the resulting brew. This technique contributes to a fuller-bodied beer, replete with robust flavours. Organic compounds known as esters, produced during top fermentation, lend the beer its unique fruit and spice notes, rounding up its multidimensional profile.
The Heart of Red Ale: Malt, Hops, Yeast, and Water
The Red Ale owes its signature colour and flavour to the malt. Malt is usually toasted or roasted to a point where it attains dark, caramel hues and flavours while skipping the charred bitterness. Hops play the balancing role, bringing in a touch of bitterness to offset the sweetness of the malt. Yeast, as discussed, contributes to the beer’s unique fruity and spicy complexity. And ultimately, the quality and treatment of water also play a key role in the final quality of the brew.
Global Influence: An Australian Twist to Red Ale
Australian brewers took the Red Ale style and made it their own, using local ingredients and adjusting the bitterness levels. While adhering to the fundamental aspects of the brew, they have made Red Ale a staple in brewpubs across the nation and a popular choice at Australian breweries.
Type 1: Irish Red Ale
Originating from Ireland, this beer leans on the maltier, caramel side. Expect flavours of toffee and slight hints of roasted grains. It has a beautiful deep red hue and a clean, crisp, and moderately dry finish.
Type 2: American Red Ale
American Red Ales have a stronger bitterness than their Irish counterparts, and are higher in alcohol content. These beers can range from amber to deep red-brown in colour and usually offer a slightly piney or citrusy aroma, thanks to the American hop varieties used.
Type 3: Australian Red Ale
Australian Red Ales, while adhering to the red ale core characteristic of offering a balanced malt and hop profile, often provide a stronger punch of flavours. These beers benefit from local hop varieties, introducing unique aromatic and flavour elements, and are best savoured in beer tasting sessions.
Notable Australian Red Ale Examples
- Two Birds Sunset Ale: An award-winning Australian Red Ale showcasing toffee and biscuit flavours that perfectly balance the included hops.
- Prancing Pony India Red Ale: This beer is a hop-packed powerhouse, featuring citrus and pine notes and an appetising bitterness that complements its toasted malt background.
Conclusion: The Endearing Red Ale
Red Ale style has its unique place in the global and Australian beer scene. With its balance of maltiness and hops, its characteristic top-fermentation flavours, and its beautiful range of colours, it satisfies every beer lover’s desire for a well-rounded drink. So, head down to a local brewery, grab a pint, and experience first-hand what makes Red Ale a perennial favourite.
