G'Knight Imperial Red Ale

Tasted thanksgiving evening after a delicious meal complete with Organic Shepherd's Pie and numerous other awesome dishes. This can had survive the move of the family home from Glenview to The historic district, just a block from the down town.

Appearance: Large cream yellow colored head with a large bubble consistency. Retention is very strong, complete with peaks and Styrofoam lacing caressing the sides. Carbonation is almost non-existent among a rubied copper color. Clarity isn't partial but still an 8/10.

Aroma: Caramel is optimal at the forefront of the scent. Some young beer smell that resembles the actual wort, but there still remains a rather fresh earthy aroma. Very grainy. Nevertheless I find rich dark fruity undertones reminiscent of sugar glaze and fruit cobblers.

Taste: Sweet and robustly carameled. Right up front there is a tang that comes from the hops and malt that in combination create a very fruity and dark roasted plum and raisin. The finish has a a tartened bite at the very end that really makes the beer. The balance between grainy malt and hop fruit dryness is tremendously complex. Faith notes of pine too, driven from the hops. Biscuit and fruity esters develop an immense part in this beer as it warms. Huge flavor. Some burn at the end in the back of the throat.
Mouthfeel: Tacky feel and a big creamy body to match the alcohol. Carbonation is certainly on the higher side of my expectations for an imperial beer. The second, older can I tried was the opposite.... Slight slick and oily feel about this beer.
Overall Impression: This beer maintained all the characteristics of the style, plus some. The rich caramel and biscuit malt base paired with fruity esters and hop profile.


91/100