Very happy to stumble across this brew in
The Harlequin on Nursery Street. I`d heard that Steel City
Steel City Brewing were not going to be making ale very often now (one of the brewers has emigrated to Wales, I believe) so I was pleasantly surprised to see this on the bar in one of my favourite establishments on a Monday afternoon.
Although Steel City have been one of my preferred brewers over the last couple of years, I didn`t sample this IPA until last in a short session(going with less ABV offerings first) as I feared that it might blow away my taste buds for a fair bit. Also Rum and Raisin didn`t really appeal to me but I always like to try Steel City`s `leftfield` delights. You don`t see them about too often although Shakespeare`s and Rutland are occasionally lucky enough to stock them as is bottom Welly (though never seen them there).
I`d never really had a Red IPA and this one was memorable. At 5.8%, I opted for just a half as it was a Monday afternoon after all but I went back for more! A really well balanced brew in my opinion that I understand was cuckoo brewed in Staveley with the
Raw team. A real treat! yum! (Also had this ale at the Derby Winter festival at the Roundhouse and it was still a belter served at gravity).
Mike`s Score - 9 (I want more, now!)
Danny`s Score - 8
