Yankee Brew News Archive

Yankee Brew Review: A Redhook Sampler

Originally Published: 02/97

By: Brett Peruzz

Yankee Brew Review

A Redhook Sampler

Beer: Redhook ESB

Brewer: Redhook Ale Brewery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Appearance: Gold-colored; moderate head retention.

Aroma: Fruity nose with a moderate dose of hops.

Taste: Rounded, fruity malt body, with toasted/caramel note; moderate hop bitterness. Hoppier toward finish.

Summary: Pleasant session ale in the American pale ale style, with elements of amber and golden ale styles as well. Not as hoppy in either aroma or taste as a typical ESB.

** (two mugs)

Beer: Redhook Ballard Bitter IPA

Brewer: Redhook Ale Brewery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Appearance: Gold-colored; low carbonation; short, off-white head.

Aroma: Strong floral hop aroma with earthy undertones.

Taste: Big hop bitterness, medium body with a touch of malt in the middle; finishes dry and hoppy.

Summary: Is it a bitter or an IPA? The label says both, but the alcoholic punch (5.8% ABV) and emphatic bitterness swings it into IPA territory. The only Redhook beer tasted that had the typical big, in-your-face West Coast flavor profile.

*** (three mugs)

Beer: Blackhook Porter

Brewer: Redhook Ale Brewery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Appearance: Dark brown; moderate head retention.

Aroma: Nice pungent/herbal hop aroma blended with dark malt richness.

Taste: Good roastiness up front but flavor fades quickly. Decent hop bitterness balances blend of dark malts; somewhat thin-bodied toward finish.

Summary: A passable porter with what appears to be a good foundation, but the whole is less than the sum of its parts. Nice flavors but they depart too quickly.

** (two mugs)

Beer: Winterhook

Brewer: Redhook Ale Brewery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Appearance: Reddish-brown; moderate head retention.

Aroma: Rich, complex, aroma, characterized by a malty sweet caramel nose.

Taste: Big, malty body; good amount of sweetness ending with a toffee note. A rich brown ale profile with plenty of heft (5.5% ABV).

Summary: An enjoyable winter offering; a subtle, chewy beer that boosts a brown ale into the holiday style, jacked up with blackstrap molasses and honey.

*** (three mugs)

Reviewed by Brett Peruzzi, Yankee Brew News Staff