The first time I tasted red ales was during a trip through Western Canada quite a few years ago. I remember really enjoying the balance of the rich malty body with nice hop bitterness. It seemed to provide the best of both worlds in one mouthful.
When I saw De Molen had made a Red Ale, I had to order some to put into one of our beer club packs. It is the first one I’d seen from them in several years of ordering their beer.
Stad & Land pours quite a clear amber colour, and the fruity aroma is immediately evident. Grapefruit, apricot and pine meld with a somewhat grassy, herbal character.
Fruit sweetness supplements the caramel malt body to give a slight marmalade touch to the flavour. The hopping gives a nice level of sustained bitterness, with an earthy and woody flavour.
The beer dries out on the finish, making it very moreish. A lovely beer for a summer afternoon refreshment.