Carson's Brewery - Red Dawn

Pouring a deep amber color with a beige cap of foam and some light haze, as expected for a wheat beer, Red Dawn offers up an inviting aroma profile with lots of bready and toasty wheat notes and light touches of caramel. Look also for soft floral overtones joined by hints of citrus zest and berry-like character, with some intriguing notes of herbal spice and aromatic wood. We found this brew beautifully balanced on the palate, with a touch of residual sweetness countered pleasantly by a mild-to-moderate dollop of hop bitterness that ultimately dries the beer out in the finish. Prominent floral and herbal-spice hop notes take the stage while a sturdy core of toasted biscuits lends support and satisfaction to this medium-bodied brew. Extremely tasty and complex without fireworks, this brew has taken home a Gold Medal from the 2014 Great American Beer Festival as well as a Silver from the World Beer Cup. Delicious on its own, it's also a prime pairing for barbecued meats of all kinds, as well as grilled, flavorful fish, such as salmon. A fat apple-cinnamon pork chop would be a delight, as well. Cheers!

Jason Carson's family worked in the industrial chemical business, providing him a background in science and industry. But, after tiring of selling heat transfer fluid, he needed a change of career, and brewing "seemed like a logical move!" Indeed, we agree – the world can never have enough craft beer! After bringing together a group of experienced brewing industry partners, Jason founded his brewing company in Evansville, IN in 2013. They obtained their brewing license in March of that year and began producing, but on a very small scale. With just a tiny half-barrel system to start with, they maxed out production with just ten local retail establishments selling their beer.

Things would change in September 2013 when their new brewhouse was finished. Boasting a 20-barrel system, the brewhouse had enough capacity for them to begin growing throughout several neighboring counties, and ultimately several Midwest states. Today, Carson's produces about a half-dozen "core" beers, including Git-R-Done, a cream ale released in spring 2017 which was brewed in partnership with Larry the Cable Guy, who had reached out to Carson's about helping him develop an official beer. In addition to their core beers, the brewery brews a multitude of others including various barrel-aged brews. Additionally, in late 2017, Carson's partnered with It Takes a Village Canine Rescue, a local no-kill shelter in Evansville, to produce Fur-ever Home, a light, tropical fruit ale – profits from which go to support the shelter (itvrescue.org).

For more info about the brewery and their Tap Room, call 'em up at 812-759-8229 or visit www.carsonsbrewery.com.