Casco Bay Brewing Company - Katahdin Red Ale

Katahdin Red Ale is brewed with a combination of two-row pale, munich, caramunich, special-B and chocolate malts. The darker malts, which are imported from Belgium, give this ale its distinctive deep red color and rich, malty flavor. Casco uses a top fermenting ale yeast and conditions this ale like a lager (longer than usual) to produce an ale that is very clean, crisp and complex. This tasty red ale is hopped with cluster, cascade and crystal hops. Look for a big malty hop nose with hop spice evident as well in this full-bodied deep reddish ale. The body is packed with flavor, balanced wonderfully and quite complex. Note a lingering sweet malty finish. Overall, one of the best red ales produced in the U.S. today. We loved it. The brewery suggests pairing it up with beef, spicy foods and inclement weather!

Located in Portland, Maine, Casco Bay Brewing was born on the coast of Maine in 1994 by two guys who know a thing or two about brewing great beer. Mike La Charite and Bob Wade, the owners of Casco Bay Brewing, are both well-regarded home brewers and have served as judges at competitions such as the Great American Beer Festival.

Mike, who serves as President and Head Brewer, is an award winning homebrewer, Certified National Beer Judge, homebrew instructor and founder of the largest homebrew club in Maine, the Maine Ale and Lager Tasters (M.A.L.T.). Michael is also a graduate of the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology in Chicago, which is also known as the U.S. Brewers Academy.

Mike and Bob are two guys who believe in staying close to their roots. Each year they take everyone who helps out at the brewery up to Mt. Katahdin for a few days of hiking, white water rafting, and of course, beer drinking. For those of you who think that working at Casco Bay sounds like a dream job, get in line! We've already applied ourselves!

Casco produces one of the best Irish Red Ales we've had the pleasure of evaluating. Very few examples of this style are available today although "red" beers have always been popular with U.S. micros. A great number of years ago, when the Irish discovered their love for beer, we'll say, right around the beginning of time, several breweries bought their grains from maltsters that were making specialty malts which had been roasted to create deep, dark colored malts. When beer was made from these malts it gave the beers a ruddy, reddish hue and hence the name. Our panel also rated the breweries pilsner very high and we're quite confident you'll love both! Enjoy!

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (207) 797-2020 or check out their web site at www.cascobaybrewing.com.