On the craft trail with a couple of Stouts and a Red Ale to begin. Kildare Brewing, O Brother and Left Hand.

On the craft trail with a Stout double and a Red Ale to begin. 

Kildare Brewing, O Brother and Left Hand.

Kildare Red Ale, 4% ABV, 440 ml can, Bradleys

The colour of our Kildare Red is a strikingly dark red with a soft off-white head that sinks quickly enough. Aromas are malty and there’s a malty element too as it starts in the palate. Toffee and toast are also in the background along with fruity and flowery notes from the yeast and quite a streak of acidity helps keep it nicely balanced. A really excellent classic Irish Red and quite refreshing.

“The classic beer for the modern beer lover.” That’s the description of this red ale from Kildare Brewing, the first beer I've tasted from the Sallins micro-brewery. “Store cold, drink fresh and enjoy,” is what the brewery advises. I did and it is Very Highly Recommended. And 4% ABV puts it in the session basket!

Good Food Ireland says the brewery’s Lock13 pub “serves up pub grub favourites made with local ingredients as well as a wonderful selection of craft beers made on-site by the Kildare Brewing Company”.

Must call there on my next visit to Kildare.

O Brother The Nightcrawler Milk Stout, 4.5% ABV, 440 ml can, Bradleys

Dark, rich, roasty, chocolate, and vanilla are the words on the label of this milk stout from O Brother.

I’m always a bit worried about stouts that mention chocolate and vanilla and those, like this one, that have lactose listed in the ingredients. I don't like my stout too sweet.

First things first though; it is dark, deep brown to midnight black, with a coffee-dust-coloured head that didn’t hang about for long. The expected creaminess is there and you get some of that “roasty” in the aromas. Also on the deliciously smooth palate. And the bitterness of the hops toward the finalé provides a nice bit of balance.

All this without any nitro and no sign of any excessive sweetness. An excellent stout then and Highly Recommended.

O Brother Brewing is the brainchild of three brothers from Co. Wicklow, Ireland – Barry, Brian, and Paddy O’Neill. “In December 2014 we swapped the 9-5 jobs for beer 24/7 and set up our brewery in the beautiful village of Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow.  We haven’t looked back since!”

Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout Nitro, 6.0% ABV, 404 ml can Bradleys

I like the nitro theatre at the start and like the finish but the overall experience is all a bit modest, a little on the slight side, more butterfly than bee, a dance at arm’s length rather than a clinger. More shadow than substance. Give me a local like Cotton Ball, Elbow Lane, or Casey Brothers any day. And besides the American can is smaller!

Still, it is an interesting stout, easy to drink, well worth a try and I fully understand why quite a few drinkers rave about nitro. Just not me. The body colour is black, and the pillowy head, which really stays around, is tan. There is coffee and cream in the moderately (if even that) intense aromas. The sensation on the palate is ultra smooth, creamy/milky, and that head coats your upper lip, a bit on the sweet side though. Initially roasty, mocha flavours rise up, with slight hop and roast bitterness in the finish.

In all fairness, as a Corkman might remark, I’ll give Left Hand their say: Experience America’s Stout. Milk Stout Nitro is a full sensory experience. Gaze at the mesmerizing cascade of all those tiny Nitro bubbles. Breathe in the aromas of roasted coffee, milk chocolate, brown sugar and vanilla cream. Savor the super smooth Nitro sensation. And, smile as the perfectly pillowy head coats your upper lip. This portable draft beer experience is Good to Go straight from the can or served Like a Pro in a glass. From the bottle, Pour Hard to release the Nitro magic inside.

Geek Bits

IBU 25

Malt: 2-Row, Crystal, Chocolate, Munich, Rolled Oats, Flaked Barley, Roasted Barley

Hops: CTZ, US Goldings

Lactose is also listed in ingredients.

For the best experience, pour hard at 180 degrees into a your glass. 

a