Killian's: It's the Luck of the Irish
Written: Mar 23 '01 (Updated Mar 23 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Good Balanced Flavor
Cons: Not Much Foaminess
The Bottom Line: George Killian's Irish Red Lager is one of the best mass- produced products on the market and the price is fair.
|
|
|
| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: George Killian's Irish Red Ale 2402b |
Most people would agree that the beer that’s produced by the large brewer’s is bland and forgettable. If you stop and think about the beer made by the largest breweries, like Anheauser- Busch, Miller, and Coors, it’s difficult to find very many standouts amongst their products. One beer that’s worthy of being called a standout is George Killian’s Irish Red Lager, a product of the Coors Brewing Company.
History and Characteristics:
This beer is brewed based on a recipe that originated in Ireland, by brewer George Killian Lett. The Killian family has a rich history of brewing, and this product, Killian’s Red Lager, is styled after a recipe that dates back to 1864. That was the year that George Killian’s great- grandfather first brewed the amber- colored brew that is the forefather of the Killian’s Red Lager that we enjoy today. The present- day Killian’s was introduced in the United States in 1981.
When you pour Killian’s Red into a glass, the color, like you would expect is a copper- red hue. The aroma of Killian’s is on the dry side and a little malty and paper- like. The foaminess is somewhat disappointing. It starts out pretty good, but then falls apart quickly.
The flavor of Killian’s is pretty darn good, for a mass- produced beer product. The taste is well- balanced overall, starting out sweet and malty, then finishing dry and slightly hoppy. There is even a slight touch of creaminess to this beer, adding to the pleasantness of the drinking experience. The aftertaste is sweet, which is not what you would expect, based on the flavor. With the taste being well- balanced, you would expect the aftertaste to be similar, but it isn’t. Instead, it tastes pleasantly sweet and malty.
The alcohol level is a little bit higher than other beers of this style, but only slightly. It has an alcohol level of 4.9 percent by volume and there are 163 calories per 12 oz. serving.
Food Compatibility:
Killian’s Red Lager is a popular beer served in taverns, and for good reason: the taste makes it compatible with many tavern foods. It tastes good with salty food, with pizza, with snacks, and with most meat, especially beef and pork.
Final Thoughts:
George Killian’s Irish Red Lager is a very good beer for the masses. It’s similar to a microbrewed beer, but brewed to taste more smooth, well- balanced, and accceptable. In appearance and taste, it reminds me somewhat of Samuel Adams Boston Lager, but not quite as good. It’s like taking a glass of Samuel Adams, and removing the strong hop flavor and the excellent foaminess.
Killian’s Irish Red may not be a world classic beer product, but it’s quite good for a mass- produced product. And the price is right- only about $4.50 for a six pack. With a price like that, I see no good reason to buy many of the other popular beer products, which have similar prices, but bland flavor profiles.
If there are no craft- beers to choose from, Killian’s Red is the one I would choose. Most all craft- beers are better, but this is a very good beer, especially in draft- form (better tasting out of the keg than out of the bottle) and it’s one of the few good beers that Coors produces. Smooth and refreshing, and well- balanced from start to finish, George Killian’s Irish Red Lager is a beer that will satisfy!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.