Killian's Red

[Brownbeard]

I went to the hockey game here last night. Usually I drink either Labatte's or AB Amber Bock at the games. Last night, they were out of the Amber Bock and I had the kid with me, so I was not looking to drink 25oz cans of Labatte's. So I went with Killian's Red. I have not had it in years, because I never really cared for it. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It had a much maltier flavor and far better mouthfeel than I remember. This is the beer that turned me off of reds for years. I may have to rethink that now. They also have Leinenkugel's Red on tap, I may have to give that a whirl next. I like Leinie's products.

[steveh]

IIRC, the Killian's has more roasted malt than the Leinie's Red. And the LR is a bit sweeter, but thinner.

We've found the LR to be a good "in-between" beer for work parties and picnics, sometimes the KR. Guinness and other "scary" stuff for the beer lovers, Miller Lite for those not so adventerous, and the LR for those a little more so.

I still find both pretty boring, back when the "Red Craze" was at its peak, there was a micro in Chicago called (of all things) Chicago Brewing. They made an "Irish Red" ale that was wonderful. Malty sweet, good body, just the right balance of roasted malt and hops.

Unfortunately, marketing and sales win out and CB is no longer with us. Anyone know what Steve Deinhart is up to these days? He was a great spokesman and salesman for his beer, he just couldn't push back the wave of pseudo micros and macros.

S.

Mmm. They had a GREAT bock too...

[chazwicke]

I have not had Coors' Killians Red in a very long time. Several years ago I had a version in France that was brewed by Pelforth. It had way more malt flavor than I recall the Coors brew having. If I recall it came in smaller bottles and we bought it from a French supermarket on the way to Mont St. Michael (sp). It was only cool and I remember drinking it straight from the bottle as we were on the road. Very malty and I believe it may have been higher alcohol too. Anyone else had this or know if it is still made by Pelforth? I wonder where else the name has been licensed and what the original Irish version tasted like. I'm certain that the Coors product is nothing like the original was.

[hops99]

Yeah, I haven't had KR in at least 5 years, or the LR in at least 3 or 4. I also remember the Leinie Red to be very thin, but drinkable. Killian's Red always seemed to have an odd acidic taste to me back in the day - maybe I should give it a taste again soon.

One thing that always bugged me about Killian's though - I hated it when joe retard would celebrate St. Patty's Day with a "quaint" Irish brew - Killian's. Uh, no, Killian's is actually made in one of the largest single site breweries in the world, in Golden, Colorado, and isn't Irish in any way, shape, or form. Arrgghh!

[chazwicke]

Coors operates a brewery in Elkton, Virginia. I have never visited this facility. I am not certain that they actually brew there. They may just bring in tankers and bottle. But, I seem to remember that they chose that sight because of the water. I'll check into this and see if I can dig up any more info.

[chazwicke]

Yep they do Brew as well as bottle at the Elkton plant. I found this link about an accident there in Sept. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/2470029/detail.html

[Brownbeard]

Originally posted by hops99
Yeah, I haven't had KR in at least 5 years, or the LR in at least 3 or 4. I also remember the Leinie Red to be very thin, but drinkable. Killian's Red always seemed to have an odd acidic taste to me back in the day - maybe I should give it a taste again soon.

That acidic taste was what I didn't like before. I think this is the first time I have had it on tap too. Maybe that is the difference. Choosing between that and Amber Bock at the hockey game, I am going to go with the Killian's. One a raging party night, I will probably still hit the Labatte's oil can.

[fretlessman71]

Never thought to ask this...

Where do they have Hockey in Iowa?

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I have not had Coors' Killians Red in a very long time. Several years ago I had a version in France that was brewed by Pelforth...

The style died in popularity in Ireland a while ago (late '50s? '60s?), but remained popular in Northern France for some reason. Killian brewed (brew?) the beer in Ireland, but sell it exclusively in France.

It was, what, mid-'80s? That Coor's bought the rights from Killian to brew and bottle here in the 'States. And yeah, I hate the way they try to pass it off as "truly" Irish. Belgium didn't let them do that with Blue Moon, I think Ireland ought to get on 'em too! ;)

S.

[Brownbeard]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Never thought to ask this...

Where do they have Hockey in Iowa?

I am in Cedar Rapids. It is Junior A hockey. USHL to be exact. Davenport has a UHL team and Des Moines is in the process of getting an AHL team. It is really catching on here, which is good.

[Bryant]

Originally posted by Brownbeard
I went to the hockey game here last night. Usually I drink either Labatte's or AB Amber Bock at the games. Last night, they were out of the Amber Bock and I had the kid with me, so I was not looking to drink 25oz cans of Labatte's. So I went with Killian's Red. I have not had it in years, because I never really cared for it. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It had a much maltier flavor and far better mouthfeel than I remember. This is the beer that turned me off of reds for years. I may have to rethink that now. They also have Leinenkugel's Red on tap, I may have to give that a whirl next. I like Leinie's products.

I have turned friends and associates on (who drink Amerifizz) to Amber Bock, Killians and/or Moosehead as a "starter" beer to get them on their way to the finer beers in life. I still drink Moosehead once in a blue moon and still enjoy it, but Killians (on tap, not in the bottle) is just...... serviceable to me. If it is all that is available like at a concert etc. I will drink it, but it's not something I seek out. To give ever so small props to Coors, it does have a little bit of character and that is something that can not be said for any of their other products. The same applies to Michelob's Amber Bock. I don't hate most macros because they sell a bunch of beer. I hate most macros because they sell a bunch of crap. Killian's and Amber Bock aren't very good, but it is a step in the right direction.

Bryant

[mesmartyoudumb]

I've always noticed that killians had a rusty flavor to it.
Anyone else ever observe this?

[fretlessman71]

You noticed a flavor with Killian's? ;)

JK.... Killian's didn't taste like much of anything to me the last time I tried it - it was like a heavy Budweiser or something. And yes, there was something sort of acrid about it, but I just thought that was the CO2 from the draught.

[paul84043]

I have made several "Irish red" kits, I usually get adventurous with them and add something to them, like extra malt to kick them up a tiny bit.
They are just Amber ales with a slightly darker grain addition as far as I can tell, but they're good...

I have never been a fan of Killians, I couldn't tell it apart from the other lighter colored MegaSwill.

[chazwicke]

[i]Originally posted by paul84043

I have never been a fan of Killians, I couldn't tell it apart from the other lighter colored MegaSwill. [/B]

My sentiments exactly. (with regard to the American version only).

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by mesmartyoudumb
I've always noticed that killians had a rusty flavor to it.
Anyone else ever observe this?

When it's in a bottle or can.
On tap it's a different (pleasant) animal.

[Brownbeard]

I have to agree, I had it again in bottles, it was not nearly as good as the tap beer at the game.

[hopjack13]

killians sucks! :p