Review - Redhook Brewery's Saturnaleia
"Saturnalia is a Double/Imperial Red. Approximately 8% alcohol by volume. 85-90 IBU's. Deep red color. Nitroginated on draft." --Red Hook
Pours with a moderately red hue producing a very rich, creamy off-white head with excellent retention. Brilliant clarity, and super sticky lacing left behind. Aroma is very west coast, with assertive citrus hop character with a strong presence of grapefruit. The nose has some creamy consistency to it. Initial taste is ultra-creamy and sweet, finishing with a slight hop bitterness that intensifies at the end leaving the palate very smooth. Medium bodied, it has a very creamy texture, and is very well balanced between the assertive hops and the mellow maltiness.
This is very different from most reds, notably because this is classified as a double red. Most reds tend to be slightly bitter, but not from hop resins. Sean wasn\’t a fan the first time he had it, but now that he\’s revisited, he likes the deviation from a normal red. Supremely drinkable.
Reviewed on January 30th, 2009.
