An easy to drink medium bodied beer

By Mike Thayer

I don’t drink beer often, but there are those times when a good cold beer is the only thing that will quench the thirst and given my fetish for Buffalo chicken lately, nothing but a beer will do.

Enter Smithwick’s Red Ale

I’m a Killian’s Red fan and in the mood for a red beer on this day, I stopped at a liquor store while running errands to pick up a six pack.  Much to my chagrin, this particular store doesn’t sell Killian’s Red.  I needed a Plan B and seeing Smithwick’s as the only red alternative available, to the register with a six pack of this I went.

Smithwick’s is a fine substitute!  With a nice amber red color in the pour and a creamy head, the aroma is light in the nose with a soft yet very refreshing feel in the mouth.  It’s a subtle beer that finishes strong.  I picked up notes of caramel, a very clean taste, nicely balanced with a bit of bitterness from the hops and sweet from the malt. 

Costing me $8.99 for a six pack, I’m giving Smithwick’s Red Ale 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars.  Smooth and refreshing, this beer is excellent paired with just about any kind of bar food and is reasonably priced.  It’s most definitely a repeat buy.  If you can’t find Killian’s Red, Smithwick’s is without hesitation a great substitute!

$pend Wisely My Friends…