Killian's Irish Red

05-04-2003:
"Gad, what the heck am I drinking this for," I ask myself as I first pop off the top of the first bottle in a six-pack. "Maybe because it was the only beer at the gas-station that had some sort of backbone, that's why." Yes, being stuck in the Gulf Coast town of Pascagoula, MS, on a business trip can be hell for a hop-head like myself. But with beers like Killian's, I think I might survive long enough to make it back to hop-head heaven (or to my stash of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, which ever comes first!).

Seeing that I'm neither a fan of macrobeer, nor much of a fan of any so-called "Red" beers (a style that isn't a style, IMO), I really expected very little from this. Which is good, since there isn't a lot to say about it. Something of a sweety/malty aroma (from the gratuitous use of Crystal grain, I'm sure, that also give it it's auburn color), that isn't completely unpleasant, actually. A bit cloying on the tongue at first, that ends up tasting very dry in the end. In other words, a rather cheaply made lager. Not horrible, but unremarkable, through and through. Gets the job done, and goes about it's business. And, unlike the four Michelob Bocks remaining from a six-pack in the mini-fridge (which are destined to be dumped down the drain before I check out of the hotel), I can see actually drinking the Killian's. Probably not the best tag-line for an advertising campaign ("Killian's! The beer you don't want to toss down the drain!"), but all I can come up with at this time.

02-06-2004 Re-review:
Yep, another business trip to Pascagoula MS, another six-pack of this -- yippee. Literally the only thing in all of the package stores in three counties with any hint of hoppiness -- or is that just wishful thinking on my part? Either way, I've certianly had worse on otherwise dull Friday nights away from home....
//TB