Artisanal Brew Works Touch O’ Crunch

When I first started drinking beer, my go to beer was Killian’s Irish Red at parties. I honestly don’t drink red ales that often anymore, but when I saw Artisanal Brew Works in nearby Saratoga Springs was putting out a red ale brewed with “cinnamon cereal” (wink, wink), I immediately realized that was a great idea for the style. Touch O’ Crunch might not have been the best red ale I’ve ever had, but it was interesting and good enough to open me back up to the style.

Brewery: Artisanal Brew Works (Saratoga Springs, NY)

Rating: 80/100

Comments: This red ale, spiced with cinnamon cereal, pours a clear dark amber color with a small amount of pale brown head. The aroma is relatively subtle, but there are some sweet caramel malt notes with an undercurrent of the sugary cinnamon cereal. The flavor starts sweet with the caramel and brown sugar, before some cinnamon spice comes in. There’s enough bitterness from the hops to keep it from being too sweet. It’s medium-bodied with lower carbonation. Touch O’Crunch is a great reminder of how good red ales can be.