Noel: If you’ve tried Half Acre’s phenomenal Daisy Cutter Pale Ale and felt it a little lacking in the malt department … then this beer’s for you. Ok, so Ginger Twin isn’t quite as good a red ale as Daisy Cutter is a pale (although the bottle artwork is awesome). But they do share a certain similarity in their hop palate: resinous, fresh, and citrus-powered. Ginger Twin even has a slight murky haze to it that immediately reminded me of Half Acre’s flagship APA. And they both have a great medium-bodied mouthfeel; not thin and watery, but not too syrupy either. Where the two so obviously differ is malt strength, and this red ale definitely has it. It’s a little on the darker end of the red spectrum, tossing in stronger coffee and burnt notes to compliment the more classic toffee and dark caramel flavors. IPA lovers may complain about this … but remember: this isn’t an IPA!

Now, to where reviewing gets subjective. I love a good red ale, and this one had all the right elements. In the end, though, it just didn’t thrill me the way an awesome beer usually does. It’s better than your average craft-brewed red ale…perhaps even better than your better-than-average red ale. But it’s lacking a key element, something to push it from great to superb (not sure what that is). In any case, don’t shy away from a bottle if you find one. It’s still delicious. Grade: B+

Taylor: The whole hopped-up red ale style is one I’m really coming to enjoy. This big red brew from Chicago’s own Half Acre Brewing Company (when will they open a brewpub?!) remains true to form: specialty, comes in a bomber, has awesome artwork, and contains a fermented concoction. With preconceived notions about how the perfect India Red Ale should taste (see Grand Teton Pursuit of Hoppiness), we poured this dark, malty-yet-hoppy beverage into our glasses and set upon it. It looks like a through-and-through red ale, and maybe even a little darker still, with a nice big billowing tan head. Very well carbonated. I expected a significant malt presence. But it’s also hopped, so the nose smells of resinous pine.

Considering the hop profile of Half Acre’s Daisy Cutter Pale Ale, I would have to say that I was hoping for more hops in this India Red. The malts are dominant and the hops take a back seat, more of a tempering presence than anything else. I was hoping more hops would bring all of the flavors bursting to the surface but instead it was more subtle. Still, this is a tasty brew. Just not everything I hoped for. And I wish their website told you more about the beer. Grade: B