Lakefront Fixed Gear American Red Ale

Boy has it been far too long. June was a very busy month for me with charity bike rides the second and third weekend and the National Homebrewers Conference the last weekend of the month. All of these events were wonderful and made the month pass by amazingly quickly, so quickly in fact I didn’t even get around to writing about the 2nd anniversary of this website. Though the fact that I was in the middle of a 150 mile bike ride at the time didn’t exactly help. But all of that is irrelevant, this is about beer.

With all the cycling i did last month what better beer to return with than one called Fixed Gear. When I read about this beer a few months ago I couldn’t help but laugh. As an avid cyclist and proponent of fixed gear and single speed bicycles the title of this ale certainly hit home. While part of me can’t help but think of this ale as a gimmick my respect for the quality ales that Lakefront Brewery produces entices me. It also doesn’t hurt that it is touted to be a hopped up Red Ale, a style I am all for. After hearing good things about this brew from Alvey of The Four Firkins I am even more excited to sample it. Pours a deep red hue that is very opaque and similar to the color of dates when away from light. Quite carbonated with about three fingers of off white head being produced and a good deal of small bubbles swirling through the glass for some time. After settling there is a small amount of lacing and a ring of about two millimeters around the surface of the beer. Smells of resinous bitter hops, a variety of citrus esters; particularly grapefruit,  moderate alcohol, and gentle fruit notes including passion fruit. Flavor is very hop forward with fruity, floral and bitter hop notes immediately hitting your palate and never fading. A solid malt backbone is present and adds  a nice sweetness mid palate that contrasts the bitterness well enough as to not overwhelm, yet little enough to allow the hops to shine through the whole sip. Overall this ale is quite bitter, with lovely grapefruit esters and related citrus notes, full flavored and almost tart fruit esters as well as modestly sweet malt that rounds off the ale nicely. Body is medium and the mouthfeel is very smooth and relatively clean. At 6.5% ABV this is one easy drinker that can be consumed by the 22oz bottle with no problem, provided you don’t mind bitterness. While not overly complex I really enjoyed this hoppy Amber Ale and would happily drink it regularly, particularly as it is reasonably priced for being packaged in 22oz bottles. If you enjoy bitter, hoppy ales that this brew should be right up your alley. If you prefer less bitterness I would suggest enjoying this ale more on the room temperature side as the sweetness comes out a lot more and helps distract from some of the serious bitterness present. If your not a fan of bitterness I would obviously stay away. Year round cyclist, seasonal cyclist, recreational riders and even those who don’t own a bike…you should all give it a shot, make up your own mind, and ride a damn bike.

Lakefront Fixed Gear American Red Ale

8 Responses to “Lakefront Fixed Gear American Red Ale”

  1. Had this at Dark Lord Day. Unfortunately the taste got lost with all the other beers we were drinking so I don’t remember it at all. I need to keep my eye out for this.

  2. This is one of my favorite beers of 2010. Cheers!

  3. That will happen at DLD. You seemed like you enjoyed yourself enough that it’s alright if you forgot about a beer or ten you had 😉 It can be difficult after drinking strong beers for 6+ hours.

    Glad to hear you enjoyed it beer runner it is definitely worthy of consumption. I think I’ll have to grab a few more.

  4. Heard you got a jibby job. What’s it all about?

  5. Indeed. It’s a gig with IBM & Best Buy, more or less temporary but it’s pretty cool. We should have some beers some Monday or Sunday. Cheers!

  6. Great Beer. Lakefront always does well. Love the Maudite glass you poured it in.

  7. Aye, it is my favorite glass. I love the wide tulip opening and its overall shape, it’s a fantastic tasting glass; and a solid brewery at that. Cheers!

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