UPDATED: JAN 8, 2022 Obtained at Gerrard’s Market from Redlands, California for $2.99, Red Trolley Ale is an Irish red ale crafted by Karl Strauss Brewing Company from San Diego, California. The air yields caramel, toffee, and dark fruit upon the nose. The appearance is scarlet red that pours a low beige head with some retention and lacing. When held up to light, the color shifts to an orange amber, and reveals a clear body. The alcohol content is 5.8%. Caramel is relatively rich, and malty to the touch. Toffee merges with the caramel, lightly thickens the body, and fairly sweetens the complexion. Red currants slightly tarts the take, administers a complimentary cranberry hue, and gently astringent to the fairly dry finish. A piney, bitter hop blends with the red currant sensation. Raisins are easily picked out during the finish, and assists with the toffee sweetness. Red Trolley Ale is an alluring Irish red ale. Caramel malt, toffee, red currants, a piney hop, and raisins coalesces into a sumptuous craft beer. Red currants slightly tarts the take, and blends with the caramel and piney and bitter hop combination. The caramel malt complexion is complimented and fairly sweetened by the toffee, red currants, and raisins. The relatively dry finish leaves behind raisins and a light astringent red currant note. I enjoyed drinking this brew, and enamored by the complexity and depth the dark fruit brings to this Irish red ale. Cheers. Prost. Drink for the love of beer. For more beer reviews, visit and like my blog “Drink For the Love of Beer.”

Appearance: reddish copper; slight head Taste: malty slight sweet finish 9/4/21 - South Draft Mission (San Diego, CA) 14oz ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

UPDATED: JUL 15, 2021 This is my second favorite Red Ale. Nice reddish tan color with a slightly sweet taste from the caramel malts. Just the right amount of hops so as you can taste them without the bitterness. This is a smooth drinking beer so you can drink a few because a the ABV is low enough. Personally I think the best Reds are below 20 IBU's. At Joshua Tree Bar & Grill.

UPDATED: NOV 13, 2020 Sweet, malty flavours come through in this take of an Irish Red. A balanced ale you could sit on a couple of these on a quiet Saturday night at home in front of the boob tube. 

UPDATED: AUG 3, 2020 Aroma is... ...........? ...... ok, light brown caramel, dried sweet banana. Red. Ridiculously smooth. Very sweet. Confectionery. A dessert beer. Sweet sherry. Bit decadent. Nice to have one. A reckon alot of fat-arses would like this over there.

UPDATED: JUN 24, 2020 From undated bottle in English pint. Pours murky rusty amber w/thin light tan head, modest malty aroma. Significant caramel malt sweetness, fruity finish not as dry as a traditional Irish Red

UPDATED: JUN 12, 2020 Pours with a clear light nut brown body and and a sparse tan head. Aroma-taste of brown bread crust, brown sugar and leather. Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation.

UPDATED: APR 21, 2020 Dark amber with no foam Toffee caramel, smoke, barrel oak, sweet malt, heavy syrup, honey, orange Nice smooth plate, nice refreshing quality yet heavy, sweet dark coffee, toffee, low in carbonation. Fruity, and long sweet length. Light and clean.

UPDATED: APR 10, 2020 Sweet - more sweet than I would like. Honey, and biscuit. Lacking the bittering that I would hope to kick in. I like a lot of Karl Strauss beers - but this isn’t doing it for me.

UPDATED: AUG 29, 2019 Clear bright amber under a thin ivory head. Light aroma with gentle biscuity malt and a touch of crystal. Crisp cool flavor that’s pale and crystal malty but pretty light and clean and delicate throughout.