Redline Brewhouse
Barrie, Ontario
Redline Brewhouse, established in 2015, is a relative newcomer to Ontario’s pantheon of craft breweries. The brewery evokes a rustic feeling with a high class twist, like a 70s muscle car kept in very good shape over the years.
Described as “Craft Beer in High Gear,” the beers themselves all have names borrowed from automotive vernacular, and handle just as smoothly as a freshly tuned Mustang.
My parents joined me on this craft beer excursion to “give our expert opinions, boy.”
And they agree – beer is good, but craft beer is better.
Clutch
American pale ale 4.8 % ABV
Appearance
Pale yellow and hazy
Nose
Robust, citrusy and hoppy
Taste
Refreshing and mild. It doesn’t smack you with bitterness; rather it uses the hops to lend some pleasant citrus notes to an already refreshing beer.
Body
Smooth, light and easy drinking
Where to Enjoy
In a grassy field at noon on a July day
Daddo’s notes: “That’s very fruity”
Mom’s notes: “I like it.”
Check Engine
American amber 5.3 % ABV
Appearance
Transparent deep red, with a caramel head
Nose
Subtle and bready
Taste
Bready and rich with some malty notes and a hint of caramel.
Body
Smooth and light
Where to Enjoy
It’s a perfect beer for that one day that happens every October when it’s unseasonably warm outside.
Daddo’s notes: “I would buy a case of it.”
Mom’s notes: “I like it!”
Idle Coast
Pale lager 4.6% ABV
Appearance
Transparent golden yellow, with a generous light head
Nose
Very subtle, malty
Taste
This beer starts off a little bit sour, with malts becoming more apparent the deeper into it you get. Overall, a very fresh tasting beer
Body
Smooth. Goes down well
Where To Enjoy
By a lake on the August long weekend.
Daddo’s notes: “Very refreshing. Very refreshing”
Mom’s notes: “I like it”
5:01
Golden ale 4.2% ABV
Appearance
Transparent golden yellow
Nose
Almost no smell
Taste
This one has some bite to it! It’s quite flavourful, with some citrus evident, as well
Body
Super light and instantly refreshing
Where to Enjoy
As its name suggests, this is the perfect after work beer.
Daddo’s notes: “Tastes like a real beer”
Mom’s notes: “I like it”
Final Thoughts
Redline’s four core beers are an excellent introduction to craft beer for the budding connoisseur. That is to say, they are each top-notch examples of the style of beer they represent.
Another thing that makes their core beers ideal starting points is that they are not “intimidating.” Although stouts, IPAs, and sours are available, the core beers I reviewed are easy beers to get into.
All of the beers listed above, and many others are available at the brewery, or online at redlinebrewhouse.com
Written by Andy Elliott
