With Saint Patricks Day looming, we present to you our version of an Irish Red Ale (IRA for short). We are very pleased with this release and excited to share a little more on where the name was derived as well as some background on the IRA. Some light reading best enjoyed with a pint of Edison's IRA.
Irish Red Ale is a malty, moderately low-hopped beer style known for its balanced, smooth, and slightly sweet character. Originating from Ireland, this medium-bodied ale features a deep amber to reddish-copper color, often with a clear appearance and an off-white head. While IRA and Scottish Ale share some similarities, they have distinct differences in flavor, malt character, and alcohol strength.
Shannon Scheme tasting notes:
• Flavor: Malty sweetness with caramel and toasty notes, sometimes with a hint of butter. The finish is typically dry with a light roast or biscuit-like quality.
• Aroma: Subtle malt richness with low to moderate caramel notes, and minimal hop presence.
• Bitterness: Low to moderate, with just enough hops to balance the malt without being overly bitter.
• ABV: 5.2%, making it a easy-drinking beer.
• Mouthfeel: Smooth, slightly creamy, and moderately carbonated.
Food Pairings:
Pairs well with roasted meats, shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and mild cheeses due to its malt-forward profile and clean finish.
Shannon Scheme is a versatile, easy-drinking beer with a rich history, making it a great choice for those who enjoy malt-driven flavors without excessive sweetness or heaviness.
History of the Irish Red Ale:
The Irish Red Ale style originated in Ireland in the early 18th to 19th century. While its exact origins are unclear, it is believed to have evolved as a response to the popularity of English Pale Ales and Bitters, but with a stronger focus on malt character.
The style became commercially popular when George Killian’s Irish Red was introduced in 1864 by George Killian Lett in Enniscorthy, Ireland. However, I don't recommend looking into this beer as it is now owned and produced by Molson-Coors. While it has roots in the original, it is more of a marketing beer. Go to the Molson-Coors website and you'd be lucky to find decent information on the beer.
Traditional Irish breweries played a role in refining and maintaining the style, and today, Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale (founded in 1710) is one of the best-known examples of the style.
History of Shannon Scheme: For the engineering and history buffs
The Shannon River Dam and Hydroelectric Scheme, was a groundbreaking project developed in the 1920s to harness the power of the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river. Spearheaded by the newly formed Irish Free State in collaboration with the German company Siemens-Schuckert, the project aimed to generate hydroelectric power and modernize Ireland’s energy infrastructure. Completed in 1929, the scheme was one of the most ambitious engineering projects of its time, producing 85 megawatts (MW) of electricity, which initially supplied nearly all of Ireland’s electricity needs. The construction involved major modifications to the river’s flow, including the creation of a series of canals, weirs, and sluices to regulate water levels and maximize power generation. The project was inspired in part by the success of hydroelectric advancements in the United States, where innovators like Thomas Edison and his work in electrical power generation had demonstrated the potential for widespread electrification.
The Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme played a crucial role in Ireland’s industrial and economic development, significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imported coal for energy. The Power Station remains operational today, although it now contributes a smaller portion of the national electricity supply due to Ireland’s expanded energy grid. Beyond electricity generation, the project also improved navigation and flood control on the River Shannon, although it had ecological impacts on local fisheries and water levels. Much like Edison’s pioneering work in power distribution, the Shannon Scheme was a landmark achievement in engineering and innovation, symbolizing Ireland’s early strides toward energy self-sufficiency and modernization.
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