Klamath Basin Drop Dead Red Ale

Klamath Basin Drop Dead Red Ale, from Klamath Falls based Klamath Basin Brewing, poured a dark, transparent crimson into the glass, capped with a yellow head and little observable carbonation.  Hops, toast, and nuts led the nose.

Klamath Basin Drop Dead Red Ale followed its nose by opening with hops and toast before the sweet, nutty middle took over.  The ale ended on a slightly bitter fade that wasn’t unpleasant but felt out of place with the malt profile.

Red ales are all over the board, but Klamath Basin Drop Dead Red Ale is a solid entry.   

Klamath Basin Crystal Springs IPA

Crystal Springs IPA, a regular offering from Klamath Basin Brewing, poured a hazy acron color into the glass, topped with a whipped, white head fed by a tiny amount of carbonation.  The IPA had a big, citrus and pine nose typical of a Northwest-style IPA.

Despite the lack of visible carbonation, Klamath Basin Crystal Springs IPA hit my mouth heavily carbonated with a gripping, fruity hop start.  As the effervescence subsided, the hops mellowed into a subtle, sweet caramel center.  A strange, almost minty herbal note came through as the hops faded, and the malt profile took on a slightly “off” earth taste.

Klamath Basin Crystal Springs IPA is a good craft beer, and I wouldn’t turn it down, but in the current glut of similar IPAs, this IPA doesn’t stand out.