Ireland is probably the most heartbreakingly beautiful place I’ve traveled. The rivers, the rolling hills, the fields, the forests, the cliffs, the deep blue sea…

I can remember standing on top of a hill, watching a car navigate a narrow road far, far below, and wondering if the people who lived here realized how lucky they were. If I lived here, I thought, I would never be depressed again.

Ireland is the kind of place that can make you believe in God, even if you don’t, usually.

No wonder there is always so much music and singing in the pubs.

Athletic Brewing Co. Emerald Cliffs

The first AF Irish beer we tried was Athletic Brewing Co. Emerald Cliffs. (For those unaware, Athletic Brewing Co. is a craft brewery known for their alcohol free and vegan friendly beers.)

We had all been looking forward to this one, imagining it to be similar to Guinness. Rich, dark and “nitro infused”.

Unfortunately, Emerald Cliffs did not live up to our expectations.

First, it was flat. A little peculiar since Athletic Brewing Co. beers almost always have great heads and fierce carbonation. We checked the website for reviews – maybe it was just a bad batch? – and saw video instructions for pouring. You shake the can, then hold it upside down over a glass and pour all at once.

Well, that took care of the carbonation. There were beer bubbles in our hair, on our clothing, sprayed over the porch. Once they subsided, the beer that actually made it into the glass still tasted flat. It was also missing the creaminess we were expecting from a nitro beer.

Emerald Cliffs is said to have notes of chocolate, coffee, and wood. To me, the wood undertone was VERY strong.

Great if you want a thin, flat, woody drink. Otherwise, if you’re looking for something rich, dark, and creamy, I would recommend Guinness 0.0.

Athletic Brewing Co. Irish Red

Irish Red Ales (leann dearg) are malt beers with a mild sweetness and gorgeous reddish-amber colors. Not too hoppy, not too sweet, not too sour, no unusual flavors – it’s a basic, drinkable, totally non offensive Every Beer.

So we were expecting an Every Beer, but what we wound up with is an Every Day Beer! As in, we could drink this beer every day. Perfect bubbly carbonation while having a smooth mouthfeel. Non-assertive enough to drink while eating, while still having personality and just enough hops to enjoyably sip on its own.

The secret, I think, is the “dark stone fruit” – plum – which gives the beer a little juiciness – but not citrus-juiciness. Just a tiny little fruity “oomph” that balances nicely with the signature Irish Red toffee notes.

It’s hard to imagine anyone who drinks beer disliking this beer. All my testers loved it. All would buy it. Several are planning to stock up. One is even considering the idea of starting a petition for Athletic to include this beer in their year-round selection. That’s one petition I would sign.

This beer is definitely a winner!

Sláinte!