In memoium of red

The Beamish and Crawford brewery in Cork was recently absorbed by Heineken, much to the dismay of the Beamish drinkers of Cork. While this was a worrying point in itself it was hoped that the change of brewing location wouldn't affect the taste too much. This quality factor is yet to be illuminated, but the hidden casualty of this transaction which has just now come to light was the fate of Beamish Red, lesser drunk (if possible) than Beamish proper but a smooth and enjoyable drink all the same.

An ale, but not an ale. Growing up under the dark shadow of its stoutier brother blew the pressures of brotherly tensions and rivalries soaring. Red first looked up to his brother and strove to be more like him -- starting by changing his head. This trend continues even today with ales in the south of Ireland; Smithwicks with a Guinness head remains a common variation which started with the sout-headed red ale from Cork. After this revolutionary proem to society, however, things did not remain good for Red. In his teens he fell victim to alcohol, drugs and gambling after failed attempts to measure up to Beamish. After years of struggling, rising and falling, legal proceedings and failed marriages, the straw finally sucked the final life from Beamish Red's last pint.

RIP Beamish Red.