D.L. Geary Brewing Company - Hudson Red Ale

This traditional Irish-style Red Ale unsurprisingly pours a deep, rich, reddish-amber color boasting brilliant clarity. On the nose, we were immediately struck by some almost berry-like red fruit and floral notes along with the prominent caramel and toasty overtones characteristic of the style. The aroma proved to be a good predictor of the flavor as these elements are readily apparent on the palate, too. Look for rich caramel and toffee-like notes to form a deep center, bolstered and elaborated by floral tones and an endearing fruity quality. Hop bitterness is moderate, offering enough of a bite to easily counter the mild residual sweetness while drying the brew nicely in the finish. Try pairing this delicious sessionable ale with traditional British Isles food such as shepherd’s pie or bangers & mash, or try roasted or grilled meats. French onion soup should be a delightful accompaniment, as well. Cheers!

In 1983, only thirteen microbreweries existed in all of the United States, with the majority concentrated out West in states like California, Oregon, and Washington. Inspired by the idea of brewing small-batch, high-quality beer for the enjoyment of fellow New Englanders (and themselves, of course!), David and Karen Geary began D. L. Geary Brewing Company in October of that year. But they did not rush headlong into production; instead, David flew to Britain in 1984 to begin researching English and Scottish brewing, and training in their techniques. Helped by Scottish brewer and nobleman Peter Maxwell Stuart, who arranged for him to work at a number of different commercial breweries in both Scotland and England, David honed his craft among some of the finest breweries in the world, including the famed Traquair House Brewery (producer of some of the greatest ales in all of Great Britain).

Meanwhile, David and Karen set to the task of building the business. They laid out their business plan, identified and purchased the property that would become home to the brewery, raised capital, bought brewing equipment, and designed packaging. It was also during this time that the recipe for what would become Geary’s Pale Ale, their flagship brew, began to take form as David drew from the tradition and technique of Britain’s best brewers. Finally, construction began in 1986 after almost two years of preparation, and in December of that year the first batch of Geary’s Pale Ale was sold. The establishment of Maine’s first microbrewery signaled the dawn of the microbrewing renaissance in New England, which now boasts scores of excellent breweries and brewpubs. David and Karen continue to work at the brewery, joined now by their daughter, Kelly. For more information on their Tasting Room or brewery tours, call them up at 207-878-2337 or visit www.gearybrewing.com.