When I ran across this beer  that fit my theme so well and noticed that it was seasonal, I thought I had better grab it while I could.  As a seasonal beer, I expect it to only be available through October.  I am already a Newcastle fan so it wasn’t a struggle to get me to try it.

Newcastle Werewolf describes itself as a blood red ale and reported as an Irish red from several review sites.  It fits that bill well.  It has a deep amber red color with a light cream color head that lasted as long as the beer did in my hand.  It had a sweet malty smell with perhaps a hint of fruitiness and diacetyl.  Hop aroma was very light.

It fills the mouth with a contrast of sweet malty goodness and spicy rye.  It has a little bit of body to it causing it to stick to the mouth, then as it breaks away.  A pleasant but potent bitterness replaces it.  I am left with the desire to take another taste in anticipation the refreshing front end of the next drink.

If you are a rye beer fan or like to experiment, give this one a try.  I’ll be enjoying more of them this season.  They represented the werewolf of the English countryside well and I tip my glass to Newcastle and the Caledonian Brewery company; partly in respect, but partly because I am ready for my next beer.

4.5% ABV,  23.4 IBUs according to brewhound.com