This beer is amber in color with good clarity and a tan, frothy head that has great retention. There's a mild aroma for the style, with a subdued toasted malt character. Alcohol comes through in a big way, along with a prevalent grapefruit character. With a mild caramel sweetness up front, the beer begins inviting enough, then, American hops break through and dominate the flavor. Floral, grapefruity and big all around, the beer is proud to be American. It finishes slightly sweet with lingering bitterness that's assertive but not overpowering. While it is full-bodied with high carbonation and high alcohol warming, overall, Old Blarney's still a bit mild for the style. Though with a good balance of sweet and bitter, this is a very drinkable brew. Aging would decrease the hops' role, but could benefit the beer's complexity.
