Editor’s note: Yeah, I know I said none of us went out to do any beer reviews last night. I was wrong. Shilling got free for the first time in, well, he’ll tell you. We’re just glad to have him back. — Stoutmeister

Greetings beer lovers. After a damn near 15-week hiatus to focus on my studies, I’m rejoining my beer-loving brothers just in time for Beer Week. A perfect way to kick off my short summer break (good old summer school). For those that know, I have a hard time turning down a good red ale and Il Vicino is one of my local favorites.

This year for ABQ Beer Week, Brady and company have released quite a few special batches, including the Cask Irish Red.

So on a warm Tuesday afternoon, I made my way to Two Fools Tavern to give this different version of the popular ale a try. I was actually lucky enough to get the first pint they served, in fact.

The cask red looks like a pint of honey. Its mellow flavor and sweetness outweigh the normal bitter, hoppy flavor found in the majority our local reds. It is simply a nice, refreshing ale on a warm day that won’t fill you up after one.

All in all, I enjoyed this beer. It is much lighter than what I’m used to, especially for a cask ale (at Cask Wednesday last week, IVBC had the Black IPA clocking in at around 7-percent ABV). This is probably not an ale for the hop heads, but it is a good ale for those who have never had a cask ale.

So the next event I will be at (I believe) is Thursday afternoon at Sister Bar downtown for a tasting from my favorite brewery, Stone, followed by the Beer Groups Meet & Greet at Marble.

Cheers my friends!

— Jon