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George Killian's Irish Red

Coors Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Amber Lager · One of 56 Amber Lagers in hopIQ

George Killian's Irish Red goes back to a family recipe from a brewery in Enniscorthy, Ireland. Coors brews the American version under licence, and as a lager rather than an ale. A caramel malt kilned hotter and longer than usual gives the red-amber colour, with no colouring added. Toasted caramel and sweet malt lead the nose, with light bread and a faint fruity note behind. The palate is malt-forward and nutty, bitterness is mild, the head creamy and the finish moderately dry.

ABV
5.4%
Bitterness
Mild14 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
See all Amber Lager alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2014
World Beer Cup
Irish-Style Red Ale
★Gold — World Beer Cup (Irish-Style Red Ale)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Crisp and mildly bitter.

Trim and gentle — the beer moves through with an unforced, easy rhythm.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Amber Lager.
Malt character
caramel
malty
nutty
bready
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
clean
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for George Killian's Irish Red

◎ Appearance

A clear red-amber body, deriving its colour from caramel-kilned malts without any added colouring agents. The head is notably creamy and persistent, clinging to the glass with visible lacing. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated.

red-amberclearcreamy headpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with toasted caramel and sweet malt notes, providing an inviting foundation. Light bread aromas emerge in the mid-range, with a faint fruity undertone that adds subtle complexity without dominating. The overall impression is warm and grain-forward.

toasted caramelsweet maltbread notessubtle fruit

◐ Taste

The palate is decidedly malt-centric, with a soft, nutty character developing across the mid-palate. Bitterness remains mild and well-restrained, allowing the malt sweetness to persist. The texture is smooth, supported by the creamy carbonation.

malt-forwardnuttymild bitternesssmooth

◑ Finish

The finish is moderately dry, cleanly shedding the initial sweetness without harshness. A lingering grain and nuttiness remains in the aftertaste, providing a measured conclusion.

moderately drygrainy aftertaste
72
hopIQ score
Aroma
74
Taste
71
Appearance
76
Finish
70
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of George Killian's Irish Red

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with George Killian's Irish Red

About Amber Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Lager?

Amber Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Amber Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, nutty, malty character as George Killian's Irish Red will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Amber Lagers in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Amber Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →