When the Coloradoan recently honored Maxline Brewing’s Irish Red as the best beer in Fort Collins, it was more than just a pat on the back: it was a celebration of community, craftsmanship, and a style that often flies under the spotlight.
Flavor Profile: What Makes the Irish Red So Special
Maxline’s Irish Red is a master class in balance and approachability. Here’s our tasting notes:
- Appearance: Deep copper hue with high clarity and an off-white head.
- Aroma: Sweet caramel and toffee lead, complemented by light fruitiness.
- Taste: Rich caramel melds with more subtle bread-crust malt flavors, and there’s a distinct touch of Bing cherry on the finish.
- Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and clean — it’s satisfying without being heavy.
- Ingredients: Malts include Maris Otter, 2-Row, Munich 2, Crystal 120, Carafa 3, and a bit of white wheat. The hops are Willamette.
- Stats: 6.0% ABV and 20 IBU, making it smooth and drinkable.
This isn’t a bold, aggressive beer. It’s warm, malt-forward, and comforting. It’s exactly the kind of beer that invites conversation and multiple pours.
Who Is the Coloradoan?
The Coloradoan is the daily newspaper serving Fort Collins and the Northern Colorado area covering local news, lifestyle, and culture, so when they shine a spotlight on a beer, it carries real weight in the community.
Being named “best beer” by a local media institution like the Coloradoan is meaningful. It’s not just about craft beer fans, but recognition from the heart of Fort Collins.
Meet Maxline Brewing
Maxline Brewing is a family-run, neighborhood brewery based in Fort Collins. Our brewery’s founders, Kevin Gearhardt and Cathy Morgan, got their start in home brewing (Kevin literally “brewed in the garage”) before turning that passion into a full-fledged brewery.
Their mission? Simple, but powerful: craft, community, and culture. Maxline strives to be more than just a place that makes beer — their taproom is meant to feel like a “living room away from home.”
Over the years, we’ve grown responsibly: expanding the brewhouse, adding a canning line, and even building a barrel-aging space. Through it all, we’ve kept our roots grounded in quality ingredients and local character.
What It Means to Be Named Fort Collins’ Best Beer
So what does it really mean that our Irish Red was named the best beer in Fort Collins by the Coloradoan?
- Local Validation: This isn’t an out-of-state beer critic saying “this is good.” This is your neighbors, your local newspaper, recognizing something brewed down the street.
- Cultural Impact: Fort Collins has an incredibly vibrant craft beer scene. To rank above the rest means we’ve made our mark.
- Brand Pride: This kind of recognition reinforces our identity as a community-focused brewery. It’s proof that our mission to balance tradition (an Irish Red is a classic) and creativity (execution is modern and thoughtful) resonates.
- Momentum: Awards and recognition like this can help fuel future growth — more people will try their beer, visit the taproom, and become part of the Maxline community.
Bottom line: Maxline’s Irish Red isn’t just a solid beer — it’s a symbol of what makes Fort Collins’ brew scene special: craft rooted in heart, made for people, and celebrated by the people. Getting dubbed the best beer in town by the Coloradoan is more than a trophy: it’s a connection.