Ranga Premium Red Ale by the Ranga brewing company in North West of Melbourne brews a delightful red ale. Distinctly orange in appearance, which goes well with the Orang-utan motif on the bottle, this beer is great after a long day. Red ales are slightly bitter, but not too so. Slightly hoppy, but not too so. A medium bodied ale with plenty of enjoyment. The Ranga Premium red is certainly living up to the standards that I would choose for an ale of this type. It is not as bitter as an English ale, but sits nicely between a pale ale and a bitter.

Ranga red ale has a lovely creamy head which sits in your glass as you swirl it around. The colour is a vibrant red, which is a bit too much, rather than an oak colour. This beer does not have a strong aroma, and the initial taste is not strong either, with a light orange taste. The middle flavours are fruity, but not citrus fruit, and light on the mouth. Rounding off these light flavours are a gentle bitter aftertaste which is neither overpowering, nor obnoxious, but just right.

Summary. Ranga make an excellent red ale, with light orange overtones and a smooth bitter flavour, which is aimed just right for a refreshing beer after a long day. Enjoy either straight from the fridge, or at cellar temperature, this beer fits the bill nicely.

[UPDATE - The more I drink this, the more I like it. Really like it at cellar temperature. Shame I only had one bottle ]