Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week": Mendocino Red Tail Ale

By Chuck Sudo in Food on May 8, 2009 9:10PM

The big question with Graham Elliot's "Sexy Burger," besides recalculating your life expectancy with every bite, is what beer is bold enough to pair with it. Say hello to Mendocino Red Tail Ale, people. This amber ale, brewed with Caramel and Pale malts along with Cascade and Cluster hops, was up for the challenge.

Red Tail is full bodied, with a nice balance between the malts and hops that paired nicely with some of the caramelized flavors of the burger. The head on Red Tail thinned out quickly, leaving thin rings of lace on the glass. It's alcohol content doesn't qualify Red Tail as a session beer, but it can be very easy for a sixer of this to go down quick on a perfect day like today.

The burger and a bottle of Red Tail at Graham Elliot will come in at $21, before tax. While the burger will be gone after tomorrow, you can still get Mendocino Red Tail Ale, Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."