Santa Clara Brewing New Almaden
Santa Clara Brewing New Almaden is a 10% ABV imperial red ale in a 22oz bottle, brewed in San Jose, California by Santa Clara Valley Brewing. Built on pale and crystal malts with a heavy hop addition, it pours the deep cinnabar red its name promises — a nod to the historic New Almaden quicksilver mine south of San Jose. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 10%
- Size: 22oz bottle
- Style: Imperial Red Ale
- Malts: Pale and crystal malts, heavily hopped to balance the malt sweetness
- Origin: San Jose, California, USA — brewery founded 2012, own brewery and taproom from 2015
- Name: For New Almaden, the Gold Rush-era cinnabar (quicksilver) mining district south of San Jose
A Red Ale Named for Red Ore
During the Gold Rush, the foothills south of San Jose were mined for cinnabar — the red ore that yielded the quicksilver used to extract gold — and New Almaden was presented by the brewery as home to the oldest and richest such mine in California. Santa Clara Valley Brewing, founded in San Jose in 2012 by brewmaster Steve Donohue and CEO Tom Clark, bottled that story as a big, red, hop-heavy ale. Discover more California brewing in our craft beer and beer collections, or on the Santa Clara Brewing vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Pine and citrus over caramel malt. Palate: Piney, citrusy hop character riding a complex caramel-toffee malt base, with earthy, herbal hop notes underneath. Finish: Medium-bodied with a milder bitterness than its strength and hop load suggest.
How to Enjoy
A 22oz, 10% bottle built for sharing — pour into tulip glasses, serve cool, and pair with grilled lamb, aged cheddar or anything off the barbecue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What style is New Almaden? An Imperial Red Ale — a double-strength red ale on pale and crystal malts with a heavy hop addition, at 10% ABV.
Why is it called New Almaden? For the historic New Almaden quicksilver (cinnabar) mining district south of San Jose; the beer's deep red colour echoes the red ore.
Where is Santa Clara Brewing? In San Jose, California — the brewery's full name is Santa Clara Valley Brewing, founded in 2012.
Big, red and San Jose-bred — order Santa Clara New Almaden online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.