Gallaghers Galley Mac

Brewed by Gallaghers Where U Brew
Style: Amber Ale
Edmonds, Washington USA

Serve in English pint, Shaker

Tasted twice, once at Gallagher’s and once at E-pulo (awesome restaurant by the way). Both times: Aroma is that of caramel malts and a musty dust-like aroma. Finishing hops are not evident coming across as indistinguishable. Appearance, clear with no head. Medium amber. Flavor is lacking. A bit sour and a bit astringent. Slight twang while also having a very thin mouthfeel. Tastes like a beer made from old liquid extract...nothing terribly wrong, but it’s got a touch of sourness. Hops are not evident, nor is yeast character. I’ve been told that this is meant to be a Mac And Jack’s African Amber Ale clone. It suceeds based on color only. Otherwise this is not even close. No yeast character and lacking in malt backbone, it comes across as thin and leaves me "wanting". Keep in mind that I met the brewer and he’s a nice guy and all, but this beer really needs to be re-thought out.

Draft at Epulo Bistro in Edmonds. Like so many things on Epulo’s menus, this beer was misspelled. They transplanted the e from the name of this beer to a few other things, though, so I guess it balances out. Anyway, this came out in a shaker glass looking rather burnished and medium amber, with a loose film of off-white cream on top. Mild sweet caramel and brown bread nose with a little bit of earthy, leafy hop hanging around. Creamy medium body with active, though understated, carb. Caramel, biscuit, earth, and a whisper of pine on the mid-palate. Mild earthy finish. Not bad, no major flaws. Very subdued recipe, though, in a very subdued style. Not much happening.

Hazy amber colour. Light woody hop aroma. Hints of breadcrust. Light character overall. Slight hoppiness. Slight diacetyl.