austinpowers (2813), New York, New York, USA May 6, 2008 Geez, this is more hoppy than I expected. I don’t much care for its grassy/herbal flavor profile, though I suppose I should be thankful they at least put in a lot of ingredients rather than just releasing a watery brew. cyrenaica (216), Milton, Ontario, Canada Apr 19, 2008 473ml can
5.5% ABV
Can says it was brewed by the Big Hole Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, although the picture on the can matches the one on the website.
I tried this beer on April 3, 2008 after purchasing from on eof the local LCBO outlets. The beer smells putrid. The colour is a translucent dark orange-gold with a fluffy white head. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, with some mild carbonation. The flavour is slightly sweet, with a slight bitter finish. IrishBoy (1895), Bakersfield, California, USA Apr 3, 2008 473 ml can from Harry! Nose of grainy bread, some grassy hops, and caramel; clear dark gold with a big yellowish head; flavor is bready caramelwith a hint of grain and hops; Decent and drinkable. presario (2271), Calgary, Alberta, Canada Mar 12, 2008 Bottle said it was from Wisconsin. Lasting white head on dark amber. Not much for aroma. Thin caramel with a bit of burnt sugar to start the flavour. Flavour is much stronger in the back end with stronger dark malt character and a hint of bitterness. pootzboy (841), Calgary/ Kitchener, Alberta, Canada Feb 26, 2008 Re-rate: New 474 ml can:
puts an amber-orange lager in the glass with a nice frothy 2 finger cap. Good lacing of the glass...moderately carbonated.
The aroma is very promising...sweet caramel toasty-bready tones over a light whisp of medicinal hops .
Up front the mouth feel is slick... medium body with fair malt spine...... caramunich sweetness becomes balanced by ample Piney-herbal Yakima nugget hopping....aromatic without being too bitter......at any rate the judicious use of hops and non standard lager yeast ( or warmer fermentation?) in this spicy Pacific NW amber variation works and gives it near perfect balance and a wet, spicy-malty finish that turns lightly metallic in the after taste...the 5.5 AVB seems to be just the ticket to make this a very satisfying session lager.
Far from being a standard Munich lager this beer has many characteristics in common with California common steam beer ...and has a flavor profile similar to Anchor steam...perhaps that is the niche/vacuum this hoppy, malty, spicey lager seeks to fill.
Well made...good malts...bold use of hops...well balanced...tastey, and most of all, very drinkable. A lager head’s staple beer.
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