North Peak Steelhead Red

Draft sampler at North Peak. Poured a copper color with a moderate fizzy white head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Moderate toasted sweet aroma. Medium body with soft carbonation. Medium sweet flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration duration. Getting better as I go brew.

Bottle shared by awaisanen, thanks again. First off, I wouldn’t consider this an "Amber Ale", but a flemish sour ale. From the second I saw that this was brewed by JP, I knew I was in for a treat. The beer pours a translucent red apple red with a huge white head. The aroma is full of the sour, funky, vinegar goodness that one would expect from a flemish sour. One thing that I noticed that this brew is not nearly as spicy as JP’s other offerings, and I actually think that I enjoyed the diversity that this brew offers. I hope that Ron considers brewing and bottling a JP product similar to this. The flavor of this beer is just a bit lighter than I was expecting. The beers isn’t as sour as the aroma would lead one to believe, making it too drinkable. The finish is a bit thin and lacking flavor, but overall this is a very nice brew.

From a 12oz Bottle. Orangey red, transparent pour with a quickly dissipating layer of white head. Aromas of under-ripe strawberries and crab-apple cider erupt from my glass, flaunting the brew’s brett character, and proudly revealing the trademark stamp that Ron Jeffries has left on this beer. The sour, grape-like tartness is balanced by a backing of caramel malt character, adding an excellent level of depth and complexity to the bouquet. Light bodied, cleanly carbonated mouthfeel. I have to admit, after being so smitten by the aroma, the flavors came off a bit disappointing by comparison - still solid, but just a bit less intense. Tastes like autumn. Fruity flavors of jazz apples with a touch of oaky chardonnay tannins. Sour, but would like to see it even more so. Remarkably easy drinking for the amount of character hidden in this little gem. Finishes with a nice dose of sour fruits spiced with a pinch of cinnimon. The finish does tend to get a touch watery, which is the only thing holding me back from giving this a four rating. What a fantastic, hidden delight. Thanks, Tom!

Cloudy ressish amber pour with a thin offwhite head. Weak aroma and flavor of caramel malt. The body is light with a creamy texture and soft carbonation.