Otter Creek Otter San

22oz bottle. Poured a medium and lightly hazy golden color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of grains, rice, and a little grass. Tastes of rice, gains, and some light malty sweetness. There was ’something’ different about this that I had a harder time putting my finger on.

22 ounce bottle from City Market in Burlington, VT (April 2008) served a little above fridge temperature from an Allagash glass. Very pale amber-gold with lots of tiny bubbles clouding the liquid, topped by a largish smooth bubbly snow-white head which laces thickly as it drops rapidly....nose is sweet-ricey, indeed somewhat reminiscent of stickier nigori sakes, but mixing with the pilsener grassiness doesn’t really work and the aroma is more medicinal and gross than it is inviting....the body is thick and sweet, hops not noticed really, fruity and sugary throughout, more than a little sticky and cloying though not entirely undrinkable....an odd beast this; I entered it initially as an amber ale but the rice character really is strong if not dominant. I might recommend this to those with a somewhat experimental bent, but I’m not really liking it.

Bottle from Capone’s. Pours gold with some chill haziness and minimal head. Nose is malt, some ricey sake notes, mild hops and yeasty spices. Tastes lagery, with some ricey sake notes that become apparent as it warms. I expected this to be more sake-like, but it’s more like a beer/sake hybrid, with the sake yeast giving some unique flavor and palate sensations.

Tap @ Hop Devil. Poured a crystal clear gold color with a white head. Sweet toasted malt aroma with notes of biscuit. The flavor was lighter on the malt. Some sweetness and a fruity finish.

Tap at Hop Devil Grill. Pale amber beer with a thick fluffy white head. Aroma is quite rich and bready. Light tapioca and coconut over a very grainy bready flavour. Soflty fruity with a kiss of melon and pear as well. I quite like this.