There aren't many places on planet Earth that are quite like Humboldt County, CA. If you've ever been there before, then you're probably well aware of what I'm talking about. Pristine Redwood forests encircling suburbs dotted with Victorian era architecture, Old burnt out hippies and rig ht wing, red neck gun nuts living side by side, Enormously large marijuana growing operations almost out in the open; these are just some of the curiosities that you might come across on a visit to foggy coastline of far northern California. What might be less obvious to the casual observer is the burgeoning brewing culture that has spread south from the craftbrew mecca known as Portland, Oregon. There are a lot of different breweries popping up in the greater Eureka and Arcata area over the past decade, but Lost Coast Brewery is probably one the biggest and best to sprout up among the towering stands of Redwoods that surround the area. I've tried two other beers from Lost Coast so far, and both have been right about in the B+ to A- range on my personal grading scale.
Tonight's offering is another from Lost Coast's colorful lineup called Alleycat Amber Ale, and just like it's brethren Raspberry Brown and Downtown Brown, this one gets pretty high marks in my book. You can't miss Alleycat Amber Ale when you're walking down the aisle of your local market. Just like with the rest of their range of beers, the artwork on the label of Alleycat Amber Ale incorporates the colorful tones, disjointed angles and and awkward shapes that make is look like something painted by Pablo Picasso and Edvard Munch's lovechild. One of the things that the brewers at Lost Coast really nailed that a lot of other beers get wrong is the weight of the beer. When I say weight, I mean that it's not overly heavy or filling. More often than not, inexperienced brewers of amber ales tend to create a brew that feels heavy like a stout. Alleycat Amber Ale is one that really balances all of the complex flavors that you should expect from an amber, without making you feel like you've just eaten a three course meal after your first pint. Alleycat Amber Ale has a nice fluffy white head that gradually dissipates and gives way to ample the ample lacing that seems to be the standard for most of the Lost Coast beers that I've tried so far. If you're a fan of amber ales, be sure to give this one a try.
Cheers!
Ian
www.lostcoast.com
Tonight's offering is another from Lost Coast's colorful lineup called Alleycat Amber Ale, and just like it's brethren Raspberry Brown and Downtown Brown, this one gets pretty high marks in my book. You can't miss Alleycat Amber Ale when you're walking down the aisle of your local market. Just like with the rest of their range of beers, the artwork on the label of Alleycat Amber Ale incorporates the colorful tones, disjointed angles and and awkward shapes that make is look like something painted by Pablo Picasso and Edvard Munch's lovechild. One of the things that the brewers at Lost Coast really nailed that a lot of other beers get wrong is the weight of the beer. When I say weight, I mean that it's not overly heavy or filling. More often than not, inexperienced brewers of amber ales tend to create a brew that feels heavy like a stout. Alleycat Amber Ale is one that really balances all of the complex flavors that you should expect from an amber, without making you feel like you've just eaten a three course meal after your first pint. Alleycat Amber Ale has a nice fluffy white head that gradually dissipates and gives way to ample the ample lacing that seems to be the standard for most of the Lost Coast beers that I've tried so far. If you're a fan of amber ales, be sure to give this one a try.
Cheers!
Ian
www.lostcoast.com
2 comments:
Thanks, Ian. You have captured what we try to do with our beers, make a well balanced beer that easy to drink. Right now heavy extreme beers are all the rage so it's nice to have someone appreciate nice well balanced beer.
Barbara Groom
Lost Coast Brewery
There are four breweries here in Humboldt County - Eel River, Mad River, Six Rivers, and of course Lost Coast. All make and bottle good beers and Lost Coast is indeed known for its ability to make really drinkable beers while not going overboard. Not that I don't personally like "big" beers, but 8-ball is an excellent and highly approachable stout, and Indica holds it own against just about anyone else's IPA.
Ron Kuhnel
Rating Moderator
www.thebeerinme.com
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