Dodgy Geezer
Surly Brewing Co.

 

 

a classic mild ale on nitro, brewed up fresh here in the states, this is a style of beer and in fact a specific beer in that style that will never get the love it deserves, and whether or not this is your thing, the beer is really fantastic, as good as can be, and super true to style, i loved it! the fusion of english ale yeast, rich european malt fermented dry, and super low alcohol all on a fine creamy nitro charge is a real treat, and i wish more breweries would take a stab this direction. malt driven, obviously, but toasted, nutty, dry, almost smoked, but sort of restrained too, fuller bodied on the nitro, but at the same time as easy drinking as a beer possibly could be. i like the tip of the cap to the old world here, have not seen much of that from surly, but this also stands out to me as fresher and cleaner and more interesting and even more drinkable than a lot of the imports, sort of halfway between the dark and the light mild. this is way better beer that it will ever get recognition for, and if mild was the new east coast ipa, this would be something from treehouse. if that makes sense to you, go find this one...

 

 

 

 

On tap at Red Cow. On nitro.
Wonderful to look at with a thick creamy head. Clear dark body with brown and hints of red.
The mix of malt and hops is very nice in both. Crisp malt character with a herbal, "green" hop character.
Both of these really bounced in the taste. Feels was thicker for style but still has the thinnish quality that small beers have. The flavors seems to fade some as moved towards the bottom of the glass. Still an enjoyable mild that I would easily have again if in the right circumstance.

 

Surly Dodgy Geezer Nitro, 3.8% ABV. Pours thin and dark brown, with a small head on a careful taproom pour. Nose is roast malt, taste is slightly malty, but mostly just watery. Mouthfeel is like water, nitro not helping here, but it was the end of the keg. Overall quite unimpressive.

 

Tasted in a pint glass from draught at Firkin on February 17, 2017.