Okanagan Highlander
Northern Ales & Grocery

draught
Quickly dissipating, ivory head. Very dark and opaque, red highlighted, caramel appearance. Nearly sweet, spiced caramel with a little roastiness and almost a woody tinge, for the aroma. Medium dark roasted grain and some medium toasted wood on the side, for the taste, along with medium dark roasted caramelized malt for backbone. A fair little woody bite, medium heavy body and not sweet.

 

12oz bottle purchased at Williams Seafood in Spokane for $1.69. No freshness date.

Poured a cola-like color into a Jones Radiator mug. Thin, tan head that dropped after a couple minutes.

Aroma was of mildly sweet, caramelish malt. Similar to what you’d expect for the style, but at a somewhat low amplitude.

The flavor starts off with a caramel sweetness that was expected due to its presence in the nose. There’s an undercurrent of apple-like fruitiness that made me wonder if this would turn into diacetyl city when it warms up a bit. This did increase as it warmed, but not to a crippling degree. There was, however, an acidic, sourness that increased with the temperature that was a little detrimental and combined with that fruitness to make it taste a bit like a super-restrained oud bruin.

Fairly thin mouthfeel for the style.

Not undrinkable like The Grouch from the same brewery, but disappointing if in the mood for a great wee heavy. While hitting a couple of boxes for the style, this was all over the place, and I can’t recommend it.

 

Poured into a MacAndrew's thistle glass. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, Nice, fine two finger light brown head with great retention and lacing. Light aroma of sweet malt and a hint of cola. Flavor is light caramel malt and dark fruit with a distinct peaty smoke finish. Medium bodied with a hint of creaminess. Understated, but pleasant. This seemed underwhelming on first sip, but grew on me as I drank it. The peat smoke is nicely done, making itself known, but not wearing out its welcome.

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: murky brown hue with a thin finger of creamy tan foam. Not too bad.

Smell: rich, sweet malt with a touch of yeasty character and a hint of smokiness. Mild, but not bad.

Taste: lightly sweet malt with some flavor of dark fruits: raisins, dates and cherries. A light smokiness rounds out the end; I rather like this beer.

Mouthfeel: good, medium-thick body with a well-integrated carbonation and a good creaminess.

Overall: I wasn't sure how good a Kettle Falls beer could be, but this is a decent Wee Heavy. Conservative, but to-style and well-crafted.

Poured by the brewer @ Huck's. No bottle date.

Dark brown with a bit of light tan foam and this leaves some lace. Honestly, doesn't have much aroma at all. No sweetness, slight caramels or herbal notes I usually get in the style. Flavor has standard toasty matls with a bit of herbal hops (a little too much here) and a weird, salinated finish. Meh, it's okay.