Middle Fork
The 3 Legged Crane

American beer enthusiasts generally show little appreciation for the ordinary bitter. The name somehow suggests something too humble and reflexively unpalatable. Granted, the style is predicated on profound modesties. But there's nothing wrong with well-composed modesty and Middle Fork illustrates why.

The combination of Maris Otter malts, torrified wheat, and Nottingham dry yeasts make for an ale of simple elegance with sustained drinkability. A light bready/yeasty aroma emits from a body of vivid yellow with tastes comparable to an American cream ale and reminiscent of Boddington's. As with all Brewers Union beers, isinglass is used as a clarifying agent and the beers are cask conditioned and aerated through a "sparkler" to produce a rich, durable head and refined mouthfeel.

Named for the branch of the Willamette River that runs through Oakridge, Middle Fork fixes a casual sweetness to a dry finish. Though low intensity in both character and flavor, it became my favorite ale among Brewers Union's lineup and I ended up grabbing a mason jar-full for a midnight ale down at the lake. Its paltry 3.0% ABV only enhances its sessionable qualities and makes it an ideal choice for an afternoon sitdown with some fish'n'chips.