Maple Ale
Lefty's Brewing Company

Purchased an attractively designed yellow 16 oz. can in Lefty's home town of Greenfield, MA. knowing it would be fresh and hoping that the contents would equal the can presentation. Label features a dog, maple syrup buckets, lots of snow and commentary that the ale is brewed with local maple syrup. Its brightness definitely stands out on the store shelf.

I think this is the first maple ale I've discovered in my travels so I didn't know what to expect. I was concerned about two possibilities. First, that the sweetness of the maple syrup would dominate the taste. Actually, it only blended with the malts to create a rather unique aroma and taste. Second, I wondered if the 8.2% ABV would be a bit high for this type of product but, to my surprise, it seemingly had no negative impact.

After consuming the can's contents, I wished I had purchased a 4-pack for future consumption. I realize it's a seasonal so I need to be visiting Greenfield or its environst again in the very near future.

Appearance – Thin layer of head over a brown hazy body.

Aroma – Maple, nutty, caramel, a little sweet.

Taste – Nutty malt, maple flavor but not sweet, quick flash of bittering hops, mild aftertaste.

Mouthfeel – Smooth and a little oily.

Overall – Pretty good overall.

On a random Western, Ma byway exploration day, I found this at a little farm stand market in North Hadley. Love all of the farm fresh produce you can find along the side of Rt. 5 and 47.

22 oz bomber.

A very vibrant amber color. The foam cap rises high and dense at first, mellows to a solid covering at all times however.

The nose is dominated by maple syrup sweet malt. This might just be the most maple scented of any of these styles that have the local maple syrup addition. Otherwise, there's a nice dry, herbal hop scent under the sweet maltiness.

A full bodied, soft and lush mouthfeel that also has a very nice, fresh, crisp bite.
The flavor is packed with a very complex malt combo, deep and varied malt aspects with the addition of the maple syrup shining through best. Slighty smokey and earthy-herbal kick. The hops add a very spicy, earthy balance while the malt just keeps delivering a multitude of flavor's. Excellent depth for the style and high grade drinkability.

Bought this beer at the Beer Shop in East Longmeadow, MA. The beer has a red amber appearance with a thin head and patchy lacing. Aromas include a sharp maple and caramel flavor that is really enjoyable. Taste follows the nose with a really sweet, toffee and vanilla flavored beer. Crisp carbonation with the mouthfeel really helps with the vocal flavors. Overall, a nice treat of a beer with excellent carbonation.

 

 

 

 

 

A - Wicked clear gold-amber body, small white head fades immediately and leaves zero lacing. Looks like a bourbon in my snifter.
S - Caramel, toffee, maple is there, but seems a little muted.
T - Caramel malt, toffee, butter, boozy alcohol. Again the maple would seem to be only as an accent.
M - Thick, syrupy, very low carb.
O - An interesting style, but I would have wanted that wasn't quite as strong. Not sure how fresh this one is, so maybe the maple flavor fades over time. I think I'll try it again if I can be sure of a fresh bottle.

 

 

 

A - Poured a golden orange with shades of gold/yellow around the edges. Small light head that dissipated moderately.

S - Rich, heavy maple syrup dominates the nose, underlying toasted malts and burnt sugar.

T - Up-front maple surfaces early and lingers throughout. The maple is sweet, boozy and strong. Toasted and caramel malt backbone with sweet brown sugar and caramel lip-smacking goodness.

M - Syrupy feel, like boozed up maple syrup. Perfect carbonation. Nice finish. Great drinkability for an 8% brew.

O - This is a sweet, boozy, dessert beer. Almost too sweet, but somehow pulls it off. The maple ain't shy, but it is tasty!

22oz bottle purchased as a single from Spirit Haus, Amherst, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint, formed a 1/4" light beige head over the clear coppery amber brew. Head is immediately down to a swirly skim, with slow-falling lace. Aroma is sweet and lightly fruity.

Taste is maple syrup upfront, lightly fruity in the middle, and returns to a maple candy close. Mouthfeel is smooth, and drinkability is very good. One of the first Maple brews I've ever (!!!) had that actually comes off as advertised. Liking this one a lot.