Inglenook American Strong Ale
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

So, the taste that is "American" in its hop influence but is also deeply malten with toffee, coffee-cake and toffee comes to life in what's somewhat an Amber Ale but also wanting to be an IPA with deep pine and citrus- what's this style to be?

Deep red with rusty overtones, its ruddish pour brings about a dense body that's reluctant to allow any of its ominous rust hues to emit. Yet it sheds a patient head of ivory foam that caps the beer through half the session before pulling apart. Light on lace, random pockets of lace adorn the glass in the beer's wake.

Surely toffee and toasted in its initial aromas, a quick strike from hops rise to command the nose with citrus, pine and a distinct scent of fresh-cut grass. All the while, a notion of candied apple wrap around the malt and hops and gives a mild complexity to the scent but also dulls it as well.

To taste, the toffee, coffee-cake, and light molasses coaxes the tongue and allows for its fruit-forward middle palate to take command. Big on red apple, the complementary hop flavor of orange and grapefruit round out the orchard fruit with a pithy, zesty and resinous taste that trends bitter and robust to close.

Its semi-full body is robust because of its dextrin-rich bready texture to start, but much of that is quick to dissolve as the beer trends toasty, dry and resinous in texture as well. Its alcohol warmth is largely masked by the apple character and lingering sweetness; giving the finish a balances sense.

With the better taste of American Strong Ales in mind, I find Inglenook very enjoyable- I'd prefer to see a toastier, drier and much more bitter beer to ensue, especially without the distraction of that's fore-running apple taste.