Emergency Malt Kit
Rhinegeist Brewery

 

 

 

1/17/17 can

 

 

 

 

 

12 ounce can, canned on 110416. Served in a Rhinegeist pint glass, the beer pours a mostly clear reddish/copper color with about an inch and a half off-white head that stayed around for a while. There's also a good amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like toasted malt, toffee, tea, dark fruit and some cocoa. I think the taste is pretty much just like the aroma, but with some caramel and earthiness noticeable too. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit coating, and it's smooth and easy enough to drink. I thought it was a good Scottish style ale, glad I picked up some. Nice canlaboration here! $9.99 a 6-pack.

 

 

Collaboration with Sun King Brewery. Canned on 11/4/16. 12oz can poured into a tulip. Pours a deep auburn with ruby hues; small light khaki head that fades leaving nice retention and decent lacing. The aromas are obviously malt forward. Hints of caramel, cocoa and dark fruits. Some cherries in the mix. The flavors basically follow the nose. More dark fruits. Raisin, plum and figs are in the mix. More cherries in the mix, likely black cherries. More caramel and cocoa with some hints of toffee and toast. Solid toasted malt backbone. Subtle and mild warmth in the finish, but nothing crazy. Alcohol goes unnoticed. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium-bodied with moderate carbonation. It's slick, fluffy and smooth.

This is a solid collaboration. It's not flashy, but it's not supposed to be. Nice flavors. It's enjoyable and very fitting for this time of year.

 

Aroma is floral, nutty, with hints of caramel and fruity specialty malt. Becomes a touch metallic.

Flavor reveals more fruity notes initially, with a bready, slightly sweet, toasted malt backbone that lingers.

In cahoots with Sun King brewers over in Indianapolis, a malt-forward flavor arrives just in the nick of time. Perhaps running from all things hoppy, this emergency beer will easily save the day.

Emergency Malt Kit is a throwback to the somber and sensible Scottish ales of lighter and more drinkable fare. Ruddy brown with toasty golden edges, a frothy off-white foam begins to build. Sorghum sweet to the nose, hints of toast, coffee and chocolate form a malty impression. Similarly, the taste is sweet with toffee, horehound coffee and a hint of sweet and spicy licorice.

As the malts nestle on the tongue, its sweet, creamy and toasty taste is complex beyond its strength. Peppery, woodsy and slightly boggish, the middle palate has a faint earthiness that's slim with fresh pulled tobacco, nutty columbian coffee and grilled grape, cherry and date. Modestly bitter, the hops seem bark-like with a broad English-like herbal bitterness.

Medium bodied but trending light and dry, the beer's toasty edges and its mild coffee and cocoa flavors assist the drying action while the tepid hop bitterness does much the same. Certainly not with the depth or complexity as authentic Scottish varieties, Emergency Malt Kit benefits from a clean and simplistic grain profile for a comforting and surprisingly refreshing session.

Easily one of the best Scottish Ales I've ever tasted. Perfectly smooth and chocolatey without being overly sweet.

 

Tried this alongside the barrel aged version at the brewery - perhaps I didn't set it up for success stacking it alongside its specialty brother. Tasted more muted and pedestarain overall. Amber pour with a light ring of head. Roasted malt, faint caramel, lightly burnt sugar,
molasses on the nose and taste. Finishes light almost watery. Pretty good beer.