Duck Hook Cream Ale
Southern Pines Brewing Company

 

Poured into a grip shaped goblet: color is darker than advertised but within style range, head is off white and presents quickly at 1/4 thick then dissipates to nothing but ring on glass sides.

Smell is light, feint biscuit, hint of toasted malt, then some light grassiness. Can advertises this as a Blonde Ale and seems to be more in line with that style.

Taste is light biscuit malt, hint of fruit malt undertones, grass like hops; again drinks more like the Blonde Ale noted on the current can version.

Mouthfeel is crisp, moderate carbonation, moderate sweetness, light bitterness but a crisp finish combined with the carbonation.

Overall a very drinkable ale, pleasant malt notes and balanced bitterness; present version falls in line with the Blonde Ale style profile.

 

Appearance: Pours an ultra clear, faint yellow-hued body with a smallish, sudsy, white head.

Smell: Has a fresh, inviting graininess like sticking your snoot into a just-opened bag of malted barley.

Taste: Crisp, crusty graininess with a just a faint, faint hint of corn and accompanying sweetness. Houses a zip of earthy, spiciness with a touch of floral character. Scantly bitter. Dry, crisp, very clean finish.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Overall: DH has the very welcome level of refreshment and drinkability of a crisp, clean lager.

Perfect beer for after (or during) a round of golf or after a day of yardwork...which I think is it's point! Very similar to New Glarus's Spotted Cow IMHO!

Poured from 12 oz can into pint glass. A 1" white head settles leaving moderate lacing. Color is slightly hazy light gold. Aroma has hints of lemon, lightly toasted malt. Mouthfeel is light and easy drinking with a pleasant finish. Flavor combination of sweet malts, lightly toasted bread, lemony hops. Overall: a very good session ale. If you enjoy Cream Ales or Kolsch style, you will like this beer.

Gifted can from family who just returned from the OB. No freshness date. Says it was fermented with both ale and lager yeasts.
It looks perfect - bright, clear gold with a tight white head that left spatters of lace. Excellent retention of a ring of fine bubbles and a film on top. Under carbonated a bit but occasional bubbles can be seen rising.
Aroma is soft, faint notes of fresh bread and spicey hop- very Czech Pilsner in the nose with distinct "old world" hop scents.
Light-Crisp says the label and that it is. More "noble" hop flavors mix with those of fresh pizza dough and a very tasty toasted grain thing going on to give it some depth.
It's not creamy but I ask you, a Cream Ale is creamy as compared to.... what?
The body is thin but what it lacks in sweetness and mouth feel it makes up for with interesting grain and hop flavors and balanced bitterness.
Finish is clean and dry, again very lager or pils like, no ale character or body but a tasty little beer at 4.3% and obviously very well crafted, and not an easy thing with such a subtle, misunderstood style.

 

Was in Pinehurst for a golf trip last weekend. Was looking for a light drinking good tasting beer to drink while playing golf. Duck Hook was perfect. Great taste, good feel, light and refreshing. Good cream ale. Thanks, SPBC. Also, enjoyed their Hefe.

Pours a straw clear color with minimal head and good carbonation.
A clean mild taste, maybe a hint of sweet.
Has a dry mouth feel with a hint of bitter sneaking in on the backside through the aftertaste.
Overall an easy drinking beer that is a perfect summer choice.
Rates a 'yes' on the would you like to sit down with a 12 pack of this brew scale, thanks in part to the fact that I've hit more than a few duck hooks at Pinehurst

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sounded a little flat opening the can, pours a nearly clear straw, minimal head despite an aggressive pour. Slight biscuit aroma, more bready yeasty dough flavor. Balanced hop bitterness. Cool and refreshing, a nice clean sessionable beer.