Double Fuggled
Neustadt Springs Brewery

 

Off cask at C'est What?, in Toronto.

Its head is more pristine even than a fresh-fallen sheet of snow and more elegant and durable than the Orient's finest silks. It is an angelic, virgin white halo that leaves intricate, indecipherable lacing. Its chilly, orange-amber colour captures the magnificence of a late summer sunset. Indeed, I'm tempted to take a picture for reminiscing later.

I figured dry-hoping would have resulted in a more expressive and emphatic aroma; this smells surprisingly more of toffee-ish malts than green, earthy hops. It is pleasant still, albeit a touch muffled. Hints of heather and candied fruits still transpire but they aren't overtly aromatic nor captivating. Meh. Enough smelling, more drinking.

Apparently the Fuggles were playing hide and seek, they turned up in the taste after all. In a flavour best described as being floral, earthy and bitter, a chunk of candied grapefruit, a bouquet of garden-fresh flowers, including a whole harvest worth of heather, conjure to mind such things as soft pastel tones and warm summer breezes.

The delicate floral quality, the light toffee sweetness, the kiss of citrus and the earthy leafiness flow across the palate like a summer breeze gently ruffles wind chimes. It has a velvety element that I wish could be made into a duvet. The lack of carbonation is perfect for appreciating the delicateness of the flavours that are left lingering on the tongue.

If beer's ultimate purpose is to be easily drunk and greatly enjoyed, then Neustadt Double Fuggled is the pinnacle of brewing excellence. Nevermind dogs, a fresh and properly handled pint of cask ale is a man's best friend, especially when paired with a proper meal and the genuine conviviality of the right pub. And there's the formula for the perfect beer.

On-tap at C'est What.

This beer appears a slightly hazy medium amber hue, with some thin creamy white head, which leaves a filmy ring of lace as it recedes. It smells of fruity biscuit grain, and a bit of savoury spices. The taste is more spice - Indian-food-like - cardamon, coriander, sweet white grain, and strangely, some alcohol warming. The carbonation is quite soft, the body silky smooth and light, and it finishes a bit off-dry, with some more savoury spices lingering.

Not as malty or boozy as the other Scottish Ales that I've encountered, but smooth and easy to drink nonetheless.

I believe this is the scottish ale, but with an extra batch of fuggles thrown in. Deep orange body and smooth creamy head that laces well. Huge herbal smell - a mixture of thyme, lemonbalm and sage - quite interesting and not what I expected in a beer. Full malty flavour, with light floral / herbal hopping. Soft mouthfeel, with little carbonation. Very sessionable on cask, and it didn't take long to disappear from my glass!

Had a second pint a month later, and the herbal character was almost entirely absent, although it had been replaced with a pleasant creaminess. Still good, just different.

Cask at C'est What, left fom the previous day's annual festival. Much less Scottish taste that their Scottish,looks and tastes like a cross with an Old Ale. Barley, malt. Soapy head. Starts sweet and finishes sourish and always cushioned by the malt. Medium plus mouthfeel.