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Chuckanut Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I go to Chuckanut for their superb lagers, and generally don't get too excited about their ales. This is an exception. Light, crisp and drinkable, but with the full malt profile similar to their Helles lager. Very detectable fresh yeast undertones. I shy away from the British Pale Ales as a rule, because there's nowhere to hide even the slight off-flavors that typically spoil this style. Not so here---very clean ale.

 

Another of the local beers brewed for the new, local club-level Hackey-Ball team, The United. Available only at the brewery, The Copper Hog (home pub for the United) and in the beer garden at the United's games.

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a clean, clear light gold color with 3/4 of an inch of white head that had moderate retention and lacing. The aroma featured nice crisp, earthy grains, some subtle hopping and just a tad of a light yeast scent.

The flavor profile matched the scents very closely, just more focused and well-defined. The body was very good, crisp and clean, with a nice, neutral finish that won't have a lingering effect on one's palate. Drinkability was wonderful, you could sit and drink this beauties all day. Overall, a very nice beer that doesn't really fit into a neat style category. The breweries website calls it an "Export Ale", the brewer has said that it's modeled after a Helles Lager and to me it seemed like a cross between a Pilsner and a Vienna Lager. Whatever. It's a very tasty brew that is worth going out of your way to try.