Harvest Ale
District ChopHouse & Brewery

I was in DC for an all-expense paid trip to a conference and they threw a private party for us one night in the upstairs of the ChopHouse. Not too shabby, eh? Neither was the beer!

Poured a very dark brown color. Medium-sized off-white head with good retention. The aroma was very mild with some sweet malts and very little hops (if at all). The taste was great however. Very rich and complex, there's a lot of maltiness and sweetness going on here. Creamy mouthfeel makes this one an easy drinker.

Notes from the brewer on the chalkboard said this one was brewed with butternut squash and honey. I can't recall ever trying a beer brewed with a vegetable besides pumpkin. Good stuff.

Sampled in early November '04, this beer was served too cold. It had a one finger pale beig head with good retention and excellent lace hanging above clear copper-brown liquid. Mild caramel greets the nose. The mouth is well carbonated and fairly light. The taste opens with mild sweet caramel malt, subdued but luscious. There is almost no hops response, as malt is king here. Caramel lingers through the finish and into the aftertaste. There's a bit of hops bite in the jowels as the liquid goes down, to provide a hint of balance. I prefer mine hoppier, but my wife would love this quality quaffer.