Red Hammer
Paddock Wood Brewing Co.

 

has some strong boozy notes 2 and 1/2 finger of head red like tan color nice change of pace from drinking lagers and good one in the mix pack they have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed a bottle from a mixed pack. Paddock Wood is one of my favorite Western Canadian craft breweries and although I've had this beer many times, a proper review involves a specific tasting session (in my view). This beer pours a very dark almost cola-like brown hue with a decent dose of brown foam, considerably darker than many European Marzen/Oktoberfests. This is in fact a red ale rather than an Oktoberfest, although I think the intent is to do a hybrid style, an ale that tastes like a traditional European lager. In a nutshell, it works. Aroma speaks to a rich malty depth and some dark fruits, with a whiff of booze consistent with a higher than average ABV. Taste is consistent with this but not mediocre and well worth sampling. Fruity top notes evoke plums and cherries but there is a rich underlay of dark bread crust, mellow molasses, biscuit, grain husk, a little yeasty funkiness, and brown spice that reminds one of a less sweet cola. Is that a sneaky hint of burnt banana peel? A floral hop perfume like sweet roses and fresh hay. Overall assessment is that this brew features more assertive and bold malt flavors than many European Marzen/Oktoberfests, perhaps less complex but still with ample character that reveals itself as you go. The ale approach also seems to accentuate the fruit, as one would expect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A - hazy red-brown, one finger of tan head dissipated to a thin cover, fairly consistent lacing around
S - big nutty malt aroma, some earthiness and light brown sugar, touch of leafiness
T - strong mix of nutty and blood-like flavours more consistent with a dunkel, light toffee, grains, and leafy hops in the background
M - medium body with a smooth feel and appropriate carbonation, starts sticky and finishes with a bit of a mineral mouth coating feel
O - this beer grew on me the more of it I had, definitely a hearty type brew that brought me back to dark brews I had in Munich at Oktoberfest, well worth a purchase