I could, I think, regale you with stories of the many evenings I spent inside this brewery. Unfortunately, most of you probably would not care. And I don't blame you. My brother and I would go to this brewery after work, and we would tell stories and sample from their wares whenever we got the chance. The distinct smell of wort permeated the atmosphere as soon as you opened the door to the restaurant area. It would be that aroma that triggers a sense memory every time I review a beer that is particularly heavy with that mash smell.
First sip is a bit more grainy than the aroma told me it would be, and it is backed by a honey sweetness. Some light spices or herbs seem to have crept into the process in addition to the floral hops to make the beer a little more special than it would otherwise be. The problem is that the sip is, ultimately, forgettable. It is certainly a good tasting beer, and some beer snobs would point out that it is a Vienna style lager rather than a pilsner, but that's not the kind of thing we do here.
Tip-in is light lemon, honey sweet, and indeterminate spices. The middle rushes carbonation to the roof of the mouth as the rest of the beer deceptively smoothly washes down the gullet with grains joining the ensemble and a sweetness like corn rising to help. The finish starts a bit dry, but the honey sweetness comes back to eliminate that for a somewhat spicy trail off.
Bottom Line: It's a solid, working-class beer.
3.5/5
