It wasn't until I sat down to publish this review that I went to look up where Panther Creek Brews actually is. Turns out, I drove past them this pas week, and I didn't even know it. I don't remember a sign on the place, and I know I would have recognized the logo. I suspect they don't have a tasting room or anything like that, so why bother advertising, I guess. With their beers having been pretty darn good so far, they speak for themselves!
The beer pours very dark, and the head does not erupt particularly egregiously. The color is actually more of a deep ruby red when you shine light directly through it, and it is very clear. The aroma is smoked malt and brown sugar. There's not really a whole lot more to say about the appearance of the beer. From just tilting it to catch the aroma, I see that there will be at least some lacing left on the sides, and that is certainly always welcome. The bubbles floating in the center of the beer look vaguely like a picture of Yoda's head. If that's intentional, these guys are awesome.First sip is very smooth. The smoky malt combined with the brown sugar has both a sweetness and a dryness to the experience, but it lacks any harshness that would be experienced with something that had a more predominantly hop aspect. I wouldn't call the beverage refreshing, but it is smooth and un-daunting. Most scotch ales are a bit more difficult to approach, and they're best left to more experienced drinkers. I'm not saying I would advise that this be someone's first beer, but this is a good introduction to what a scotch ale can be.
Tip-in is sweet brown sugar that has been lightly seared and combined with that thick, smoky malt. The middle has carbonation alighting the top of the mouth while the smooth, syrup-like smoke and earth travel underneath with sweetness still being imbued to it by the brown sugar. The finish is a sudden dryness that is followed by an echo of smoke and burnt embers for the trail off.
Bottom Line: That is a pretty delicious beer.
4.0/5