Double Haul IPA, Kettle House Brewing Company, Missoula Montana

Our next brew announces a first for the blog. I, like many, will freely admit my wariness of canned beer - but we shouldn't let that interfere with giving them a try. I don't know much about the Kettle House Brewing Company. Their website announces they use cans because they are recyclable (made from 80% recycled material), opaque (less susceptible to flavor changes), and easily transportable. Good reasons, let's give it a try. This was a gift from my friend Jason - he picked it up on a recent move from Boston to SF, so Jason - this one's for you - Thanks!

I'm not sure what their availability is - this is my first encounter. It is a 16oz can at 6.6% with 65 IBU's and made with Cascade hops in the bittering, flavoring, and finishing.

It pours bright amber with a nice tight head.

The aroma is all hops, of course. Big, bitter, fresh flowery hop - to get a good idea of what Cascade hops are about - this is the beer to try.

The taste is big crisp hop. It has a medium/full body and the bitterness expands right after sipping. It finishes flowery and bitter - a great testament to hops! It is not overly hoppy and has a nice crispness that keeps the palate lively and fresh.

The aftertaste is mild bitter and flowery.

This is by far the BEST canned beer I've ever had - don't let the aluminum fool you!

Cheers!

Glacier Pilot Winter Warmer, Lang Creek Brewery, Marion Montana

Our next beer arrives from Marion, Montana - I had it last year, but don't remember it too well, so let's refresh....

It pours nearly opaque with a tight head.

The aroma has big notes of vanilla malt, there is sweetness and mild caramel.

In the taste, the vanilla is very aggressive at first, but is fades to sweet malt. Mild roastiness takes over in the body. The sweetness seems to build throughout the beer. There is mild bitterness, but not enough to balance the sweetness.

The aftertaste is roasty malt sweetness with tones of caramel.

This is an interesting winter warmer, but it tends toward the sweet side. If you are a fan of the vanilla/caramel malt beers, this is a decent one to try. I think it makes for a nice desert or stand alone late evening beer. I'm unable to access their website right now for details, but will try again to see if it's online tomorrow -

I found mine at Belmont Station here in Portland. I've seen it at a few stores, so I think their distribution is decent for the Northwest.

Cheers!

Powder Hound, Big Sky Brewing Company, Missoula Montana

Once in awhile, I get a beer that makes me instantly want to try another of the same - not necessarily because it tastes so good, but because I feel like I'm missing something. 3 years ago, my winter warmer of choice was the Powder Hound from Big Sky Brewing Company. This year, it fell a little lackluster and I will try another next time I go to my local beer store. I think it may have been a fluke, and I'll chime in later with an update - for now, here was my experience...

It pours a deep copper with a tight head.

The smell is very subtle with mild malt and a slight sweetness.

The taste is mostly malt with a medium body. There is a determined sweetness with a slight bitterness. It has a scotch-esque (beer not liquor) taste to it. There is not much depth to it and I will classify it as a 1-dimensional beer.

The aftertaste is sweet and malty.

So it isn't a bad beer, just that amidst winter warmers, it seems to be a little one-dimensional in it's taste. It's maltiness makes for a good cold-weather beer.

Cheers!