Published: Monday, September 29, 2008
Take one down and pass it around ... beer, that is
Maybe it's because Oktoberfest is under way in Germany, or maybe it's all the beer commercials on TV during football games, or maybe it's just the earlier sunsets.
Whatever the case, we need a drink, and this fall, we have options.
Brewers throughout the Northwest are selling their seasonals: full-bodied fall beers with the same deep reds and fiery oranges of the changing leaves.
In the pursuit of good journalism, we drank -- and drank and drank -- a sampling of five beers -- four from Washington, and one from outside the Northwest. Read on for our bleary-eyed findings.
By Herald Writer Andy Rathbun
arathbun@heraldnet.com
Harvest Moon Ale
From: Snoqualmie Falls Brewing, brewed in Snoqualmie
Flavor: Among our small group of four tasters, three pointed to this as a favorite. It has the faint flavor of hops -- that vaguely bitter pinch -- and is as crisp as October itself. There's nothing at fault here.
Alcohol by volume: 5.3 percent
Served in: 22-ounce bottles
Grade: Four stars
Late Harvest Autumn Ale
From: Redhook Ale Brewery, Woodinville
Flavor: Redhook's seasonal balances a sweet, malty flavor with the faint nudge of hops. It feels fresh and light, and has little aftertaste.
Alcohol by volume: 5.9 percent
Served in: 12-ounce bottles
Grade: Three stars
Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale
From: Blue Moon Brewing Co., Montreal, Canada
Flavor: Cloves, nutmeg and allspice gave a mild, ciderlike tang to this ale. Out of all the fall beers we sampled, it had the most distinctly autumnal flavor. It also tastes the least like an actual beer: The spices, commonly used in pumpkin pie, feel a little gimmicky.
Alcohol by volume: 5.6 percent
Serve in: 12-ounce bottles
Grade: Three stars
Broken Rake
From: Pyramid Breweries, Seattle
Flavor: Pyramid's fall beer has a bit of a kick, with a sharper, hoppy flavor. It is completely reliable, albeit a bit traditional -- one person mentioned it tasted "beerier" than others. Its minimal aftertaste makes it easy to drink and enjoy.
Alcohol by volume: 6.1 percent
Served in: 12-ounce bottles
Grade: Three stars
Weizenbock
From: Scuttlebutt Brewing Co., Everett
Flavor: We like our local brewery, Scuttlebutt, so we were surprised to find ourselves put off by its Weizenbock. The strong wheat beer packs a pleasing punch, but most were turned off by its aftertaste, which has a vodkalike linger.
Alcohol by volume: 7.9 percent
Served in: 22-ounce bottles
Grade: Two stars
Whatever the case, we need a drink, and this fall, we have options.
Brewers throughout the Northwest are selling their seasonals: full-bodied fall beers with the same deep reds and fiery oranges of the changing leaves.
In the pursuit of good journalism, we drank -- and drank and drank -- a sampling of five beers -- four from Washington, and one from outside the Northwest. Read on for our bleary-eyed findings.
By Herald Writer Andy Rathbun
arathbun@heraldnet.com
Harvest Moon Ale
From: Snoqualmie Falls Brewing, brewed in Snoqualmie
Flavor: Among our small group of four tasters, three pointed to this as a favorite. It has the faint flavor of hops -- that vaguely bitter pinch -- and is as crisp as October itself. There's nothing at fault here.
Alcohol by volume: 5.3 percent
Served in: 22-ounce bottles
Grade: Four stars
Late Harvest Autumn Ale
From: Redhook Ale Brewery, Woodinville
Flavor: Redhook's seasonal balances a sweet, malty flavor with the faint nudge of hops. It feels fresh and light, and has little aftertaste.
Alcohol by volume: 5.9 percent
Served in: 12-ounce bottles
Grade: Three stars
Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale
From: Blue Moon Brewing Co., Montreal, Canada
Flavor: Cloves, nutmeg and allspice gave a mild, ciderlike tang to this ale. Out of all the fall beers we sampled, it had the most distinctly autumnal flavor. It also tastes the least like an actual beer: The spices, commonly used in pumpkin pie, feel a little gimmicky.
Alcohol by volume: 5.6 percent
Serve in: 12-ounce bottles
Grade: Three stars
Broken Rake
From: Pyramid Breweries, Seattle
Flavor: Pyramid's fall beer has a bit of a kick, with a sharper, hoppy flavor. It is completely reliable, albeit a bit traditional -- one person mentioned it tasted "beerier" than others. Its minimal aftertaste makes it easy to drink and enjoy.
Alcohol by volume: 6.1 percent
Served in: 12-ounce bottles
Grade: Three stars
Weizenbock
From: Scuttlebutt Brewing Co., Everett
Flavor: We like our local brewery, Scuttlebutt, so we were surprised to find ourselves put off by its Weizenbock. The strong wheat beer packs a pleasing punch, but most were turned off by its aftertaste, which has a vodkalike linger.
Alcohol by volume: 7.9 percent
Served in: 22-ounce bottles
Grade: Two stars
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