Published: Sunday, March 29, 2009
Spring brews: How five local seasonals rank
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Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald
Spring beers (from left) Diamond Knot Brewing - Slane's Ale, Redhook Ale Brewery - Copperhook, Lazy Boy Brewing - Imperial Red, Pyramid Breweries - Rollick Amber Lager and Scuttlebutt Brewing - Mai Bock
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Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald Spring beers (from left) Diamond Knot Brewing - Slane's Ale, Redhook Ale Brewery - Copperhook, Lazy Boy Brewing - Imperial Red, Pyramid Breweries - Rollick Amber Lager and Scuttlebutt Brewing - Mai Bock
Just because the days are getting longer doesn't mean the beers are getting lighter.
Local brewers have started pouring their latest seasonals, and like the Northwest's spring, these lagers and ales tiptoe toward sunnier flavors, but ultimately stay a bit dark.
Many Snohomish County brewers aren't bottling their spring seasonals for the grocery aisle. Instead, several are selling them in growlers -- 64-ounce glass jugs sold at taprooms and sealed with a twist-off cap.
We grabbed a few growlers, a couple of six packs and some friends to see what the seasonals had to offer. Here's what we found.
Slane's Ale
From: Diamond Knot Brewery, Mukilteo
Flavor: Diamond Knot brewed this ale for St. Paddy's Day, and is pouring it in March and April. It didn't remind us of spring -- just good beer. Slane's carries a strong caramel aroma that never overpowers its smooth flavor or leaves an aftertaste.
Alcohol by volume: 6.7 percent
Served in: 64-ounce growler
Grade: 3 1/2 stars (out of 4)
Imperial Red
From: Lazy Boy Brewing, Everett
Flavor: Lazy Boy may add this recently unveiled beer to its year-round lineup. We can see why. Its rich, hoppy taste is a little out of step with the season, but completely satisfying. It's probably worth mentioning, though, that this red is not for the meek. Its high alcohol content is masked by the beer's flavor, and can sneak up on you.
Alcohol by volume: 8.3 percent
Served in: 64-ounce growler
Grade: 3 stars
Mai Bock
From: Scuttlebutt Brewing Co., Everett
Flavor: Scuttlebutt's Mai Bock tastes the most like a spring beer. One person even compared it to a garden: fresh, sweet and easy to enjoy. With a slightly fruity flavor balanced by a malty taste, the beer is on the lighter side.
Alcohol by volume: 7.59 percent
Served in: 64-ounce growler
Grade: 3 stars
Copperhook
From: Redhook Ale Brewery, Woodinville
Flavor: The aroma of this beer reminds us of apple juice, which must have been caused by the citrus scent Redhook touts in press materials. The beer satisfies with a clean flavor and minimal aftertaste. During spring's rare sunny days, it should work well.
Alcohol by volume: 5.7 percent
Served in: 12-ounce bottle
Grade: 2 1/2 stars
Rollick Amber Lager
From: Pyramid Breweries, Seattle
Flavor: We thought this beer would work well with a burger. It's a bit heavy, almost like an IPA on a diet. While its hoppy flavor is also a bit skunky, it wins some points for steering clear of gimmicky flavor infusions.
Alcohol by volume: 6 percent
Served in: 12-ounce bottle
Grade: 2 stars
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com
Local brewers have started pouring their latest seasonals, and like the Northwest's spring, these lagers and ales tiptoe toward sunnier flavors, but ultimately stay a bit dark.
Many Snohomish County brewers aren't bottling their spring seasonals for the grocery aisle. Instead, several are selling them in growlers -- 64-ounce glass jugs sold at taprooms and sealed with a twist-off cap.
We grabbed a few growlers, a couple of six packs and some friends to see what the seasonals had to offer. Here's what we found.
Slane's Ale
From: Diamond Knot Brewery, Mukilteo
Flavor: Diamond Knot brewed this ale for St. Paddy's Day, and is pouring it in March and April. It didn't remind us of spring -- just good beer. Slane's carries a strong caramel aroma that never overpowers its smooth flavor or leaves an aftertaste.
Alcohol by volume: 6.7 percent
Served in: 64-ounce growler
Grade: 3 1/2 stars (out of 4)
Imperial Red
From: Lazy Boy Brewing, Everett
Flavor: Lazy Boy may add this recently unveiled beer to its year-round lineup. We can see why. Its rich, hoppy taste is a little out of step with the season, but completely satisfying. It's probably worth mentioning, though, that this red is not for the meek. Its high alcohol content is masked by the beer's flavor, and can sneak up on you.
Alcohol by volume: 8.3 percent
Served in: 64-ounce growler
Grade: 3 stars
Mai Bock
From: Scuttlebutt Brewing Co., Everett
Flavor: Scuttlebutt's Mai Bock tastes the most like a spring beer. One person even compared it to a garden: fresh, sweet and easy to enjoy. With a slightly fruity flavor balanced by a malty taste, the beer is on the lighter side.
Alcohol by volume: 7.59 percent
Served in: 64-ounce growler
Grade: 3 stars
Copperhook
From: Redhook Ale Brewery, Woodinville
Flavor: The aroma of this beer reminds us of apple juice, which must have been caused by the citrus scent Redhook touts in press materials. The beer satisfies with a clean flavor and minimal aftertaste. During spring's rare sunny days, it should work well.
Alcohol by volume: 5.7 percent
Served in: 12-ounce bottle
Grade: 2 1/2 stars
Rollick Amber Lager
From: Pyramid Breweries, Seattle
Flavor: We thought this beer would work well with a burger. It's a bit heavy, almost like an IPA on a diet. While its hoppy flavor is also a bit skunky, it wins some points for steering clear of gimmicky flavor infusions.
Alcohol by volume: 6 percent
Served in: 12-ounce bottle
Grade: 2 stars
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com
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