Beer of the Week: Diamond Knot Brewing’s Fog Bank Fall Ale

Published 1:30 am Sunday, September 4, 2016

Fog Bank Fall Ale, Diamond Knot Brewing, Mukilteo

Style: Marzen

Stats: 5.6 percent ABV, 25 IBU

Available: On tap at all Diamond Knot locations and in 22-ounce bottles where Diamond Knot is sold

My thoughts: The rain returned in earnest this past week and football kicked off this weekend. That’s right, fall is here.

The folks at Diamond Knot welcome it. Their Fog Bank Fall Ale is a quintessential fall beer. I took one sip and my thoughts turned to brightly colored leaves, gray clouds and men in tights chasing a pigskin. Have I mentioned: I love fall.

The Fog Bank Fall Ale has the deep Amber color of a classic Marzen beer, courtesy the Munich and Vienna malts Diamond Knot uses to brew it. The flavor of malt dominates with a subtle hop finish, the trademark of German beers.

The big difference between Diamond Knot’s Marzen and classic styles of the beer is the use of ale yeast instead of lager yeast. According to Diamond Knot’s brewers, the use of ale yeast gives the beer a deeper flavor than its lager yeast cousins. I guess, except if it hadn’t been for the name I would have sworn it was lagered when I tried it. But what do I know?

One thing I do know is fall is back and the leaves aren’t the only things turning colors. Beers are changing from light pale yellows to ambers, oranges and reds. Fog Bank Fall Ale is a great way to kick off the change.

From the brewery: Fog Bank Fall Ale’s crispness keeps you refreshed through the end of summer, and its malty sweetness is perfect for fall nights. This Marzen-inspired ale pours reddish amber in color with bright, crisp flavor and a complex malty body.

Another new release

Pekko Pale Ale, SnoTown Brewing: Light bodied single hop pale ale brewed with Pekko hops. Available on draft at the brewery.