Moose’s Tooth Brewing Co.
Anchorage, AK
Available: AK
Named after the sheer granite peak in Denali National Park, this brewery has grown from a 7 bbl system to a 30 bbl system in six years. Each 30 bbl batch of the IPA contains over 60 lbs. of 6 varieties of hops, and is only available on draft.
Alcohol by weight: 4.64
Color: 13.6
Bitterness: 63.5
Gravity: 1065
Slightly lighter and more golden than other IPAs, Fairweather is anything but light in its big hoppy nose and malty palate. While all the excellent elements are present, perhaps because it was bottled and recently shipped the individual components seemed disjointed. On draft, as it is normally sold, or with some age in the bottle, I am sure it is a harmonious well-balanced brew. We served it with braised radicchio, warm spinach salad and stuffed Anaheim peppers, to rave reviews.
A wonderful fresh and full floral hop aroma greets my senses. Served cold the chill haze doesn't bother me nor interfere one bit with the extraordinary balance of malt, hop and IPA flavors. I'd like to make a beer like this. While the hops are assertive they pleasantly don't assault my palate. I want to keep drinking more. I can't wait to enjoy the other two samples in a place other than in front of my computer!
Amber-colored beer with a lively beaded head, and a notably 'English' resiny, grassy hop aroma balanced by delicate citrus fruit. Rich malt and tart fruit clamber across the tongue, while the long finish is beautifully balanced between rich, creamy malt, bitter fruit and spicy hops. An uncompromisingly hoppy and bitter beer that would make an ideal companion for Indian dishes or pungent blue cheese.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
