Strike Brewing Co.
Los Altos, CA
This beer recently took first place in the California State Fair in the American Brown Ale category. Versatile in that it is clean and easy drinking by itself but also has good flavor to match well with food.
ABV: 4.8
ABW: 3.8
COLOR: N/A
BITTERNESS: 23
ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 1041
AVAILABLE: CA
Bright, dimensional, more amber than brown ale with a mocha head. Malty nose with a fine hint of hops. Caramel comes through on the palate. The mouthfeel is light, clean and enjoyable. Experience with multigrain bread, pretzels or even steamed oatmeal for brunch.
The pour was crystal clear, favoring dark amber rather than brown. No problem, the aroma presented some proper brown ale hints of caramel and roast and reserved hops. The mouthfeel is light and crisp for the style, but appealing nonetheless. The flavor matched the nose, soft malt background, a bit of caramel support and a notion of roast. There is enough hop flavor and bitterness to back up the malt, making for a fairly well-balanced beer. The finish is refreshing, but this seems more altbier than brown ale, given the color and personality. I rather enjoyed it.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
K. Florian Klemp is an award-winning homebrewer and general hobbyist who thinks there is no more sublime marriage than that of art and science.
