Twelve Saranac Beers of Xmas #11 - Single Malt
Written: Jan 03 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Interesting flavor
Cons: Not interesting - or tasty - enough to warrant another try
The Bottom Line: I went into this one with high expectations, and found it pretty lacking. Not a bad beer, but there is NOTHING remarkable about it.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Saranac Single Malt |
"On the eleventh day of Christmas, I knew no man nor woman's fault, for I was about to drink Saranac Single Malt."
• about SARANAC •
Saranac beers are brewed by the Matt Brewing Company, a brewery located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York. Over a century old, the brewery is currently being run by the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family (Nick and Fred, respectively). Today, the company brews a number of different beers (27 different beers in the recent past, including seasonals and limited editions), as well as 5 different soft drinks.
• about SINGLE MALT •
As I opened the bottle, I was eager to try what I thought was Saranac's unique creation, Saranac Single Malt. The beer uses a slow aging of Scottish Maris Otter Malt and a touch of English Fuggle hops. According to the bottle, the malt is "traditionally used in the distillery industry."
The beer poured to a nice caramel color with a fairly decent head. The nose was intriguing - a very malty character stands out immediately. The first tastes carry that flavor with a rich carbonation and a slight bitterness from the hops.
And then I waited for the uniqueness to come through. Would there be a Scottish whisky flavor, or would it have a heavy malty tone, speaking of the earth? Well, the flavor of the beer is intriguing, but not overwhelming - nor is there any distinct character that I can put my finger on. The maltiness they speak of is there, with a strange hint of alcohol that isn't common in most beers. But there isn't much more to it than that - a vaguely malted and 'different' beer that doesn't move me at all, despite its pedigree of ingredients.
• final THOUGHTS •
While it is better than most of the domestics, I can't say that I would try it again. I nice experiment perhaps, but they are better served sticking with some of their other attempts.
• random BEER FACT •
Babylonians took their beer seriously - to maintain quality, it was decreed that any commercial beermaker who sold unfit beer would be drowned in his/her own brews.
For More Information
www.http://www.saranac.com/
• related SARANAC REVIEWS •
1st Day of Xmas - Saranac Pale Ale
2nd Day of Xmas - Saranac Stout
3rd Day of Xmas - Saranac Black Forest
4th Day of Xmas - Saranac Caramel Porter
5th Day of Xmas - Saranac Belgian White
6th Day of Xmas - Saranac Black and Tan
7th Day of Xmas - Saranac Adirondack Amber
8th Day of Xmas - Saranac Indian Pale Ale
9th Day of Xmas - Saranac Golden Pilsener
10th Day of Xmas - Saranac Traditional Lager
12th Day of Xmas - Saranac Season's Best
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 478
Trusted by: 177 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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