Homer King & Wings Special Bitter Ale

Brewed by Homer Brewing Co.
Style: Bitter
Homer, Alaska USA

23-Jan-08 (Draft: Homer Brewing Co. in Homer, AK) Like some of the other Homer brews, the nose doesn’t inspire an immediate sip. This beer smells a little farmy, horsey and earthy and doesn’t project much hop aroma at all. But also following the similar pattern, the flavor is a marked improvement over the aroma. Grainy and pale malt flavor is minimally sweet and is balanced in the evolution by a floral hop character. The beer finishes with moderately bitter, spicy flavor of Columbus hops for a clean, crisp finish and nice drinkability. Medium bodied with gentle carbonation. On the pour, half an inch of off-white head sits atop the golden-amber and slightly hazy body before settling to a thin layer. Wide rings of lace decorate the glass. The only thing this beer needs is a better nose because otherwise, it’s entirely enjoyable.

Draft pint at Humpy’s. Ruddy brown-red, almost tea-colored. Relatively still. Metallic-hoppy aroma. Tangy and sticking to the teeth, this finishes nice and dry. Caramel undertow. (#3294, 1/17/2008)

On tap at the 2005 Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival. Murky golden color with a thin off white head. Sweet hoppy nose. Grainy sweetness with an initial fruitiness that is quickly taken over by the hoppy finish. You can taste the alcohol. It is a little harsh in the finish, but an okay bitter.