Raccoon Lodge Defroster Winter Ale I

Tap @ Raccoon Lodge (Midwinter Red): Dark copper pour with a thin beige head. Aroma is a light floral hop with some earthy and bready notes. Light rye presence. Flavor is dark and malty with a little more roast. Some citrus and floral comes out, but it retains more of an earthy feel.

Draught, perhaps a little too cold. Lovely copper colour with much hoppiness. Full mouth with lingering finish.

This was a killer beer, I liked it so much in the sampler I had to order a pint, and make sure you try the II and the III variations on the style, one is more of a double IPA, whereas the other comes across as almost barleywine-like. A very big stand up and shout malt character, with a piney, herbal hop bite. Some nice sugary fruits hints come through as well. The finish the best part, because it means I can order another pint.

Had this at a pub in Forest Grove. Odd pale orange color with a foamy white head. Lightly malty with a somewhat creamy texture. I believe it was served to cold, but I tried to warm it up to get some of the intended complexities out of it. Some fruitiness emerged, but in the end it just left a bland and dull impression. Maybe I will try at a different location. Until then...

On tap at the horse brass pub in portland. This was a pretty good winter seasonal, cloudy orange/copper with a medium white head. Very malty nose, a bit fruity and spicy, with a good citrus hopping. Malts provided a nice caramel sweetness up front, fading to a nice even crisp hop finish. Very smooth and fairly heavy on the palate.

Portland Holiday Ale Festival 2004. Bready aroma, light pine hop aroma, some spice and fruit. Light brown and tan head. Flavour is sweet, PNW hops and a sticky mouthfeel. Not bad, but not like a scotch ale at all.