Craft Ale Review: Maine Beer Co. Peeper Ale

This is the first review to hit the new AGtheDir blogspot. I have been meaning to do this for, well, years, and just never afforded myself the time to actually write.

So, here goes:

Maine Beer Company Peeper Ale

Poured from a 1 pint, .9 fluid oz bottle. Printed as 5.5% ABV and a bottling date of 020712

This is a bottled conditioned beer and does contain live yeasts. Sediment was very limited

The beer poured a very clean and clear straw color with slight orange at the base of the glass. Very precise and consistent bubble approached the head of the beer in perfectly straight lines. The head was full, frothy and hyper white, as you can see in the picture. It was so full a head, and such extensive retention, that I poured the beer in 3 parts, emptying the glass before pouring another round. The lacing was strung out in massive soap bubble like rings.

Before the sipping took place, I was able to get some good sniffs. The first sniff was what could be smelled from the apex of the head. This initial sniff pulled out hints of solely of citrus notes. After a little dissipating of the head I took another big sniff inside the glass. This time, it showed of the same light citrus notes, mostly of grapefruit and lemon, but also gave off some sweet, honey like malt aroma. I also picked up just a hair of the hearts of aromatic American hop varieties.

The flavor was were it shined brightest. There was far more going on at this stage. The citrus elements had taken more of a candied essence, especially in that of lemon peel. The honey picked up in the nose now more balanced by the bready and yeasty flavors like biscuit. The hops were more pronounced than in the nose, but are still showing the spicy and oily hearts.

Mouth feel was perfect. Medium bodied and rounded on the tongue. Had mild bittering in the finish. The carbonation may have been slightly under at this point to as it seemed it could have had more uumph there. This was really great to drink, slightly refreshing but with more of a body to slow savor.

I am a big fan of Maine Beer Company, and now a fan of Peeper Ale. This was my first time with this ale, and I will be sure to enjoy it again in the near future. Be sure to keep the earth conscious efforts going, 1% of all MBC sales go to environmental non-profits, spent grain and yeasts go to local farmers and they use 100% wind energy for their electricity. Recycle your bottle!

Cheers!

AG