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Canned Beer Tasting Notes

All About Beer Magazine - Volume 30, Issue 3

July 1, 2009 By Greg Kitsock

Fat Tire Amber Ale

New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO

There are subtle but noticeable differences between the bottled and canned versions of this much-sought after brand. The bottled Fat Tire pours a brilliantly clear copper color. The canned version, which contains a small amount of live yeast, has a slight haze. Bottled Fat Tire has a biscuity, toffeeish sweetness, followed by a short burst of hops in the finish and a faint whiff of burnt toast. Fat Tire from the cans also has these flavors, plus a soft, lemony fruitiness. Regardless of which container you enjoy it from, this is a well-balanced, quaffable session beer. –GK

Moose Drool

Big Sky Brewing Co., Missoula, MT

“Moose Drool” is an unappetizing name for a very appetizing beer, mahogany brown in color and gentle but refreshing. This brown ale bears more similarity to the English Newcastle Brown than to hoppier American versions of the style, although at 5.1 percent it’s slightly stronger than the Newcastle. Moose Drool has notes of chocolate caramel, brown sugar and molasses and a bit of roast in the finish. It used to be marketed in 16-ounce aluminum bottles but now is available in standard 12-ounce cans. The brewery also packages the citrusy Trout Slayer Wheat in aluminum. –GK

Caldera IPA

Caldera Brewing Co., Ashland, OR

The aroma, full of grapefruit and pine sap, screams Pacific Northwest hops. I don’t know if it is the hoppiest beer available in cans—Oskar Blues’ Gordon might give it a run for its money—but it should please fans of West Coast IPAs. Munich and crystal malt provide a sweet, toffeeish backdrop to this deep amber ale with the thick, clingy white foam. The beer comes from a tiny microbrewery: Caldera Brewing made just over 2,200 barrels last year, but it ships its beers (it also cans its pale and amber ales) as far away as Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. –GK

Mama’s Little Yella Pils

Oskar Blues, Longmont, CO

Straw gold in color, Mama’s Little Yella Pils has the peppery aroma characteristic of Saaz hops against a dry, crackery, malty background. At 5.3 percent alcohol by volume, it’s Oskar Blues’ lightest canned offering to date, the antithesis of the black-as-pitch, roasty Ten Fidy Imperial Stout. According to brewery spokesman Marty Jones, the pils was released as a spring/summer seasonal but might be promoted to year-around beer if sales warrant. “There aren’t many all-malt pilsners in cans,” notes Jones. Off the bat, we can think of only Pilsner Ukiah from California’s Ukiah Brewing Co. and the Pikeland Pils from the Sly Fox Brewing Co. in Pennsylvania. –GK

Third Eye Pale Ale

Steamworks Brewing Co., Durango, CO

The can features an emerald-colored figure who might be a cousin of the Jolly Green Giant, and at first glance this appears to be a container for lima beans or creamed corn. But pop open the top and you’re greeted by the familiar pine/citrus aroma of a solid example of the American pale ale style. There are softer, subtler notes of peach, a toffeeish sweetness and a slightly herbal finish. The brewery also cans its Steam Engine Lager. –GK

Big Swell IPA

Maui Brewing Co., Lahaina, HI

Pours a slightly cloudy golden color. Aromas of fragrant citrus, pine and baking bread. The medium-bodied beer is full of apricots, pine resin, and English Kent Golding hops. Finishes with long, iron-like bitterness—a real American-style IPA. –Staff

Porkslap Pale Ale

Butternuts Beer and Ale, Garrattsville, NY

Confusingly, the can is labeled “Farmhouse Ale,” but that tag describes the brewery—which is on a farm—rather than a beer style. This pale ale pours amber tinged with green. Restrained aroma of sweet malt. Toasty flavors, prickly carbonation, and notes of nutmeg, spice cake and ginger ale. Crisp finish. –Staff

Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer

21st Amendment Brewery, San Francisco, CA

Straw-colored with a scant head. Fruity, sweet aroma, though not specifically watermelon. The flavor, though, is of Jolly Rancher watermelon candy and strawberry birthday cake with vanilla icing. Slightly slippery mouthfeel and a birthday cake finish. –Staff

666 Devil’s Pale Ale

Great Lakes Brewing, Toronto, ON

Devil’s Pale Ale refers to the accursed number 666 in the kilos of malt (666), kilos of hops (6.66), date of conception (6/6/06)—you get the picture. This pours the color of tea: pale it’s not. Sweet, malty aroma. Medium mouthfeel, with round, roasty malt and a touch of citrus. Sturdy, bitter finish, metallic and rough at the edges, but enjoyable. A working man’s pale ale. –Staff

Ram’s Head IPA

Top of the Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Chapel Hill, NC

Pours bright amber with a fine, tight head. Aromas of spicy hops and caramel. Big, malty flavor with lots of ripe fruit, balanced with hop spiciness. Finish is long and dryly bitter, with aromatic celery notes. –Staff

Brooklyn Lager

Brooklyn Brewing Co., Brooklyn, NY

Clear, golden beer with tight head. Aroma of honeycomb and pine. Clean flavors of slightly toasted malt, tart apple and fresh bread. Subtle finish: smooth, undemanding and very satisfying. –Staff

Brew Free or Die IPA