Strangford Lough Brewing Co.
Rochester, NY
Available: AL, CA, CT, DC, GA, LA, MD, ME, MO, MS, NC, NH, SC, VA, VT, WI
St. Patrick’s Best Ale is named after the patron saint of Ireland and brewed from an Irish recipe.
ABV: 4.2
ABW: 3.3
Bitterness: 33
Original gravity: 1043
St Patrick’s robe is a deep mahogany brown and almost opaque. His nose is medicinal with hints of licorice, burnt sugar and toasted rye, all authentic to an early monastic brew. His mouthfeel, however, is on the thin side, given the deep color and fullness on the nose. In defense of the beer tasted, a leprechaun delivered my sample only hours before I experienced it. Beers need rest after shipping to adjust and balance disparate elements. Hopefully it will improve. Wouldn’t that be the luck of the Irish.
Compelling deep red ale resisting any attempt of green dye to express otherwise. Edgy fruitiness and sweet malt in aroma. Medium bodied and cool flick of satisfying quenchability. Dignified punch of caramel is underlying foundation. Complexity is quite remarkable for a 4.2 percent beer. I’d pay money for a few of these brews. No compromises with flavor. Confidently Irish and worth seeking.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
