Wailing Wench

Middle Ages

Available: NY, MA, PA, NJ

Perhaps I’m becoming a bit jaded by all the highly hopped beers I’ve been tasting lately, but although this deep russet colored ale has a lovely, perfumey, hop-dominated nose, the body is leaving me a bit flat. There’s some raisiny sweetness up front, but after that, it’s all hop, hop and more hop, leaving the roasty, slightly burnt malt in the background with minimal balance. The finish is bitter and a bit acrid, and lingering. Perhaps something I might try with a vindaloo.
- Stephen Beaumont

Another dense head of busty foam? No tasting would be complete without a good dose of hops. Ah yes, ain’t it good to be American! Tantalizingly clear red and copper. Out of this world floral hop aroma. It’s springtime in October. Hop flavors are a bit assertive, aggressive, call it whatever. But the fruity floral hops continue to dominate and distract to satisfaction. Wonderfully hoppy. Have a few and reach for a pillow. Breakfast is in the morning.
- Charlie Papazian

This beer shows a nice russet-brown color and a huge, buttery, resinous hop aroma. The palate is hard up front, with a minerally bitterness. Eventually the malt vaults over the wall of hops and some caramel comes through as it slides out to a short, slightly astringent finish. By itself, this beer is slightly rough around the edges, but it would be quite enjoyable with a good steak or burger.
- Garrett Oliver

Stephen Beaumont
Stephen Beaumont boarded his first plane at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since, obsessing about travel to the point that he gets nervous if he doesn’t have a ticket or two stacked on the corner of his desk. When he’s not running around in search of new taste experiences, he makes his home in Toronto, where a new cultural experience is only as far away as the next neighborhood.

Charlie Papazian
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.

Garrett Oliver
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.

Comments are closed here.