I’m a free beer ‘ho. McGowen and Edwards deliver again.
I’m easy, I admit it. When a generous soul walks up to my desk with a fresh free beer to try, they officially become one of my favorite people. So much so that I have decided to come up with a simple acronym, FAB. Favorite Amatuer Brewmasters. These folks, show the appropriate disdain for my liver and deliver to me brewed delights of all flavors.
Jonathan Edwards: “Herdwick Pale Ale”
For reasons unknown to me, Jonathan decided to name this beer after sheep. See? Luckily for me, it didn’t taste anything like that seat covers I used to have in my car. This is the third beer by Mr. Edwards I’ve had. And true to FAB form, I have liked every one. But the fun thing about Jonathan’s brews is that they don’t tend to taste anything like I expect them to. Take this one… it wasn’t “baaaaaaaaad” at all. Get it? Baaaaa …like a sheep…. never mind. Sheep references aside, this Pale was among the yeastier beers I’v had since summer. To his credit he warned me ahead of time, but to be honest I imagine I actually enjoyed it more as a result. It had that crisp Pale refreshment, but the yeast seemed to keep it from ever entering into the cheek smash territory that makes IPAs so offensive to me. At least I think that was it. Maybe I’m just getting less picky in my old age. Kudos Jonathan!
Chris McGowen: “Sweet Brown Holiday”
Using a recipe nabbed from the internet, Chris decided to try his hand at making a Brown Ale. I’m a huge brown fan, so I was looking forward to this entry particularly. FAB hero Jonathan Edwards tried it ahead of me, and referred to it as “too sweet”. Sweet? In a brown? But there is a reason he is FAB. The pour, and color said brown ale, but the flavor said “I wish I was Stumptown Tart, but I didn’t have any berries handy”. To be honest, I actually liked it though. I love fruity beers, so even if the taste wasn’t intentional, I give it two thumbs up anyway. Look for a revisit of this brew in a month or two to see if Mr Edwards “it needs more bottle time” assessment is correct.
So there you have it, two true FAB heroes, brewing their way into the Frosty Goodness hall of fame. Liddell, Boyer, Sherwood…time to step up. 