Red Hook Late Harvest Autumn Ale – Damn you seasonal beers!
DAMN YOU SEASONAL BEERS! Normally I don’t care for autumny seasonal ales, they tend to be a bit overly roasted for me. But when the resident beer mistress (Wife) and I were beer shopping yesterday at Zupans, the Late Harvest Autumn Ale from Red Hook looked good, especially since it was only $6.99/6-pack. This was the last one on the shelf, so either it had been cheap for a while or it was good. I decided it was worth the risk and I didn’t feel like paying $8-$10 for a six pack of some other questionable offering.
Last night for dinner we made “Thai Coconut-Chili Clams” for dinner with some local bread we picked up at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market. I was worried this beer was going to be one of those roasty, harsh, burnt tasting amber-y winter/cold weather beers, so I was sampling with some trepidation. I was truly surprised with my first sip when it was only slightly roasty, yummily malty, and a tiny bit hoppy in a good way. It went perfectly with the almost buttery, rich manilla clams. This is just a good beer!
I couldn’t have been happier. Even better is that I get to post more than one positive Frosty review in a row. =)
I say “Damn you Seasonal Beers” because I know this stuff won’t be around long and I hate not being able to re-find stuff I enjoy swilling. According to the info I could find online, it may already be out of production. Sigh. At least I’ve still got five more to swill before they’re all gone.
Cheers and swill on!
Ivana Goodbeer 9:30 pm on July 24, 2007 Permalink
Hmmm, then you’d better get the shears ready cause I gots me a mullet! I like this beer, and it packs more flavor than any other of the generic American beers you mentioned. I should know, I grew up on MGD. It is light, refreshing, and could substitute for a Corona. (Yes I do like stouts! I even like beers you can chew!) However, there are times, like on a humid summer day, when a lighter beer will hit the spot. So, if you have a spot to hit with a light beer, I recommend this one.
Frosty 7:50 pm on July 26, 2007 Permalink
“I should know, I grew up on MGD” – ’nuff said
Ivana Goodbeer 11:55 pm on July 29, 2007 Permalink
Pththth!