Cask conditioned dry hopped Mild Brown Ale

midlife crisis · Post by **midlife crisis** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:01 pm

Had this recently at C'est What and I gather it is a fairly new offering. I've always thought their MBA was alright, and enjoyed it as a session ale occasionally, but I was dismayed by the nitro dispense which knocks some of the flavour out. The cask version is significantly better, IMO. The dry hopping really helps, though it's still not a hoppy beer, being a mild. As well, it's the first cask-conditioned mild seen in these parts for many many years, since the excellent but short-lived F&M Mild, unless someone can remember another. An under-appreciated style, in my opinion.

dhurtubise · Post by **dhurtubise** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:16 am

The best version of the mild i've had was a mainstay at Pepperwoods. At 3.5% it had the body of a full bodied full strength English ale with chocolate malts and smoky undertones. This used to be my regular beer. Unfortunately, it was discontinued sometime around October, though I imagine, it might resurface as a beer of the month.

By the way, it was so superior to the two milds you mentionned that I would hesitate to use those to describe the Pepperwood's product.

midlife crisis · Post by **midlife crisis** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 7:34 pm

I'm not so sure about that. The F&M did not last long but it was very good--just as you describe the Pepperwood, the F&M was under 4% but chock full of roasted malt flavour. This is going back many years now though so impossible to compare. Plus it was cask conditioned, another big plus IMO. The C'est What is decent, a nice session beer, not truly outstanding, but much better than the nitrokeg version so worth a try if you're interested in the style.

dhurtubise · Post by **dhurtubise** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:39 pm

had the F&M, had the C'est what. The F&M was good, but not nearly as flavourful.

Beer Geek · Post by **Beer Geek** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:03 pm

I remember the Merchant Ale House having a Five Malt Mild years ago. Not sure if they're still brewing it. It was OK, but nothing great.

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:38 am

Beer Geek wrote:I remember the Merchant Ale House having a Five Malt Mild years ago. Not sure if they're still brewing it. It was OK, but nothing great.

Haven't seen anything lately, fitting that description. I'm going next weekend, so I'll have another look.

JWalter · Post by **JWalter** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:54 pm

FYI - the M.B.A. at C'est What is actually 4.8% - keep that in mind incase you think you can sneak in an extra pint before driving home!

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:56 pm

JWalter wrote:FYI - the M.B.A. at C'est What is actually 4.8% - keep that in mind incase you think you can sneak in an extra pint before driving home!

Interesting - it used to be 3.2%. I wonder when it changed?