St. Peter's Winter Ale

[old faithful]

This is one of the best of the new releases. It has the St. Peter's house flavor (probably yeast-derived) but against a rich, well-kilned malty backdrop. Quite sweet and rich - almost as sweet as the Oki porter - but old ale in style (i.e., fruity, strongish, dark pale ale-like, are these malts crystal-type? I know the taste but can't peg the malt type). English hops abound but do not obtrude as per the style. Classy stuff, a perfect holiday beer and for those interested in the classic English ale palate this is a good start.

Gary

[grub]

Classy stuff, a perfect holiday beer and for those interested in the classic English ale palate this is a good start.

wait, you didn't mix it with anything?!? i was starting to think you didn't drink anything straight up

[old faithful]

No mixing, .

I thought about it but decided there was nothing that would blend well with it. It has that "dark reddish" (crystal or Vienna-type?) malt taste that doesn't blend well with other beers, in my experience. Black or roasted malts would clash, pale malts would take away its key note taste, barley wine, well no.

I'll tell ya what I might blend though, the Oki porter. It is well-made but I find it a little too sweet and rich for me.

Many years ago, when Fred Koch brewery was still operating across the lake in Dunkirk, NY (west of Buffalo), I stopped in town to try the beers.

The brewery at the time was owned by Vaux of England (now absorbed into a larger company I think). Due in part at least to this link, Fred Koch made an excellent porter. It was dark brown (not black) and had a licorice accent, probably it was very 1800's-like (although not acid in any way).

Anyway, I asked some people at a bar if the porter was favored and they said yes but mostly in a mix, 1:2 porter to the regular Koch lager.

So I tried that and ever since then when a porter seems too rich I'll blend it with a good light lager. You can't go wrong doing this.

Any suggestions for the Oki? I guess the Oki lager would be ideal but I'll likely go with something more micro-like, maybe Trailhead Lager, something like that.

A pint sounds about right ... Trailhead is excellent on its own, I like it at Rebel House, surely the good Canadian lagers of the 1950's were like that.

Gary

[midlife crisis]

Gary:

Last year you suggested mixing Oki Porter with Sleeman IPA, which I tried and, somewhat to my own surprise, kind of liked!

[old faithful]

Thanks for the reminder, I will try it again!

Gary