Saturday, May 10, 2014

Northgate Fiddle Smasher

This is a 8.0% ABV Scottish-style Wee Heavy ale from Northgate Brewing of the Northeast area of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It celebrates their first anniversary.


The beer pours a very dark mahogany brown, with ruby and garnet when held to the light. There is nearly an inch of thick, foamy, nearly creamy off-white to very light brown head. The aroma is malty, dark caramel, fruity, a touch spicy, hint of vanilla. The taste follows the aromas, semi-sweet maltiness, rich caramel, dark fruits, almost herbal, touch of woodiness. The flavors are all there, but not in your face, could stand to be a bit stronger. The mouthfeel is very smooth, rich, elegant. The finish is dry with a light and woody bitterness.  This beer has a lot of nice qualities, real potential here for Northgate. Have they barrel-aged this? It seems like that would fit very nicely with this beer.





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