Scuttlebutt 10 Degrees Below Ale
I like what my local Total Wine has been doing over the past couple of months. Slowly, but surely, they’ve been adding new brews into their selection. It’s been some time in the making, but it’s good to see new products from breweries I’ve never heard of on the shelves.
Scuttlebutt Brewing out of Washington state is one of the newer brands that’s been available lately. I picked up this bottle of their 10 Degrees Below Ale (along with two other products from the brewery) before the New Year and decided to crack it open the other day. This 7.4% ABV Weizenbock turned out to be a pretty tasty way to stay warm on a cold January evening.
Appearance
A rich brown in color the brew sat with an off-white head that faded slowly to thing patches of film on the beer’s surface.
Aroma
Spicy, citrusy hops are joined with a biscuity malt presence on the nose. There’s a touch of caramel and a light roast in mix, as well.
Taste
Having never experienced this brewery before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the beer. It’s quite tasty. Subtle spices, caramel maltiness, zesty hops combine with a light crispness on the tongue for a smooth drinking brew. There’s a welcome fruitiness (apple/pear maybe) combining with a light hop bitterness to balance the sweeter malt profile. The lingering hop bite in the finish was an unexpected surprise. The higher ABV is hidden fairly well, making the beery deceptively drinkable.
Overall
I was pleasantly surprised with 10 Degrees Below. It’s a well balanced brew with plenty going on to keep your attention through to the last sip. I’m curious to see how the other two brews (an amber and and an IPA) turn out over the course of the next couple of days.
Rating: 3.5/5