Saranac Big Moose Ale
I don’t drink nearly as much Saranac as I used to many, many moons ago. They were one of the few craft options available at the time. With the glut of available bottles to select from now, their products have become quickly overshadowed by the plethora of competitors. I still pick up a random mixed pack from them every now and again, but not nearly as often as I used to. Hopefully, this bottle of their Big Moose Ale will lead me to revisit old favorites.
This American Pale Ale weighs in at 5.3% ABV and is brewed Pale malt and Caramel malt. It is also hopped with Centennial and Amarillo hop varieties. The end result is a tasty little brew that had a decent balance between a moderate malt base and lightly hopped finish. It’s good, but doesn’t really pique my tastebuds interest, instead settling nicely right in the middle of the road.
Appearance
Big Moose Ale pours with a large, frothy stack of foam that drops slowly and displays great retention over the golden amber brew.
Aroma
Caramel, grains, light toast and a hint of piny, citrus hops comprise the nose.
Taste
This medium bodied brew presents plenty of grain, caramel and lightly toasted bread up front that stick around for a good while as the grassy, earthy hops show up with a touch of bine and a moderate bitterness. The beer has a refreshingly crisp mouthfeel and a slightly drying finish. It’s not a challenging flavor profile, but does drink easy.
Overall
Not every beer should push the boundaries of what your palate can handle, but it should still entertain and arouse some spirit from your tastebuds. Big Moose Ale just doesn’t quite have enough oomph to cause me to want to go out and buy a few sixers of it for a nice Sprint weekend. It was tasty and refreshing, but also rather benign.
Rating: 3/5
