Jul 21, 2016

Old Crafty Hen

Old Speckled Hen was one of those beers that I used to drink a good amount of back in the day when I grew weary of all of the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in our fridge. It offered a smooth, malty respite from the bite of that California brew. It’s been several years since I’ve had one, but that may change after spying this bottle of its slightly bigger sibling, Old Crafty Hen. This 6.5% ABV old ale is just like my old favorite, but with a more rich flavor profile and fuller mouthfeel.

I don’t believe that this brew is as “craft” or as dynamic as the name may imply, but it is still damn tasty nonetheless. A full-flavored, solid malt backbone provides hints of dark fruit, caramel, a touch of toffee and a moderate amount of sweetness that is balanced by a soft hop profile (grass, light bite). This is the perfect beer for reinvigorating the palate after weeks of IPAs and hoppy pale ales.

I’m a big fan of the U.S. unofficial beer style, the IPA, but even I grow weary and tired of having my tongue buckle under the weight of the next great hop variety. Sometimes, you just need to tap the breaks and crack open a bottle or can of something on the opposite end of the spectrum — something that you just don’t see enough on the shelves as of late. But that’s okay, those few bottles that are peppered amongst its hopped-up brethren are all mine.