Aug 25, 2016

Starr Hill Last Leaf

Last Leaf is the final beer in Starr Hill’s Fall Tour variety pack. It’s also one of the newest additions to the brewery’s seasonal rotation. This English-style brown ale weighs in at 6.1% ABV and is packed with a solid amount of Virginia-sourced maple syrup. If you’re not a fan of maple or pancakes, this beer is not for you — if you are, be prepared for some rumblings in your stomach upon getting your first whiff of this beer.

While this is a pile of maple syrup within this medium bodied brew, it’s thankfully not too sweet. The flavors conspire to create visions of tall stacks of pancakes (or maybe even waffles) in the back of your mind as you slowly sip this lightly decadent brew. It’s also a beer that is more aptly suited to be enjoyed on a cold afternoon more so than the near-90° day that I cracked open this sample. The flavors would be perfect before, during or after piling dead leaves from your yard — or even a lazy Sunday morning doing nothing.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything that Last Leaf had to offer. The maple syrup is fairly strong and stands squarely in the middle of the spotlight, but it does allow the other elements to show through. It’s an ideal beer for the colder weather to come. Just make sure you’re prepared for pancake hallucinations.

This is a review of a promotional sample.