American Beers Deliver a Kick Up the Backside!

March 2010

In an event held at the White Horse on Parson’s Green, London, James Clay presented a collection of ‘attitudinal’ beers from four of America’s most highly regarded breweries: Brooklyn of New York; Anchor of San Francisco; Goose Island of Chicago and Flying Dog of Maryland.

In all, seventeen beers were swirled, sniffed and sipped at the White Horse alongside an offering of their delicious mini burgers, marinated salmon morsels and barbecued spare ribs. 

Leading wine expert and noted beer lover, Oz Clarke, commented:

“America is famous for bold, big flavours in their beers and they are popular for that. The Belgian beer styles at this tasting were FANTASTIC. The Brooklyn Local 1 is EXCELLENT and their Black Chocolate Stout is remarkable.

The Anchor Bock and Porter are also really good. Flying Dog’s beers are all brilliantly bonkers: fabulous, unusual flavours that make your brain fizz, if you can remember where your brain is after a couple of these beers!

America wants to be different and those are brave, bold beers that don’t dampen down on flavour.  A couple of the well known ale styles seem to have lost their bite in recent releases but America must keep confidence in itself.

The reason we love them is because they are different, memorable and strong.  Show us your magnificence and we’ll pay if you deliver!”

Melissa Cole, respected beer writer and blogger, said:

“American beer is unbelievably under-rated.  Anyone who drinks beer will find something to be very excited about in this range. These are beers that are reminiscent of Christmas morning – Clementine oranges and chocolate abound in the Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch and Goose Island’s Sofie.”

The beers tasted were:

BROOKLYN LAGER (5.1% abv, 35.5cl)
BROOKLYN BROWN ALE (5.5% abv, 35.5cl)
BROOKLYN BLACK CHOCOLATE STOUT (10.1% abv, 35.5cl)
BROOKLYN LOCAL 1 (9.0% abv, 75cl)

ANCHOR STEAM BEER (4.8% abv, 35.5cl)
ANCHOR LIBERTY ALE (5.9% abv, 35.5cl)
ANCHOR PORTER (5.6% abv, 35.5cl)
ANCHOR BOCK (5.5% abv, 35.5cl)

GOOSE ISLAND IPA (5.9% abv, 35.5cl)
GOOSE ISLAND MATILDA (7% abv, 35.5cl)
GOOSE ISLAND JULIET (6.7% abv, 65cl)
GOOSE ISLAND SOFIE (6.5%, 65cl)
GOOSE ISLAND HONKER’S ALE (4.2%, 35.5cl)

FLYING DOG RAGING BITCH (8.3% abv, 35.5cl)
FLYING DOG SNAKE DOG INDIA PALE ALE (7.1% abv, 35.5cl)
FLYING DOG SCHWARZ (7.8% abv, 75cl)
FLYING DOG GONZO IMPERIAL PORTER (7.8% abv)