Katy and Sasha are the contributors for Ottawa Beer Events! They
have distinctly different palates and in this segment they go
head-to-head tasting Muskoka Harvest Ale by Muskoka Brewery.
Katy:
Muskoka Harvest Ale pours a dark amber colour with a fluffy off-white head that seems to cling to the glass. After the cork has been popped (or pried off in my case) aromas of floral hops become very noticeable; in the glass that floral hop note intensifies and brings with it aromas of grapefruit, fresh cut grass and malty caramel.
Those taste follows the aroma with a solid caramel background with layers of hop flavours (floral, fresh cut grass, citrus) adding bitterness, contrasting the sweet. It finishes with a slight dryness and earthy spice bitterness.
At 7% ABV and a big 750ml bottle Muskoka Harvest Ale is for sharing – celebrating the changing seasons and the bounty of the harvest.
Muskoka Harvest Ale poured a very nice golden brown with a thick light brown head. The aroma from the hops hits you right away with just a hint of toastiness from the malt.
The hops are definitely the star in this beer, offering the bitterness on first taste, with a marriage of grassy and citrus flavors. For me, who doesn't usually enjoy the bitterness in a beer, the honey-like sweetness on the end is a welcome taste.
The bitterness from the hops does stick around, however overall a very enjoyable beer, to enjoy a crisp fall day.
Muskoka Harvest Ale is available for a limited time at LCBO and The Beer Store locations throughout Ontario, and will retail for $8.95 per 750 ml corked-and-caged bottle.
