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 Harvest Amber Ale by Broadhead Brewing Company.
Katy:
Broadhead's Harvest Amber Ale pours a reddy/copper colour with a white fizzy head and has a faint aroma of sweet bready malts. The taste follows the smell with upfront flavours of caramel, bread, malt and a subtle citrus finish.
This beer is loaded with the entire Cascade yield from Lot 17 Hop Yard in Cambellford, but it isn't very bitter – ringing in at 20 International Bitterness Units (Alexander Keith's IPA is around 20-25 for reference).
While hop heads like me are probably going to be a little disappointed, those who aren't into big hoppy beers or are easing their way into hops may find this one of the more approachable harvest ales available.
Broadhead's
Harvest Amber Ale pours like the color of natural honey with a thick
and foamy head, which lingers long after it's poured. The warm toffee
aroma overwhelms you, with a barely there scent from the cascade hops.
This
beer definitely tastes exactly how it smells – a toasty caramel
sweetness, with a hint of citrus and warmth from the alcohol on the
finish, which is unexpected with an ABV of only 5%.
Overall a
very smooth beer that doesn't linger on your palate, easy to drink
after a hard days work, however surprisingly sweet for a harvest ale.
Harvest Amber Ale is available for a limited time at Broadhead Brewing Company (81 Auriga Drive #14) in growlers and select pubs/restaurants.
