Archive for the 'Dark Ale' category
Pretty Things Saint Botolph’s Town
Post Update: Just heard from Dann, the brewer for Pretty Things, about their next beer release. The next beer is a quadruple, with dried plums, called “Baby Tree” and should be out just before Easter. He brewed it this past Thursday. Thanks for the update Dann.
Original Post (3/5/2009): Fast on the heels of my slow to come review of Pretty Things’ Jack D’Or is a review of Pretty Things’ second release, Saint Botolph’s Town. I rated Jack D’Or real high, writing, “This is the reason I drink beer, to find amazing gems like this.” Can Pretty Things pull off a repeat? Lets find out.
Poured into a pint glass the beer’s body is a chocolate-brown with an amber hue around the glass edge. Upon this impressive colored body sits a creme colored head a finger thick. Holding the beer up to the light, I note a lack of any debris and a smattering of small light bubbles rising through the beer. The aroma is a bit tough for me to peg down. I pick up roasted characteristics of nuts and bitter chocolate, with a smattering of sugar notes. In the mouth the beer is leaning to the lighter side of the scale, and very smooth. First off, my mouth seems to be enveloped with a pleasurable taste of freshly toasted bread. This toasted character is mixed with a sweet toffee note that is slight on the tongue. The beer seems to finish with the toasted character becoming stronger, more in the vein of toasted/roasted nuts. Then in sneaks a nice addition of bitterness with a flavoring of oats.
One thing about taking my time with the Jack D’Or review was the fact I was able to have it numerous times, in many different situations. This allowed me to have a better appreciation for the beer’s complexity and enjoyability. With this review I have not had that luxury (the beer only came out a few weeks back). With that said however, I found Saint Botolph’s Town complex, but very drinkable. I like that combination, so I see good things in this beer’s future sessions.
Once again, a great beer from Pretty Things (with interesting label artwork, and a little sticker that went over the cap!). I am already looking forward to their third release. No pressure though.
NB: Saint Botolph’s Town is in tribute to Boston, MA. The full explanation for the name is at the bottom of the Saint Botolph’s Town page on Pretty Things’ website.
