Consumed: Alley Kat Cringer Cranberry Ginger Ale

I've been meaning to get around the drinking this latest offering by Alley Kat Brewing Co.  for over a week now. The two bottles, the newest of their Big Bottle Series, kept staring me in the face every morning I came into work. It's getting close to press time (winter issue of TAPS) at work so things have been a tad busy. I managed to crack the top of the Cringer Cranberry Ginger Ale this afternoon though, and I'm glad I did.

The 4.8% beer produces a big billowy white head that forms a layer of protection atop the hazy golden liquid in the glass. It doesn't seem to fade, even after multiple sips. It's quite attractive.

The nose is nice, interesting. Exactly as you'd think, given the name of the beer. Fresh ginger dominates, almost as though it was cut and added yesterday. It's matched by a delicate sweetness and candied cranberries that create a flowery aroma with a bit of lemon zest.

It's nice and soft on the palate up front. Pleasant finish that starts sweet before yielding to a bready malt backbone that then gives way to the ginger, the star of the show. It all ends with a lingering presence of ginger coating of the mouth. Not too sharp though as the malt profile kicks in and balances out all the flavour. The cranberry presence is subtle, adding just enough fruity (sweet) notes to play nicely with the ginger.

I'm digging it. The bottles came with an Alley Kat opener that has a resealer attached to it for those that can't finish an entire 650ml bottle...I didn't need it.

Alley Kat Big Beer Series