Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Sword Swallower Steel Hop Lager

Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company
Where: Saratoga Springs, NY
Beer: Sword Swallower Steel Hop Lager
Style: American Pale Lager
IBU: N/A (Estimate about 45 IBU)
ABV: 6.8%

I remember my first sampling of the FREAK beers a while back.  I commented that I was sucked in by the intriguing packaging.  As of today, I'm really glad that I gave these beers a shot.  Each of them is well worth your effort!  I'm almost an official FREAK but I can't complete the journey.  The Albino Python White Lager brewed with spices is nowhere to be found in my shopping realm.  I'll have to keep looking.  The rest of the FREAKS have been very well received in my tasting regimen. 

Today's sample is the Coney Island Sword Swallower Steel Hop Lager.  As you can see in the photo, this beer poured with a nice golden color and rich head.  This beer also has a very malty taste combined with some fantastic hop presence right behind it.  This beer is dry hopped with Cascade, Crystal, and Amarillo hops.  These hop selections are some of the premier choices used in pale ales and IPAs.  The citrusy floral character of these hops create a fantastic aroma when used for dry hopping. 

I think it's unfair for this beer to be categorized as an American Pale Lager.  I don't guess there is anything wrong with it in reality, but when you look at other beers in this classification, this one really stands alone based on what you are actually drinking...

**** NOTICE ****

Today is the one-year anniversary of this blogging effort.  During this 365 day span, I have tasted 117 different beers!