Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Left Hand Sawtooth Ale

Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Company
Where: Longmont, Colorado
Beer: Sawtooth Ale
Style: Extra Special / Strong Bitter
IBU: 27
ABV: 4.5%

This is my first sampling of a beer from Left Hand Brewing Company.  I have seen them around but haven't had the chance to try one until now.  This beer poured with a rich amber color and a full creamy head on top.  The aroma of crystal malt was readily apparent as well as a light floral hop accompaniment.  This beer is very malty and the hop balance is so nice that the hops are only mildly noticeable in the complexity of the malt mix in this beer.  The hops tend to come out of this beer in the aftertaste quite nicely though.  According to the website, this beer is made up of Pale 2-row, Crystal, Munich, Wheat, and Black malts.  The Crystal and Munich combination in this beer is the backbone of the flavor.  This beer would also make a great session beer for anyone who wanted a beer rich on flavor and lower in alcohol.  It's a session beer that doesn't really taste like a session beer :)