Full disclosure, fall and winter I am partial to amber and dark lagers. I remember having a Barking Squirrel a few years ago. The reason I remember it is the name reminded me of my wife’s yappy little mutt. It’s about the same size as a squirrel but the little buffalo breathed ankle humper comes with vet bills and it has more snacks in the pantry than I have.
I don’t usually recommend food pairings but with a Barking Squirrel nuts in the shell seemed obvious.
This beer is a good example of why you have to do more than taste a beer, you have to drink it. At first taste the squirrel had a bit of a bite to it. But it turns out that it’s bark is worse than its bite because after a drink or two it smoothed out and into an excellent amber. I really enjoyed the transition. The can provides the following description, “a superbly smooth balancing act of noble hop bitterness and caramel malt sweetness.” Noble bitterness sounds like Harry and Meghan losing their inheritance. A bit melodramatic maybe but I would agree, the smoothness overpowered the bitterness after one swig, and the cranky squirrel is a great amber. Well done Hop City, no wonder this one is an award winner.
0 Comments