Parallel 49 / Crannog Ales Suspect Device Gruit at 5.5% ABV (C$2.29 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 341 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 16-Apr-2016, reviewed 26-Apr-2016)
Appearance: hazy medium to deep amber with one finger of fine light beige head, poor retention and no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel/toffee, floral, herbal/earthy. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, light bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body tending to watery, moderate carbonation, sweet and very slightly spicy finish. (3/5)
A very appropriate name: based on my previous gruit experience, I came into this intensely suspect of this device. But, all things considered, it’s not as bad as I feared it could be. (How’s that for a ringing endorsement?) Really, it comes across as a watery scotch ale, with the grainy caramel/toffee malt completely dominating. There is of course no hop profile at all, which is only to be expected given there are no hops. I was honestly surprised, however, in reading the brewer notes, to see that it contains juniper, ginger and rye, because I’m getting zero of any of those. Correction: as I near the end, the finish is gradually becoming slightly spicy, with either ginger, rye, or both. I guess my criticism of this boils down to it being so very mild, but ultimately it’s not unpleasant. (12/20)
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
