Big Sky Brewing Co. - "Moose Drool" brown ale

Today's beer comes to us from Big Sky country - that's right, Montana. My colleague Tony, a native Montanan, has procured me a sixer of "Moose Drool", a 5.2% ABV brown ale from Missoula-based Big Sky Brewing Co. I've never reviewed a Montana beer on this blog, and in the spirit of always looking for new potent potable experiences from across our blue marble, I was happy to try. About the brewery - Big Sky Brewing Co. first opened in 1995 and is the largest macrobrewery in Montana, based in Missoula:

Missoula, Montana, home of the Grizzlies

The brewery produces upwards of 33,000 barrels per year (or almost 8.5 million pints a year!) and it generally produces features kinds of beer: "Moose Drool," the "Scape Goat" pale ale, the "Big Sky" IPA, the "Powder Hound" winter ale, the "Trout Slayer" ale, and the "Summer Honey" seasonal with two special rotating ales. Of course, no moose (mooses? meese?) were harmed in the making of this beer. Let's dive in.

Pours swiftly into my Molly Pitcher pint glass, pours sort of a "clear brown" like a root beer. Has a thin white head, which dies down very quickly.

It's very clear in the glass as well, an interesting reddish-brown color that's translucent. No serious carbonation noted. The aroma is mild and light.

The taste is rather light as well, much like the aroma, however that's not necessarily a bad thing. I can't taste any alcohol notes, mostly a watery and slightly fizzy brown ale taste with lots of malts. It's got a tiny bit of hops, not a lot at all, but enough to stop it from getting too dank and sweet. The texture is creamy and light, and overall the beer has no particular strengths or weaknesses.

This is a great beer to have in your cooler for any casual occasion. While it's not as complicated or fancy as other beers I've reviewed, it's a tasty light choice for any session-type outing. It's light enough where you can drink it without serious distraction, so slap a Jeff Ament playist on iTunes, crack a can of Moose Drool, and watch the sun set over Granite Peak!