This led to a bit of investigation. It turns out Matt Brewing Co. is officially called F.X. Matt Brewing Co., a family-owned brewery in Utica founded in 1888. Matt Brewing Co. brews a lot of beer on contract; according to an online article I read, it brews beer for Costco under the Kirkland label as well as under other lines, such as the more popular Saranac line. As far as I can tell, they don't release any beers under the Matt Brewing Co. label itself.
Today's beer comes in a 32 oz jug, which is half the capacity of my growler, Rex. As you can see, it has a metal screwcap, which is not common in beers. It's neat, however, the downside to that is the suuuper-sharp metal ring that makes handling the jug a pain. I do also like the little finger grip as well, it gives the bottle a more rustic, Ron Swanson-esque feel.
The beer pours lighter than expected, sort of a deep honey color, with some fizzy white foam that dies down quickly.
The aroma in the glass is pleasing, like pumpkin pie. Lots of allspice, nutmeg, and clove aromas in there, not too sweet or deep - more like a pumpkin donut than mulled cider.
It's actually lighter than expected, taste-wise. It's malty and dank, the pumpkin flavors not as strong as the aroma might suggest. It's a little watery, but still has some of the spices that translate over into a tasty lighter beer. The finish and aftertaste are muted and clean, with a little bit of spice. It's a good ale, tasty and cheap, but in the end it didn't knock it out of the park.
Truth is, I like it, and the price point is perfect for this quality and volume. I, for one, enjoy pumpkin beers - some traditionalists seem to think they're heretical to beer, but I find value in the various seasonal approaches and flavors. Due to the format, volume and price, this would be a great contribution to a fall party or just to have on hand at all times.
No comments:
Post a Comment