For an Oregon take on English-style old ale try Hop Valley Brewing’s Festeroo Winter Ale.
Festeroo pours dark brown with a white bubbly head that dissipates quickly. Sweet, dark roasted malt aroma with toffee and caramel notes strike your nose. Tasting this winter ale, it’s malt forward with toffee, dark fruits followed by cherry tangy hop bitterness. The hops cut any malt sweetness you might expect.
Hop Valley says Festeroo is 60 IBU which is believable, and 7.3% ABV which is well hidden. I don’t pick up any alcohol booziness. The mouthfeel is dry with a bit of zing from the fruity hops.
If you aren’t familiar with Hop Valley Brewing Company, they are located in Eugene, Oregon and pleasing craft beer lovers with hop-forward beer.
Their name is a tip to the historical hop growing region of Oregon. Today Oregon grows 17% of the United States’ and 5% of the world’s supply of hops, second only to the mighty Washington State, which produces 70% of all hops in US beer.
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