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When I went to Oregon for my Brewmaster Cuisinternship this summer, I asked my friend Betty to send back several bottles I got while at Full Sail. When shipping the bottles back for me, she slipped this one in along with them. I think she’s a fan of MacTarnahan’s since she brought out their Amber Ale when we went to lunch in Portland, and she sent me a bottle of their Winter Hum Bug’r Porter as a pay off on a bet. This bottle says, “A deliciously wayward ale, lurking wherever thirsts gather.”
Numbers: 6.2% ABV, 54 IBU, Malts: 2 Row, Munich, and Caramel, Hops: Chinook, CTZ, Cascade, and Centennial
Appearance & Aroma: The beer was very clear and copper-red colored. There was a thin, soda-like head on it, with a creamy ring around the top of the glass. The aroma was caramel-malty, almost like a marzen with a bit of earthy/resiney hop aroma.
Taste & Feel: It was light-medium bodied, with a crisp carbonated mouthfeel. There was a solid caramel malt flavor with a hint of toastiness in the middle. The hop flavor comes through in the finish with a piney/resiney/earthy hop flavor.
Food Pairing: The caramel toastiness, along with the winter weather outside, made me think that an open faced turkey sandwich would go great with this beer. However, since it’s a summer beer, and I’m from central Illinois, I think this would go good with a corndog covered in mustard (corndogs were invented in Springfield, IL by the way).
Overall Impression: Despite being called “Summer Grifter,” the caramel and toasty maltiness makes it a great transitional season (spring or fall) beer. Having had a couple of other MacTarnahan’s beers, I thought it was probably a brand which lived off its local legacy. However, this beer changed my perception, as I really enjoyed it a lot. It was drinkable with a great balanced flavor.
My Rating: 
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