Summit Cask Ale tasting at The Muddy Pig
Leslie and I had originally planned to make a birthday dinner and debut visit to The Blue Door, on Selby and Fairview. However, once we got there, we could barely squeeze inside, and getting a table was almost a joke. So, we decided to check out The Muddy Pig. Five miles east on Selby, and we arrived.
Tom Horgen’s article regarding the beginning of the Hop Festival covers a decent amount of that evening, and I have to admit, I even shared stories about my birthday on Inauguration Day with the two guys pictured in the article. (Pat even gave me a few Jamaican Jerk chicken wings; you will see his shirt in a few of my iPhone pictures, below.) I took 4 pictures; one of each of the varieties, since the EPA and IPA appeared identical to the second of each variety.
The first beer of the six, five-ounce Summit cask ales that evening I tried was the first of two Extra Pale Ales, this one dry-hopped with Cascade. As Summit described it:
This is the regular finishing hop in EPA and should compliment the beer well. A classic US aroma hop, Cascade delivers a very smooth and balanced citrus flavor and aroma, most notably of grapefruit. (ABV) = 5.2%
The second Summit cask ale that I enjoyed that evening was the second of two Extra Pale Ales, this one dry-hopped with Glacier. As Summit described it:
Glacier is a relatively new US aroma hop. A relative of Fuggle, it tends to be slightly more British in character with some mild, woody herbal and spicy aroma notes. (ABV) = 5.2%
The third Summit cask ale I sampled was the first of two India Pale Ales, this one was dry-hopped with Amarillo. As Summit described it:
The most aggressive hop featured! Amarillo is a unique dual-purpose hop combining an aggressive flavor with a floral, citrusy and fruity aroma. Notes of apricot are often present. (ABV) = 6.2%
The fourth Summit cask ale I sampled was the second of two India Pale Ales, this one was dry-hopped with East Kent Goldings. As Summit described it:
Britain’s premier aroma hop. EKG gives a superb balance of flavor with a subtle floral aroma often containing notes of orange marmalade. The standard dry-hop variety used in beer. (ABV) = 6.2%
The fifth Summit cask ale I sampled was the only Winter Ale, this one dry-hopped with Crystal. As Summit described this brew:
Another Popular US finishing hop, Crystal has a spicy noble quality combined with some citrus notes. Should combine well with dark malts and slightly character present in this ale. (ABV) = 6.3%
The sixth and final Summit cask ale I sampled that evening was the Oatmeal Stout, dry-hopped with Target. Summit remarks:
Developed in the 1970′s, Target is the foremost bittering hop now grown in Britain. Underrated as a flavor and aroma hop, its slightly aggressive characteristics should work perfectly in a stout. (ABV) = 5.4%
I also sampled a Flat Earth Rode Haring Flanders Red Ale. It was rather unexpected; I merely asked the server if it was available, however upon the $16 asking price (after the server left) I decided I wasn’t going to order one. Yet without fail, my elderly server returned with a bottle, uncapped, and I obliged. It was after all, extremely constrained. I had bottle 404/500. This was my first sour ale, and it immediately reminded me of a lambic, but only more sour.
