Special Forces Ale brings Crown Brewery out of shadows
(
http://www.post-trib.com/lifestyles/...w-1230.article)
December 30, 2009
By SCOTT M. BORT,
sbort@post-trib.com
In the shadow of the famous-again Old Lake County Jail sits an unassuming red brick building the Crown Brewing Co. calls home. The brewery opened in 2008 and shares its name with a brewing company that operated in Crown Point around the turn of the 20th century.
Their flagship beer is a West Coast-style India Pale Ale (IPA), a uniquely American style.
The Special Forces Ale focuses more on the bitter and citric hop characteristics of the IPA instead of a more balanced and malt-centric beer traditional of IPA's from England.
The name and logo serve as a tribute to a Special Forces soldier from Crown Point.
Poured with a finger of off-white head, the slightly hazy, golden orange ale gives off a sweet floral aroma.
Upon first sip, the grapefruit-like flavor sweeps over the tongue followed quickly by a slight caramel malt backbone that adequately supports the powerful hop flavors. As the beer slightly warms, the aroma, or bouquet, becomes more noticeably fragrant.
"If you don't love beer, this one will shock you," said Crown brewmaster Steve Mazylewski.
I have to agree with him. The citrus-y hop flavor overpowers the malt and sticks in the back of the mouth longer than expected. It's not an off flavor, but it lingers like a relative who has worn out his welcome.
Beyond that, I found this beer very drinkable and would recommend it to fans of the en vogue style of aggressively hopped IPAs.
Crown Brewing is starting to come out of the shadow of other area brewers to make a name for itself. Special Forces Ale is a good start.
If you go
What: Crown Brewing Special Forces Pale Ale
Style: West Coast India Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume: 5.8 percent
Brewery: Available on tap at Crown Brewing Co.,
211 S. East St., Crown Point, and will be available in 22-ounce bottles in the next month.
Link to Crown Brewing Co.-
http://crownbrewing.com/index.htm
(I am in no way affiliated with Crown Brewing)
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