Beer Review of the Week:  Big Moose Ale

Style:  American Pale Ale

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.3%

Calories: 159

Price: $1.99/bottle

Today’s Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps’ Malt Monday is a little late.  I attended the last of the holiday parties last night and got home a little too late to sample some beer for today’s beer review.  So consider this a happy hour version of this week’s Malt Monday.

Here we are, the slump after the holidays.  The house is bare, the parties are over and the guilt over fleeting New Year’s resolutions has begun.  The post-holiday depression has kicked in and my fun holiday-inspired beers are coming to an end.  Since we are still in the winter season, I am capitalizing on the season and sticking with the winter theme for the next couple of Malt Mondays.

This week we are trying out Saranac’s Big Moose Ale, one of Saranac’s Seasonal Beers.

I have had a long affinity to Saranac.  Some of my favorite past beers from their catalog include the Oatmeal Stout, Brown Ale and their Black Lager.  I had never experienced their Big Moose Ale before so I was thrilled to see this selection on my local store’s shelf.  Big Moose Ale has been on a slight hiatus since 2009.

The word big is perfect to include in the title of this beer because the flavor is just that, big.  An American Pale Ale with stand out flavor I noticed hints of caramel, citrus and malts.  The beer was copper in color and produced a nice, fluffy foam which lasted for the few sips.  The foam left significant amount of lacing on the glass and the beer was also very bubbly. With lots of tang to it, the beer leaves a very strong aftertaste which wasn’t to my liking.

As much as I wanted to like this beer, I just couldn’t.  The taste was off and the flavors just didn’t sit well with me.  Truthfully is was hard to drink and most ended up down the drain (gasp!).

Bummer, Saranac.  I hate to do this to you but this one is a GGG pass!

PS:  The little walrus gracing this beer review photo was a fun, little stocking stuffer from the hubster.  It is a bottle opener.  How cute, right?  I love him (I’m talking about the walrus …. giggle, giggle).

PSS:  Reminder!  Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps is still looking for a sponsor for the 2013 Beer Bloggers Conference. You can find out more about the sponsorship here!

 Disclaimer: The purpose of this beer review is to offer GGG readers an objective opinion so they can make an informed decision before buying this beer.  This  beer review was based on quality, flavor and overall taste.  GGG will always deliver an honest and unbiased opinion.