Mudslinger
It’s nice to see a mild ale being released amidst all of the gargantuan brews of late. Enter: Redhook Mudslinger Spring Ale… a soft highly sessionable nut brown ale from the Craft Brewers Alliance. Sure, uber extreme beer geeks fresh off a Beer Advocate tasting might scoff at such a beer, but I say kudos to such an approachable offering that I can sink my teeth into and not be belly up after three glasses. Redhook brewmaster Greg Deuh puts it plainly “Mudslinger is one of my favorite beers.”
The American Brown Ale is far from a shocker and that is why it is so good. Traditional notes of caramel and sweet malts, the overall impression is not far off from most browns your father has grown to love. Amidst the up-flexing of other large brewers to accommodate an seemingly ceilingless growth in big hops and world of American bigness, here rests a beer that is just a beer and designed with the utmost precision. 5.8% ABV, 30 IBU, perfect. Don’t get me wrong…I love boldly hopped, high octane, and sour beers, but those are the now beers; the chic fads. We are witnessing more dynamic breweries scrapping their brown ales but thankfully, the real heads still know what’s up. A brew like this is one that you could pour yourself over and over and be impressed with not only the drinkability but the subtle complexities Yeah, I know it sounds pretty cliche…but what can I say…I am a brown noser.
Feel free to sling mud at me anytime…
About The Author
Angelo
Angelo grew up in Maine and is proud to call New England his original home. Cascadia is now his home. He fell in love with great beer in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. He has been a correspondent for the Portland Tribune's Guest on Tap column, LivePDX.com, and has been featured in publications such as Beer Northwest and PDX Magazine. Angelo also has a great interest in independent music, and has been a booker and organizer for shows around the Portland under the name Pop Tomorrow! Angelo garnered much knowledge regarding beer from his experiences homebrewing, working at Belmont Station, Pyramid Brewing, Upright Brewing, By the Bottle, Beer Revolution, Olde Depot Public House, Falling Sky Brewing, Cascade Brewing, and from many many knowledgeable, passionate, and loving people along the way. It is Angelo's mission to bring "infotainment" and "edumation" to the readers of this website. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to contribute, please contact me at angelo@brewpublic.com
I remember really enjoying this years ago (when it was just called Nut Brown). The reviews are mixed but if it is the same beer (Red Hook says it is) it was an easy drinking enjoyable beer.
how messed up are we when we call a 5.8% a mild beer? time to go back to school nw brewers.