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I’ve been and tasted a sixpack with the brewer. The six were consistent, though I thought I could smell one that was distinctively better, I got Dave to switch them around while I wasn’t looking, so that I could re-sniff and try to identify the glass which held what I thought was the superior beer. I narrowed it down to two, sniffed again, and again, then selected…………………………………………… and was incorrect.

While I’ve had a shit experience with Steam Ale, I can be certain that there is not any fault in the product itself, and the quality control is 100% Goat. For the rancid stubbies, I point the finger at poor handling somewhere along the lines. As for the style of the beer, who knows. The Hightail is still lovely, and if the IPA they release in glass is anywhere near as glorious as it was on tap last Friday night, I’m sure the Goats will retain my business.

Even if I reckon the Steam Ale is a sellout, that’s a style thing – not a fault, the IPA and Hightail are still A-Ok with me. You have my sincere apologies Dave & Cam. Keep up the good work!

I received a response to the email which I previously posted from Mountain Goat. I’ll publish it once I’ve informed them that I’m publishing what they say.  It was positive, so much so it’s given me reason and optimism enough to again try Steam Ale, this time in the presence of my mother who is a beer taster of renown, who usually comes out with detailed descriptions such as; “ooh I like that” or the alternative; “I don’t like it.”

As an update, I did try a pot of Steam Ale at the Royston and thought it was pretty darn good. Anyhow, here’s the results from the six-pack I’ll taste over the next day or two.

6/01/2010.

Stubby #1. Me: Pours well, offers bland dry biscuit flavours. Otherwise faultless. Mum: “There’s not much flavour.” Post sniff, swirl, spit.. The rest is sinkward bound.

Stubby #2. Me: As per stubby #1. Mum: “This tastes the same, is it?” Same deal; sniff, swirl, spit, sink. If I wanted something bland, expensive and useless I’d buy Corona.

Stubby #3. Before I said anything, in chimed mum: “This one’s different.” Me: Pours slightly cloudier than first two. Smells of pear and barley husk. Malty, rich creamy palate, accentuated by nice florals.  This is crisp and dry, with delightful summer fruits and florals. Sniff, swirl, spit, polish the rest off with glee.

Still no solution. When you get a good one, it’s like someone put Knappstein reserve on a diet and made it sessionable. Lovely.

7/10 Update

Stubby #4 Sabe al Corona, Senor! Ole! Siguienti por favor….

Stubby #5 As above.

One lurks for a Friday night knock off beer. But will it live upto expectations?