Great-Scot, It's Organic!

Great-Scot-It's all Natural!

1. Pale Ale -> Cool
2. Made in Scotland -> Super Cool!
3. USDA Certified Organic -> Double Super Cool!!

I picked up this bottle for little reason other than that it was the only Organic beer on the shelf. With as much beer as I drink (and I drink a lot of beer) it's not often that I try a type or style that I've never tried before. Although I consider myself a (mild) environmentalist enthusiast, I cannot remember ever picking up a bottle of 100 per cent USDA certified organic beer.* As with wine, produce, and pretty much any consumable product in the American market, in order for a label to carry the USDA Certified logo the product must be made 100% naturally (Read: no chemical fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides or artificial flavorings).

Organic brewing isn't a new concept in beer. Hell, beer began as an organic product (now, admittedly although early beer was organic it most likely wasn't any good. In fact, in terms of flavor, and probably more closely resembled stale, fermented, bread-juice than modern beer). However, in recent years the concept of making beer organically has seen an increase and today more and more breweries are producing tasty, natural, beer.

So, enough flirting, lets get right to it with today's BREW REVIEW!

This beer is light straw in color with a hint of honeycomb-orange. I poured the beer right down the center of the glass and was rewarded with a nice, rich, white head. The aroma was extremely light and crisp (more akin to a Czech style Pilsner than a Pale ale) and didn't come off particularly complex.

Upon tasting the beer its high acidity and upfront bitterness dominated my palate. Beyond the zip of acidity, I was disappointed by an all around lack flavor and depth. I'm not sure if my palate is just condition to huge flavor-bombs after a month of almost exclusively drinking hearty winter warmers and rich, spicy, Christmas ales, but this beer just seamed to fall flat big time. There was some green-straw flavoring, and a touch of hops, but that's about it!

Overall I have to say I was not wild about it. On a hot summer day, if I don't have anything else in the fridge, maybe... but if that's all you can say about a beer, than it might not be worth picking up at all. I'm not discouraged though, I know there are some great organic beers out there, and I will find them. If you know of one worth seeking out let me know, I would love to try a few of the good ones so that the next time some one asks me 'hey, brew dork, do you know of a good organic beer I should try?' I can make a confident recommendation**

-Prost!

D.Lux

* I have to take it back already... just a couple of months ago I enjoyed a 'Au Natural' Organic Blond Ale by Grand Teton Brewing Company. Oh well, I'm sure there's still virgin beer-territory out there somewhere!

** What? You don't think I get that question? I get that question ALL THE TIME! I'm the Brew Dork Damn it! :-P