Beer of the Weekend #118: Jumping Cow Amber Ale
The beer this weekend is Jumping Cow Amber Ale apparently brewed by the Firestone Walker Brewing Company of Paso Robles, California.
I say “apparently brewed” because the brewer listed on the label is the Steinhaus Brewing Company, which BA considers a “beer marketing company.” Ratebeer.com, however, lists the brewer as Firestone Walker, which I know for sure is a real brewery. I don’t understand this kind beer secrecy. If it’s good brew, why not put your real name on it? Though, I’m sure a lot of it has to do with TJ’s wanting to appear like it’s self-sufficient and self-contained, and the brewers wanting to pump out more beer without looking like they’ve sold out to the macro concept.
I first drank Jumping Cow in Santa Cruz. It was my first Golden State brew discovery as a Californian, and it always brings back memories of my few months on the Monterey Bay. Oh, Santa Cruz…
Serving type: Six 12-ounce bottles. No freshness date. After two weeks of sampling four-packs, it’s good to be trying a beer served in a proper sixer. (Red Stripe, though comes in sixers.)
Appearance: Poured a clean, copper/amber into a pint glass. About two fingers of off-white head rose and dissipated to a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: Beautiful malts. It’s mostly caramel, but I also picked up vanilla, floral hops, and just a tiny hint of pine.
Taste: Follows the smell — heavy caramel malts with outlying flavors of vanilla and brown sugar — but the odd thing is the hop bite is up front; it was the first thing I tasted.
Drinkability: A very smooth and tasty beer. It’s not too complex, but it’s good drinking.
Fun facts about Jumping Cow:
-Style: American Amber/Red Ale. I’m well acquainted with amber ale, but here’s a good description of the style from BA:
-Price: $5.99/sixer at TJ’s.
-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 5.5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA only has a few recommendations. Sharp cheeses (Blue and Cheddar) and meat (beef, poultry, and fish).
-I’m feeling lazy tonight. Plus, I doubt there’s anything else I can find about Jumping Cow.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
I say “apparently brewed” because the brewer listed on the label is the Steinhaus Brewing Company, which BA considers a “beer marketing company.” Ratebeer.com, however, lists the brewer as Firestone Walker, which I know for sure is a real brewery. I don’t understand this kind beer secrecy. If it’s good brew, why not put your real name on it? Though, I’m sure a lot of it has to do with TJ’s wanting to appear like it’s self-sufficient and self-contained, and the brewers wanting to pump out more beer without looking like they’ve sold out to the macro concept.
I first drank Jumping Cow in Santa Cruz. It was my first Golden State brew discovery as a Californian, and it always brings back memories of my few months on the Monterey Bay. Oh, Santa Cruz…
Serving type: Six 12-ounce bottles. No freshness date. After two weeks of sampling four-packs, it’s good to be trying a beer served in a proper sixer. (Red Stripe, though comes in sixers.)
Appearance: Poured a clean, copper/amber into a pint glass. About two fingers of off-white head rose and dissipated to a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: Beautiful malts. It’s mostly caramel, but I also picked up vanilla, floral hops, and just a tiny hint of pine.
Taste: Follows the smell — heavy caramel malts with outlying flavors of vanilla and brown sugar — but the odd thing is the hop bite is up front; it was the first thing I tasted.
Drinkability: A very smooth and tasty beer. It’s not too complex, but it’s good drinking.
Fun facts about Jumping Cow:
-Style: American Amber/Red Ale. I’m well acquainted with amber ale, but here’s a good description of the style from BA:
Primarily a catch all for any beer less than a Dark Ale in color, ranging from amber (duh) to deep red hues. This style of beer tends to focus on the malts, but hop character can range from low to high. Expect a balanced beer, with toasted malt characters and a light fruitiness in most examples. The range can run from a basic ale, to American brewers who brew faux-Oktoberfest style beers that are actually ales instead of lagers.
-Price: $5.99/sixer at TJ’s.
-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 5.5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA only has a few recommendations. Sharp cheeses (Blue and Cheddar) and meat (beef, poultry, and fish).
-I’m feeling lazy tonight. Plus, I doubt there’s anything else I can find about Jumping Cow.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
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