Beer of the Weekend #351: Cain's Dark Mild
Since I tried Cain’s Finest Bitter last week, I decided it was only proper to sample its darker brother: Cain’s Dark Mild, brewed by the Robert Cain Brewery of Liverpool, England.
The can, every beer rating site, and the brewery website use “Cains” instead of “Cain’s.” Isn’t it possessive? Cain makes it, so it is Cain’s beer. Whatever. As long as someone can brew good beer I will overlook their bad punctuation.
Serving type: 14.9-ounce (440 ml) can. The date printed on the bottom of the can is, coincidentally, today: “04 MAY 12.” Just in the nick of time.
Appearance: Straight pour into a Guinness imperial pint glass. The color is an almost opaque black (probably just as dark as the glass’ namesake). Two fingers of thick, buttery, slightly tanned head dissipated slowly to form a frothy cap.
Smell: Molasses, maple syrup, burnt caramel, dark chocolate, toffee, and maybe some dark fruit raspberry. The syrup and burnt caramel are reminiscent of the scent of boiled pop from my high school Chemistry class; it was the leftover, crispy-edged syrup after the water was boiled away. As it warms the burnt character dissipates and morphs into scents of dark and milk chocolate.
Taste: The mouthfeel is light and watery, but it is smooth and gives the impression it could be thick and creamy. The lightness does lend itself to nitro can stouts as it imparts a kind of airiness. The flavors basically mirror the scents, but everything is much weaker: molasses, burnt caramel, dark chocolate, toffee, and maybe raspberry. Each mouthful leaves a tasty, burnt caramel aftertaste.
Drinkability: Though light and on the weak side, it is tasty and very drinkable. I am definitely eager to have another.
Fun facts about “Cains Dark Mild”:
-Style: BA classifies it as “English Dark Mild Ale.” Here is the BA description:
-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 3.2 percent ABV — probably the lowest ever for a BotW beer.
-Food pairings: BA recommends peppery cheeses, chocolate, and grilled meat.
-According to Mervgotti, all Cain’s beer is “shit.” Not a shining endorsement from its local distributor, eh? However, he did say that Cain’s Export actually tastes like beer — to him, at least.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B-.
The can, every beer rating site, and the brewery website use “Cains” instead of “Cain’s.” Isn’t it possessive? Cain makes it, so it is Cain’s beer. Whatever. As long as someone can brew good beer I will overlook their bad punctuation.
Serving type: 14.9-ounce (440 ml) can. The date printed on the bottom of the can is, coincidentally, today: “04 MAY 12.” Just in the nick of time.
Appearance: Straight pour into a Guinness imperial pint glass. The color is an almost opaque black (probably just as dark as the glass’ namesake). Two fingers of thick, buttery, slightly tanned head dissipated slowly to form a frothy cap.
Smell: Molasses, maple syrup, burnt caramel, dark chocolate, toffee, and maybe some dark fruit raspberry. The syrup and burnt caramel are reminiscent of the scent of boiled pop from my high school Chemistry class; it was the leftover, crispy-edged syrup after the water was boiled away. As it warms the burnt character dissipates and morphs into scents of dark and milk chocolate.
Taste: The mouthfeel is light and watery, but it is smooth and gives the impression it could be thick and creamy. The lightness does lend itself to nitro can stouts as it imparts a kind of airiness. The flavors basically mirror the scents, but everything is much weaker: molasses, burnt caramel, dark chocolate, toffee, and maybe raspberry. Each mouthful leaves a tasty, burnt caramel aftertaste.
Drinkability: Though light and on the weak side, it is tasty and very drinkable. I am definitely eager to have another.
Fun facts about “Cains Dark Mild”:
-Style: BA classifies it as “English Dark Mild Ale.” Here is the BA description:
The quintessential British session beer, like its name suggests, a Mild is known for its low level of hops character. Alcohol content is traditionally very low. Grainy to toasty malts might be present, but expect some body from the high dextrins produced in brewing. Low carbonation with a near still, bubbly head. Colors can range from gold to dark brown. Traditionally a draft beer made popular in London and the Midlands of England.-Price: $7.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 3.2 percent ABV — probably the lowest ever for a BotW beer.
-Food pairings: BA recommends peppery cheeses, chocolate, and grilled meat.
-According to Mervgotti, all Cain’s beer is “shit.” Not a shining endorsement from its local distributor, eh? However, he did say that Cain’s Export actually tastes like beer — to him, at least.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B-.
