Beer of the Weekend #487: Pennant Ale '55

The beer of the weekend is Pennant Ale ’55, brewed by the Brooklyn Brewery of Utica, New York.


Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “BB” date printed on the neck is “SEP 2013.”

Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is pale copper and a finger of dense, buttery, off-white head dissipated slowly and a little unevenly.

Smell: Wow. A chewy and enticing blend of bready, grassy malts (reminiscent of Czech pilsner) and caramel. As the beer warms, scents of toffee, molasses, and peat emerge.

Taste: Though the smells is more pilsner-like, the taste is much like a Scotch ale. Toasted malts, caramel, toffee, peat (which may just end up being a handful of smoked malt — or the Scottish Maris Otter malt mentioned on the beer’s webpage), a little molasses, and licorice.

Drinkability: This beer is solid. It offers great flavor and is very drinkable.

Fun facts about Pennant Ale ’55:

-Style: The brewery calls it “English-style Pale Ale.”

-Price: Oops! I forgot the receipt. Regardless, I bought it at the venerable Zipp’s Liquors on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis.

-Alcohol content: 5 percent ABV.

-Food pairings: According to the beer’s webpage, “Brooklyn Pennant Ale is great with pizza, roasted and grilled meats, burgers, barbecue, robust fish, shellfish, falafel, crab cakes, and spicy food. Caramel malts lend it the ability to work nicely with steaks, but just as well with grilled vegetables. For cheese, pair up with Stilton and Gorgonzola Dolce.”

-IBU: 24.

-Calories: 180 per 12-ounce serving.


The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.

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