Alley Kat – Cascadian Dark Ale
Date: Friday, January 14, 2011
Brewery: Alley Kat
Beer: Cascadian Dark Ale
Category: Specialty Beer
ABV: 7.60%
Brewed in: Canada (Edmonton, AB)
Pours a dark red-amber brownish color with a thick tan head. The head seemed to grow forever. Retention is average and lacing was present but minimal.
The aroma is of roasted malts and coffee with some orange and grapefruit citrus notes.
Taste is initially heavy on the malts but yields to a citrusy sweetness. The flavors are very different – chocolate and grapefruit are noticeable – but very balanced. The beer is hoppier than other dark ales. The sweetness has an almost floral aspect to it.
The mouthfeel is smooth and moderately carbonated.
This was a very solid offering from Alley Kat for the 15th Anniversary. I wish I had tried some other “Black IPAs” or Cascadian Dark Ales for comparison purposes.
Rating:
beerisseur 
You should try Widmer’s Pitch Black IPA as a comparison (http://www.widmer.com/beer_w_series.aspx)… if you can get it up there!
January 18, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Thanks for the comment! I checked if we can get that beer in Alberta and, sadly, we can’t. I appreciate the suggestion though.
I noticed your email is Sawtooth Brewery located in Ketchum. I have family there – perhaps one day you’ll get an email from me for a personal tour (and tasting) at your brewery!
January 18, 2011 at 11:56 AM
You are more than welcome to come visit.
Here are a couple more you might be able to get your hands on – http://draftmag.com/features/black-ipa-cascadian-dark/
January 18, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Ahhh – I see a Deschutes brew there. We don’t get any of their beer but I tried their Obsidian Stout in Seattle a few years back and loved it.
Thanks for the link.
January 18, 2011 at 2:30 PM