Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Cookhouse restaurants only
Price comparison: $5 a pint on tap at the restaurant. ($2 drafts on Sundays after two and Monday nights during football season.)
Alcohol percentage by volume: Unknown (house brew, varying averages). Certainly no more than 5% and probably less because it was very fresh.
Cute bottle/label? Served on tap in a chilled stout glass. Not proper glassware, as such, if one is going to be all anal about such things, but stout glasses are durable, economical, and sensible in a barbecue restaurant on a football day. And it was chilled, which is a point of consideration.
Appearance: Clear deep golden with a creamy white head. Not much visible carbonation activity.
Scent: Flowery hops.
Flavor: Slight hint of grassy bell pepper and citrus, but overall, a startling resemblance to a sixty-minute IPA in flavor (though not in kick); extremely hoppy and very little malt throughout. Clean, crisp mouthfeel with light sparkly bubbles, and a nicely dry finish.
Impressions: Tasty and refreshing pale ale. Very light and easily drinkable. Would probably cellar well if someone wanted to take the time and effort to bottle and store it. If your tastes don't tend toward stronger, more alcoholic beers, this is an excellent session brew and also pairs very well with the barbecue and home-cooking that is the Cookhouse's signature style.
My main problem with this beer is its non-nationwide status. I could recommend it to everyone I know, but many of them wouldn't be able even to sample it without getting on a plane. I can't see the Cookhouse bottling it for distribution anytime soon, and I can't say I blame them.
Will I buy this beer again? The first time I ate at this restaurant, I had Magic Hat 9 just because I was so delighted to find it on tap. However, having discovered this house offering, I'll be ordering Cookhouse Ale from now on, unless I specifically want something stronger.
Rating:
3½ out of 5 cute beer glasses
Reviewed: October 9, 2006
