Review of Kentucky Ale

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Review of Kentucky Ale

04 Jul

For tonight’s review I’m going to be sampling the Kentucky Ale brewed by the Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company located right in the middle of “horse” country in Lexington, Kentucky. Actually, this brew was the official beer of the World Equestrian Games in 2010 (which is like the Olympics for horses) held in Lexington, so it was a big deal around these parts because it was the first time the Games had ever been held in the United States.

I have already reviewed both the Kentucky Light and the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, so be sure to check out those reviews when you have a moment.

Alltech only brews these three beers and the Kentucky Ale is considered their flagship and most readily available.

A little description from kentuckyale.com.

Our Master Brewers describe Kentucky Ale as a marriage between two classic beer styles, Irish Red Ale and English Pale Ale.

Light amber in color, Kentucky Ale owes its unique body and character to select imported malts and a pinch of wheat malt for a rich, smooth taste.

The unique body and character of Kentucky Ale is heavily influenced by the water, drawn from aquifers in the limestone rock underlying the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky.

Let’s pour the Kentucky Ale.

This beer has an ABV of 5.34% and comes in a 12 oz. bottle.

In the glass the beer appeared a very clear, light copper to light amber color. Golden highlights shimmered across the bottom and sides of the glass. It had a slightly off white head that poured to a nice size; was somewhat soapy and smooth, yet didn’t have a tremendous amount of retention. The lacing looked ok to begin with, but as the brew settled it completely vanished along with any trace of a cap.

The aroma kicked off with a decent burst of caramel malt and tones of vanilla extract. Pretty sweet smelling really. A grainy, bready note along with a freshly “beat” dough helped simmer some of the sweetness. Some hops were found, which smelled both a bit floral and a bit earthy. I found the aroma to be balanced pretty well to tell the truth.

The taste re-introduced the caramel malt, but this time it brought along a hint of butter. The hops were more “earthy” in the taste, however they seemed to be more relaxed and subdued. Definitely a more “malt forward” beer. The grain savor came through, but it leaned more to a wheat bread implication. Not a bad taste here actually.

The mouthfeel was medium, smooth, crisp and semi-refreshing. Some flavor was left behind, but not a whole lot. It was gone pretty quick.

This brew is not bad at all. It had some distinct character and was complex enough for some discussion. This would be a great introductory craft beer for anyone looking to branch out from the “macro” world. It glides down smooth and easy, is not too filling and very easy to drink. I don’t think I would have any problem enjoying this for a night or at anytime during the year. It’s not an extraordinary brew, but it does give us Kentuckians a local beer to enjoy and celebrate here in the middle of Bourbon country. Pick up a bottle or two and see for yourself.

I trust everyone is having a great holiday weekend and enjoying some tasty craft beer.

Thanks for reading. Cheers!!!

Score: 3.45 out of 5
Grade: B-