REVIEW: 18th Street Brewery Cockfight

TL;DR summary : Intriguingly complex but  comfortably drinkable. 

Beer style: farmhouse ale

ABV: 6.3

What I paid: nothing, it was from a friend

How it came (packaging): 6? 12oz cans

Brewery link: http://www.18thstreetbrewery.com/

About the Beer: 18^th Street Brewery is fairly new. They’ve setup shop in Miller, a revitalized neighborhood in Gary, Indiana. I visited twice while I was in the area. It’s a small but neat and seemingly well-run place with decent food that attracts an eclectic mix of clientele. I would stop in for a sandwich and a pint or three if you get the chance.

While 18^th street  brews a wide range of beers they do have a special sour series that seems to be a big focus. Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling one hundred percent when I visited and so I skipped the sours. Don’t do that. I did have this beer on draft while I was there, and by chance a friend of mine gave me a can as part of a trade.

18^th Street Describes this particular beer as “emitting complex earthy and yeasty esters, reminiscent of the smell of a good old-fashioned day on the farm with the chickens.” That’s it. I’m not sure everybody would consider that a good thing, but they certainly give you room to make your own judgment.

Color/appearance: straw colored, effervescent white head

Aroma: spice, a little banana, a little yeasty, a little sweet.

Mouth feel: light bodied, smooth.

Flavor: slightly spicy, hint of sour, a citrus note floral? finishes clean

Notes: easy drinking, not overly spicy, very subtle, but still sophisticated. Good for a muggy night. There is a quality and a flavor that I couldn’t wrap my head around with one. It left me wanting more.

Summary:  I like this beer. It’s drinkable yet complex enough that it doesn’t get boring. I don’t know if I got the “earthy esters” and it certainly didn’t remind me of a day on the farm or chickens, but it’s a good beer. I will say that it was better from the tap. It seemed to have a bit more body and a spicier note.  The difference wasn’t great enough that I would pass it up in a can, but it is worth noting.

Rating : 3.5

1 – avoid

2 – if it’s the only choice, I guess

3 – a decent beer. Drinkable.

4 – good beer – hard to turn down

5 – great beer - One of my favorites, pour me another.

Style: 3