Review Date 9/14/1997
Try? Re-buy?
Friends Brewing Company, formerly of
Helen, Georgia is now headed for Atlanta. It seems they don't have brewing
facilities for the time being, and are currently contract brewing at August
Schell in New Ulm, Minnesota.
I have enjoyed their beers in the past, and wish them luck in their
expansion. In the mean time, based on the quality of their Georgia Mountain
Maple Ale, it seems that Schell is doing right by them in their contract
arrangements.
Georgia Mountain Maple Ale is brewed with 70% pale and 30% Munich malt. Hops are Northern Brewer and Mt. Hood, but the real flavor component here is the maple. The brewery claims the beer is an excellent accompaniment to pancakes or French toast, and they may well be correct. This beer is quite syrupy, thick, sweet and sticky. The label indicates a hint of maple flavor in this amber colored brew, but the maple is in fact dominating, though a bit of malt does poke through in the middle and the hops battle to keep the brew from being cloying in the finish. An interesting brew and a nice change of pace.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft