The good news is that West O has this same beer in bottle format which is still to be reviewed. Hopefully the score will come out a bit higher from the bottle, but as far as the draft I had at El Bait Shop in Des Moines, not so good. This one is a smokebeer in name only. It gets frustrating taking sip after sip, trying to pull out flavors that just aren’t there. Sometimes I trick myself into thinking smoke is there when it isn’t. Furthermore, halfway through a beer is a difficult time for one’s palate to review taste with a clean slate. My initial sips are usually the ones that lead the review, and in this case, my thoughts were harsh critics. Sip after sip, which led to chugs, I couldn’t advance the score any farther than 2 for Overall Happiness. I can drink this beer again and again, and I can serve it to friends and family, but I can’t in good conscience give this a positive smokebeer review. The Ministry continues. Sorry folks.
| Brewer | West O Beer |
| Beer Name | Smoked Red Ale (Draft) |
| Brewer’s Description | Roasted malts yield nutty flavors mixed with caramelly dark fruit. Hints of forest and campfire; low bitterness. 6.5% ABV, 20 IBU |
| Food Pairings | Tacos |
| Brewer Location | West Okoboji Lake, IA |
| Alcohol content by volume | 6.5% |
| IBU (International Bitterness Units) | 20 |
| Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) | 4 |
| Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) | 2 |
| Sausage detection? Y or N | N |
| Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks | 1 |
| Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) | 2 |
For more info:
SmokeBeerMinistry 