From Yukon Brewing in Whitehorse in the Yukon Territories (Northern Canada 2,400km North of Vancouver BC) comes the “Lead Dog Olde English Ale”.  The beer pours a deep ruby red to brown colour with an off white head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, dark fruits, molasses, nuts and a hint of chocolate.  The flavour is of roasted malts, chocolate, molasses, dark fruits, earth, nuts and a mild caramel in the finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 7%.  I have only had a very limited amount of Yukon Brewing to this point but this was a very tasty ale and I look forward to trying a bunch more of their beer soon!

Commercial Description:

How could we survive the Yukon winters without a winter warmer? Well, I guess Yukoners have been doing it for many years before we showed up, but this Olde English Ale has to make the whole thing a little more bearable.

This brew is not for the faint of heart; it doesn’t leap out and bite you (most Lead Dogs are better trained than that), but it will most certainly sneak up and knock you for a loop if given the chance (this character might be more comparable to that of the Malamute and Husky!).  Brewed to be high test, 7% alcohol by volume, the beer nonetheless drinks very smooth; the product of a careful blend of six different malts, and 2 months of aging after fermentation. The dark chocolate appearance is reminiscent of a porter, and the slightly darkened creamy head tops the look. But the first sip lets you know that this beer can be consumed, in quantity if desired (or required?), without leading to an overly full gullet.  Intricate malt flavours predominate, with a medium mouth-feel and a very light bitter. This ale promises to take the chill off after running the team in the crisp January nights.

Food Pairing as per the brewery:  Pan Asian, Feta, Gouda, Asiago, Salad, Poultry