Two New Beers from Otter Creek

By JASON AND TODD ALSTRÖM

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This week we're going to taste a couple of new brews from Otter Creek Brewing in Middlebury, Ve., brewers of some of New England's finest beers, including Wolaver's line of certified organic beers. From the OCB, we have complete opposites: a Kölsch and a Baltic Porter.

Otter Creek Spring Ale: German-style Kölsch

It's nice to see any early spring release—this one came out in January. Makes the winter seem, well, less wintery. It's also nice to see a spring seasonal offering that's not another Belgian Wit or other wheat beer. As for the Kölsch, it's a rather light and delicate German ale style with roots in Köln. Not an overly popular style here in the US, so it's a welcome sight for our beer geek eyes.

Clear and bright golden-colored brew, with a white head that drops to a translucent lace. Fresh grain and a touch of green grass in the nose. Very smooth on the palate with a near-medium body. Crisp snap up front, with a moderate carbonation level. Hint of mineral opens up to a biscuity malt profile, followed by a hint of honey and bread. Dry overall; mildly sweet. Soft herbal hop character, then more grass. Dry and biscuity in the finish, with some lingering grain.

A well-built Kölsch. Balanced. Very refreshing beer. Quite the session beer. The world needs more. Available from January to April in six- and 12-packs and draft.

Sea Otter Baltic Porter

Sea Otter is part of the "Otter Creek World Tour" of special release beers, this one being a strong, robust old-world Porter that was once specifically brewed to endure shipments across the North Sea back in the 1700s.

Rich, dark brown—near black—with a cascading, foamy, super creamy, beige-colored head. Decent retention. Husky and nutty: roasted cocoa beans, dark chocolate, malted milk, coffee in the nose. Smooth, creamy palate, medium-bodied with a slightly roasted astringent undercurrent. Overly chocolatey; more akin to unsweetened baker's chocolate. Brown bread center that turns faintly nutty toward the end. Toasted marshmallows. Thin hop character and leafiness. Hint of grape. Clean, warming alcohol. Dry finish, lingering chocolate and breadiness.

A damn tasty and highly drinkable Baltic Porter with a very complex and interesting malt profile, thanks to the use of Carafa barley malt. Definitely do a taste while it's around. Tervist! Available for a limited time in 22 ounce bomber and draft formats.

FOR MORE INFO: OTTERCREEKBREWING.COM

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RESPECT BEER.