Lost Coast Alleycat and Indica
The California Experience in a Microbrew
California's Lost Coast Brewery has winners with their Alleycat Amber Ale and Indica India Pale Ale.
Lost Coast Brewery was the brainchild of Barbara Groom and Wendy Pound, originally starting life as a brewpub in 1990. Its original home was the Pythian Castle in Eureka, California, a wood-framed structure originally owned by The Fraternal Order of the Knights of Pythias. With a start like that, you tend to expect attention-getting brews, and Lost Coast generally comes through.
Alleycat Amber Ale pours a nice dark reddish-amber, and looks almost orange when held up to the light. The head was a creamy off-white, fairly thin, and left just a trace of lacing behind. There was a hint of caramel in the aroma. The aroma of malt was much more noticeable, with a slightly bread-y smell, and just a bit of floral hops.
The flavor is more than might be expected from the aroma. There is a good smooth malt flavor, slightly sweet, with a nice aftertaste. The hops become much more noticeable if the beer is allowed to warm slightly, but there’s still very little bitterness.
Alleycat Amber has a good medium mouthfeel, and is smooth and drinkable. It has enough carbonation to avoid that “flat” feel, but stops short of being soda-pop fizzy. Alleycat makes a good session beer, especially in the summer heat.
Alleycat Amber pairs easily with many foods. It goes well with strongly flavored cheeses such as bleu cheese or sharp cheddar. It’s also a good choice for cutting the heat of spicy or peppery foods. It’s best served in a traditional pint glass or mug, and cellared at 40-45 degrees. With 5.50% ABV, Alleycat Amber isn’t recommended for extended cellaring or aging.
Indica India Pale Ale pours a dark amber with a thick, fluffy sand colored head that left heavy lacing. The aroma is definitely hoppy, with herbal and citrus notes obvious, but the aroma is nicely balanced by sweet, bready malt.
The aroma doesn’t mislead. The flavor is malty for an IPA, bready with hint of caramel, but as the beer warms, the snap of the hops takes center stage with a bang. Indica finishes with an almost fruity flavor, and a definite alcohol bite. This beer has a good medium mouthful, even slightly creamy, but is still well carbonated.
With a 6.5% ABV, it’s a little strong for a session beer, but it’s still drinkable enough to enjoy more than one. Indica is strong enough to hold up to very spicy foods, like curries or Thai food, or with strong cheeses like bleu, pepper jack, gorgonzola or limburger. Cellar at 40-45 degrees, and serve in a pint glass or mug.
