The Swill: Real McCoy Amber Ale
The Still: Mammoth Brewing Company
Mammoth Lakes, California
http://www.mammothbrewingco.com
The Drill: Amber/Wheat Ale, 12oz bottle, 4.5% ABV
The Spill: Coppery in color, this is a light, mild, easy drinking beer. Just enough malt adds a bit more character than the average light-fare ale, with a sweet body that's somewhat bready and buttery. The hops stays out of the way, allowing this to be an excellent beer to have after a long day's hike in the Sierras in July.
Says Bill: Having just enjoyed one of these this past Friday at Dave's, it brought back all the memories I have of seven different trips to Bishop, California. Most notably, I harkened back to the one restaurant I've never failed to eat at, Whiskey Creek. Holly and I ate there in 2005, and have brought all of our friends and family there who've subsequently traveled with us. With the exception of Frank, who was suffering from altitude sickness and bailed back to the room before ordering his food, everyone has had their favorite Bishop dinner at that place, and they keep several Mammoth brews available on tap. There's no place better when you've just hiked a few miles at a few thousand feet, and there's no better brand of beer to have when you're up that way, since it's made locally and delivered fresh. That said, this beer is bottle conditioned, and the one I enjoyed Friday kept nicely since its purchase last July.
Refill?: Nothing goes better with that cajun creamed corn pastry thingy at Whiskey Creek. Those of you who have had it know what I'm talking about: 3 taps out of 5.