Scuttlebut Brewing Company
(short notes)

Everett, Washington, USA

Wheat

Strong Wheat Ale

* * * 1/2

The wheat is a very strong, high gravity brew (in the 1.070 range if memory serves). It also features a nice hoppy presence. An interesting, somewhat innovative beer. Remniscient of the Rubicon Wheat Wine, but slightly weaker (more quaffable) and hoppier.

Anniversary Amber

West Coast American Amber

* * 1/2

This beer positions itself as a distinctive West Coast amber ale. I found a hazy beer with absolutely no bouquet of which to speak. The flavor tends towards the malt, with a chalky opening, a long but slightly subdued malty middle, and a mild hoppy bitterness to finish. A hint of diacetyl gave some character to an otherwise unremarkable beer. This is just the sort of beer that gives the West Coast amber ale style a bad name in the eyes of Jeff Frane and others. An unadventerous beer.