Drygate Brewery: Outaspace Apple Ale
- Chris Lee
- Jun 21, 2015
- 2 min read
My continued exploration of the Scottish brewing scene has led me past a series of super funky bottle designs by Drygate Brewery The eye catching future-retro bottle designs of their 3 core brands (Outaspace Apple Ale, Gladeye IPA, & Bearface Lager) are very hard not to notice. After sighting their beers a few times, I decided to take the plunge and pick up a bottle of Outaspace Apple Ale. To be totally honest, I've never tried an apple ale before so I was a tad skeptical and my expectations were pretty mediocre for obvious reasons.
Drygate Outaspace Apple Ale pours a brilliant and bright golden hue with near perfect transparency. On first inspection, I would guess this beer must have a grain bill that features only a single malt, possibly two. It has a big foam hat on first pour that becomes light and lacing as it dissipates to a small coating layer. On first inspection, this beer has the appearance of a lager.
Aroma wise, this beer is lightly grassy, notes of wet straw, and a subtle amount of what I would describe as a bite of that granny smith apple I left in myhigh school backpack a week ago. On the palette, it has a surprisingly thick body. It looks like a lighter bodied beer but it does indeed have some thickness. My first sip tastes like mix of pale malt and burnt apple that is bordering close to sour. This beer exists at the complete opposite end of what I was expecting to find; specifically apple pie or caramalized apple flavours. Im really not too sure how they flavour this apple ale, whether its through apple juice or "hint of apple" imparting hops so I'm a tad confused trying to narrow it down. As it finishes, there is a gentle floraly hop taste that is accompanied by light notes of white wine. Its sweet yet pungent at the same time. Outaspace Apple Ale leaves an a cidery sweet coating on the roof of my mouth as a final send off.
For my first apple ale, I'm not blown away. This style doesn't really do it for me personally. There are some great qualities in this beer and I think if you're a cider fan this could be your gateway drug into the world of craft beer. Pairing wise: allow this beer to take you down a path directly to porkchops, latkes, and even doughnuts.
Outaspace Apple Ale, you get a "C" as your final mark. This is a well crafted and unique beer that represents a style that I just don't think is for me. I can't imagine buying this again but I would definitely suggest it to some of my cider fanboy friends.
Support your local brewery!
Chris
