When I first saw the bottle on the shelf a few weeks back I laughed. I, out loud, laughed.
The bottle was Annex Ale Project Deuce Malt Liquor. Yes you read that right – Malt Liquor. It has been literally decades since I have consumed anything labelled “malt liquor”
That is why I laughed. I got the joke. Annex Ales – a brewery noted for its quality ales (and sodas) released a malt liquor to celebrate its second anniversary. That is funny.
And, of course, I had to buy the beer.
And I can say it is interesting. I can’t be sure exactly what Andrew Bullied was looking for when he brewed it, but I tasted it in the ironic nature I think he intended.
The beer runs at 7% alcohol and comes in this hilarious 1.2 litre screw top bottle (that is part of why I laughed so much). I do feel a need to note that while it is funny in the context of a craft brewery anniversary beer, the big bottles of cheap, high alcohol beer made by the big boys were/are seriously problematic for vulnerable people with addictions.
The aroma starts with a soft pilsner like malt, followed by a touch of graininess. I also pick up some hints of fruit and honey. Overall it is fairly clean. It pours a medium gold with a slight haze. It forms a big, rocky white head that leaves not insignificant lacing.
In the sip, I first get a bit of generic fruitiness and some soft graininess. The middle picks up a sharp grassy note and a hint of apple. Things go a bit weird on the finish. A harshness develops and a fairly strong alcohol character emerges. The linger has a rough alcohol and yeasty note.
Well, it has been long enough that I don’t remember what my last malt liquor tasted like, so I can’t tell you if this is to style or not. It does seem reminiscent of what malt liquor is about – big alcohol, some graininess and lacking finesse.
It was fun to try – and definitely a cool enough concept to merit writing about – but I am pretty sure I enjoyed it more for the novely than the beer. Not one of Annex’s best efforts, but I am not sure that is what they were even going for.
September 19, 2019 at 8:52 AM
Not to style. In all honest it’s a well done ISL from my point of view. It has been a few months since its release and I am not sure they made a second batch. When I had it I quiet enjoyed it for what it was and the humor value it brought.
September 19, 2019 at 2:19 PM
That’s why I love Annex. They keep the fun in brewing and are never shy to experiment. To me, they convey the love of beer and brewing and focus on that. Naturally, the product shines and the business takes care of itself. The efforts are placed on the passion for brewing instead of hitting sales targets and narrowing cost margins. It’s a better way to do things, don’t you think?