Best Features: unique and smoky

Dead Frog Brewery (formerly known as Backwoods Brewing) has been in existence for 2 1/2 years. Time to celebrate with the release of their 2 1/2 Anniversary Ale. This beer is as unique as Dead Frog Brewery.

According to the brewery website, 2 1/2 Anniversary Ale is a "lightly smoked amber ale exclusively available in the Dead Frog Mixer". I have had the opportunity to taste the beer a couple of times. It was a featured beer at Oktoberfest 2009 and I have also featured it for private beer tasting events. The pour produces an amber beer with a loose head. In the glass the aroma of smoke is very apparent. The specialty malts and hops used in this beer are imported and specialty created to create smoky esters.

This beer is definitely unique. It is hard to decide if the beer is too smoky in flavour and aroma or if it reminds me of the gentle reminder and taste of smoldering damp wood. Nevertheless, there are definite flavours of wood, hints of vanilla, caramel and dark chocolate. The bitterness is more like bitter dark chocolate rather than citrus bitterness produced by hops. The first sips I found a little unbalanced but as I progressed through the beer, I found that several other flavours came to the forefront. This beer could probably use more sweet flavours and a longer maturation process to take away the initial, almost overwhelming, flavour of smoke. Serve Dead Frog 2 1/2 Anniversary Ale at temperatures between 8-12 degrees Celsius to help the palate recognize some of the subtle flavours.

Food Pairings:  2 1/2 Anniversary Ale reminds people of smoked salmon and other meats that are smoked. Salty foods will bring out some of the sweet chocolate flavour. Gouda and Manchego cheese (possibly asiago cheese) will pair nicely and any food made with liquid smoke. Pork and beef briskets cooked with wood chips or a special BBQ smoker will also pair nicely.

Beer Fact:  Dead Frog Brewery offers the 2 1/2 Anniversary Ale only in mixer packs. This 12 pack of beer is hand packed and features 4 different types of beers. Providing seasonal ales and specialty beers in a mixer pack is an excellent way for companies to introduce new products.