Sherlock's Home Brewpub
(short notes)

Minnetonka, Minnesota

All beers reviewed at the brewpub, August 7, 1996.

Sherlock's Home is noted for some of the best cask ales in the United States. Most of their beers are authentic cask-conditioned, served on handpump. (In these notes, the first four beers were served as Real Ale).

Pipers Pride

Scottish Ale

* * * *

Nice, peaty aroma, the flavor follows through with nice light malty notes, some peatiness in the flavor. At 1.046, an excellent session beer.

Palace Porter

Porter

* * * 1/2

Chocolatey notes in the nose, good roasty profile in the flavor. Finishes a bit thin, but at 1.042 yet another good session beer.

Stags Head

Stout

* * *

Not Irish in flavor, but rather interesting nonetheless. Buttery, coffee, and toffee notes in the flavor and aroma. Body a bit on the thin side for a 1.056.

Bishops Bitter

Ordinary Bitter

* * * * 1/2

One of the best Real Ales in the United States, that I have had. Compares favorably with the old Sam Adams Cask Ale (available only in Boston) and the offerings from Commonwealth Brewing Company (also in Boston). As I have written elsewhere, I believe that West Coast ales are too aggressive in flavor to really bring out the best in cask conditioning. This is a very subtle, nuanced bitter with a nice fruity profile and finishes with a lingering bitterness.

Queen Anne Light

Blonde Ale

* * 1/2

Fairly uninteresting blond ale.

Gold Crown

English Style Lager

* * 1/2

I'm not too sure what an English Style Lager is, actually. This beer is pale, and innocuous enough.

Star of India

UK IPA

* * 1/2

1.045. Obviously, as an IPA this beer didn't cut it -- not bitter enough nor strong enough. This beer would have benefitted from cask conditioning; the subtle flavors would have come out a bit better. This beer does match up well with contemporary IPA presently brewed in England (e.g. Fullers, Greene King, etc.) but still does not come close to what the style should be. Call it a Pale Ale and be done with it.