Beer Cheer 28: Gordash's "Holy Mackerel"
Tonight I have a true gem to recommend - an astonishing small batch brew fresh out of Florida.
Gordash Beer Company's "Holy Mackerel" boasts a whimsical, if not a touch homely, label design featuring a shaggy-haired yellow fish looking ready to gulp down some beer. The cheeky label cloaks what is one of my all time favorite beers. This was one of the first serious beers I tried. (After I became accustomed to the whole "Bud Light" genre. Don't get me wrong, Bud Light is great for chugging.)
Holy Mackerel pours a light golden-orange color with a vigorous and turbulent buttermilk tinged head, frothy and rich. The ale sports a subtle scent - a bit buttery with perhaps the faintest note of citrus. An initially mild flavor is quickly kicked aside by a more pronounced taste of hops, ripe oranges, sundry nuts (pecans or maybe walnuts, to me), and eventually coffee, dark chocolate, and caramel. The quick flavor punch fades nicely with a delicious chocolate-milk sensation before that, too, fades into a warm and mildly acidic taste. The ale is delivered unfiltered from one of two small breweries, one in Greenville, South Carolina, and the other near my old Central Florida romping grounds - Melbourne, Florida.
Fitting for its parent company's base out of Fort Lauderdale, Holy Mackerel is a sophisticated ale that is nonetheless relaxed and just fun. The flavor combination is delightful and always unique, and for its heavier alcohol content (8.5%) the beer is surprisingly light. This is a world class brew and easily one of my top 10 favorites. If you come across this great drink outside of the Sunshine State, be sure to pick it up; it's usually offered in a 4-pack. If you enjoy quality beers, I think you'll find this one a keeper. Of note, should you decide to hide away a few of Holy Mackerels, they apparently take on a better flavor with age. Whether that's reality or just advertising, I have no clue. This beer doesn't usually linger longer than a week when I have it on hand.
Gordash Beer Company's "Holy Mackerel" boasts a whimsical, if not a touch homely, label design featuring a shaggy-haired yellow fish looking ready to gulp down some beer. The cheeky label cloaks what is one of my all time favorite beers. This was one of the first serious beers I tried. (After I became accustomed to the whole "Bud Light" genre. Don't get me wrong, Bud Light is great for chugging.)
Holy Mackerel pours a light golden-orange color with a vigorous and turbulent buttermilk tinged head, frothy and rich. The ale sports a subtle scent - a bit buttery with perhaps the faintest note of citrus. An initially mild flavor is quickly kicked aside by a more pronounced taste of hops, ripe oranges, sundry nuts (pecans or maybe walnuts, to me), and eventually coffee, dark chocolate, and caramel. The quick flavor punch fades nicely with a delicious chocolate-milk sensation before that, too, fades into a warm and mildly acidic taste. The ale is delivered unfiltered from one of two small breweries, one in Greenville, South Carolina, and the other near my old Central Florida romping grounds - Melbourne, Florida.
Fitting for its parent company's base out of Fort Lauderdale, Holy Mackerel is a sophisticated ale that is nonetheless relaxed and just fun. The flavor combination is delightful and always unique, and for its heavier alcohol content (8.5%) the beer is surprisingly light. This is a world class brew and easily one of my top 10 favorites. If you come across this great drink outside of the Sunshine State, be sure to pick it up; it's usually offered in a 4-pack. If you enjoy quality beers, I think you'll find this one a keeper. Of note, should you decide to hide away a few of Holy Mackerels, they apparently take on a better flavor with age. Whether that's reality or just advertising, I have no clue. This beer doesn't usually linger longer than a week when I have it on hand.