One of the newer additions to the Valkyrie Brewing line-up is Rune Amok, an ESB or Extra Special Bitter. The label shows a quartet of Viking ships sailing off as a Lindisfarne-like church/monastery burns in the distance. The painting by co-proprietor Ann Lee hangs on the wall at the brewery's tap room. I believe Rune Amok was introduced last year but cannot recall if it was available on my previous stop at Valkyrie or not. If it was, I did not sample it. That waited until this autumn.
Just as a doppelbock is an extra potent bock and a stout is a heartier porter, an ESB is a bigger bitter. At least I think that's how it works. The intricacies of English beer styles continue to elude me and I think only a trip to Old Blighty will do to educate me sufficiently on this matter. My shorthand is that milds are dark in color and light on the hops while bitters have a lighter hue and more hoppiness as well. Both go easy on the fizz.
As I noted in my review of Valkyrie's dry stout, Velvet Green, my trip there earlier this autumn was made knowing the brewery was for sale. I made a mix six-pack to go and it was bittersweet walking out the door. Recent news that Valkyrie closes in January makes my memories even bittersweeter.
I'd been thinking that I'd write some words about the brewery in general now that its demise is immanent but I realized that I probably have one more brew review to go for them. Perhaps in that post I'll wax rhapsodic.
Rune Amok came in a chestnut hue and was topped off by a small, just off-white head that didn't last. It was hazy and I was unable to see inside the glass, not that I expected to see a whole lot of bubbles anyway. It smelled of leather along with a hint of caramel as well as a touch of vague, indeterminate fruitiness that was a bit date or fig-like.
As expected, the beer went easy on the fizziness and had a lovely, smooth medium-light body. Leather and tobacco are commonly used to describe such English beers and that's because they're apt. Here the pair were at the fore with a touch of caramel in back. A little herbal hoppiness joined in and that fruitiness from the aroma was present here, but faintly. The leather and fruity tastes lingered a bit on the swallow before a light dose of herbal hops threw some dryness into the mix.
While I cannot say just how true to style Rune Amok is or how it would fare in a genuine English pub next to a Fuller's, I can say that I really loved this beer. The caramel taste was moderate and didn't make the beer sweet in any way. That leather flavor ruled the roost. I found the hops to be on the easy side and would have been happy with more. Not a lot, but some. Regardless, I simply found Rune Amok to be tasty. It went down easy and I just adore the flavors of the malt(s). German and American style just don't produce them.
Just food pairing: The ESB may be an English style of beer but Rune Amok pairs well with the flavor concocted by the crown's subjects over in Canada - all dressed. So get a bag of all dressed potato chips and let loose.
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