Flying Dog Supertramp

I admit it, I didn't want to like this beer. Last week when I opened the package from Flying Dog Brewery and saw the bottle of Supertramp Tart Cherry Ale, I thought, "Oh, a fruit beer." But, I was intrigued nonetheless, as I do enjoy the occasional sour ale. So despite my consternation, I was looking forward to trying it, for research purposes only of course.

As I poured the ale, others in the room exclaimed, "Oh, it's pink!" It wasn't really pink, but there was indeed a pink hue to the orange-amber color. The aroma has faint fruit notes and a hint of breadiness. The initial flavor that hits the tongue is the mild fruit sweetness that morphs quickly over to tart. The cherry tart and bitterness fade quickly to a clean finish. Moderate carbonation tingles the tongue and cleanses the palate, leaving very little behind in the aftertaste.

Despite my skepticism, in the end I had to admit I liked the Supertramp Tart Cherry Ale. Even though we tasted the beer on a cool, almost Spring evening, I actually think this would be a very refreshing summertime drink. The low 4.6% ABV, the tingling carbonation, the mildly tart flavor and clean finish seems a good combination with which to cool down after an afternoon of sweating in the garden, or after returning home from the range.

The beer reviewed here was a promotional sample from the brewery. My impressions are provided of my own free will.