Our first can from the great state of Alaska! Thanks goes out to Doug Hogue from Kenai River Brewing Company for providing us with the chance to try this beer! Cheers Doug! If you missed it check out the Q & A we did with Doug to learn more about this great little Alaskan craft brewery and their decision to can their beer.

From the Kenai River Brewing site:

"Pours with a light beige head on a dark amber beer. Aroma is of smooth malt along with a smoky background leading to a mouthful of deep, roasted malt flavor. Ends long and smooth with a sweet malt aftertaste."

Here we go...

Pour - dark, dark amber almost brown in appearance. This is a serious looking beer once its out of the can. Head is about a half inch of off-white foam. You can see some tiny little bubble flying upwards but that is about all you can see in the dark abyss that is this brew. 

Aroma - fresh sweet malt, caramel, Tootsie Rolls, coffee grounds and some subtle hints of smoke.

Taste - smooth from the get go, this practically flies down my throat. It's got some nice tangy sweetness and lots of malt flavor with pretty much the perfect kiss of smokiness. Personally I love a Scottish Ale that has some smoke to it, it just seems to go very well with the profile of this style of beer. Some sweetness sticks on your tongue after each sip and the finish is crisp with some of that smoke staying with you. 

Overall - Very drinkable, not too sweet, balanced and delicious. I can't say enough about the smokiness that this beer presents. It's not a lot but it provides so much to this particular beer. Love it. If you live in Alaska you should certainly pick some of this up. 

Would I buy more of it? - absolutely. However, this would require a trip to Alaska. One day I'll make it up there and visit Doug in Soldotna and drink this on tap somewhere. One day.

Note - the name "Skilak" refers to a lake on the Kenai Peninsula called "Skilak Lake". The lake is formed from the Kenai River and meltwater from the Skilak Glacier. It is home to lots of tasty fish. It's also probably a great place to enjoy a few of these beauties.