Nice Chai, Guys

By Hot Knives from April 13, 2007

chai%20beer.jpg

SLO Chai Cream Ale

Our last run-in with a botanical infused beer wasn’t pretty, so it was with great skepticism and courage that we plucked this San Louis Obispo Chai Cream Ale off the shelf. One of us was on vacation up the Central Coast and it just seemed wrong not to sample the local goods. This brew comes from something called, quite directly, Central Coast Brewing. With the exception of the exceedingly mediocre brews made by Firestone, California’s Central Valley lacks standouts from anywhere south of Mendocino. So we crossed our fingers and took a sip. Truth be told, the stuff wasn’t half bad — maybe more like 10% bad. The chai absolutely rules; the spicy head on this beer is what all pumpkin-tinged gimmicky fall beers try to be. The mix of cinnamon, mace and chai are followed by a slight acrid bite, tangy pear or apple. It’s the taste of an incredible spiced cider. Unfortunately, it’s not a cider, it’s masquerading as a cream ale, but the watery mouthfeel and light viscosity are off-putting when you expect something frothier, richer. The bubbles taste like a soy latte where they should taste like a buttery capuchino. Still, it beats the pumpkin shit any day.

Dairy Pairy: Cowgirl Creamery's Red Hawk
Soundtrack: Cornershop’s Hand Cream for a Generation

<< | Posted on April 13, 2007 at 8:09 PM | >>

Comments (5):

This is an amazing beer for summer! I'm not much of a beer drinker, and actively dislike flavored beers. SLO Chai totally rules.

Posted by Jeff Hayes @ June 21, 2007 5:16 PM

We're not going to erase this comment, but let it be known that we have little patience for people associated with a beer product posting comments without at least giving full disclosure about their relationship top a product.

Come on Jeff, we're not idiots! You left your hyperlink right there for us to pin. And we recently got called beer shills, a charge that kinda still stings.

This beer's even more mediocre thanks to your PR BS'ing.

Posted by EVAN @ June 21, 2007 5:26 PM

a double rebuttal:

weak sauce slo bro.

funny to sneak in a comment about such a relatively ancient post. dont you know we're always glued ot our lcds?

we are always watching.

Posted by Alex @ June 21, 2007 5:39 PM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the review. I own SLO Chai and thank Jeff for the previous post.

The CCA is as popular here as it is new. We are expanding with a line of other supreme beers; when you are in town, stop by.

Cheers,

Joel

Posted by Joel Pace @ August 28, 2007 10:18 PM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the review. I own SLO Chai and thank Jeff for the previous post.

The CCA is as popular here as it is new. We are expanding with a line of other supreme beers; when you are in town, stop by.

Cheers,

Joel

Posted by Joel Pace @ August 28, 2007 10:18 PM

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