Sand Creek Brewing Company - English Style Special Ale

English Style Special Ale is a full-bodied, hearty ale whose complex flavors further emerge as it warms. One reviewer on our panel shared the following story about this beer: "When we first featured this beer back in 2004 I was a 'hophead' through and through. I could appreciate malt-centered beers, but only academically; none ever fully resonated with me. I was like the beer panel's hop profile specialist, and that was because I only really indulged in hop-heavy brews. That all changed when I tasted this beer. It was the first 'malt bomb' I had ever fully enjoyed—and it opened my world to what malty beers could offer. Since then, I've enjoyed living 'as the other half does' and now enjoy pretty much all types of beers, from hoppy double cream ales to doppelbocks. This was "the beer" that opened my eyes to the power of malty brew. I'll always have a special place in my fridge, and my proverbial heart, reserved for it."

Them's some pretty inspiring words, touching on an experience all of us "converts" can relate to. "The beer that did it" is a common memory among most if not all better beer drinkers. Do you remember yours? Hey, maybe this is it!

Expect a very malty aroma and flavor, with just traces of spicy hops in the background. Look for malty, nutty, chocolatey, roasty notes accompanied by dark, fruity notes like prunes and raisins, but not quite. This beer goes down with a rich fullness leaving behind big malty notes, tons of caramel, mellow pepperiness, a touch of citrus sweetness, and some maple syrup. Above all, this is a highly drinkable, brilliantly balanced, malt-accented beer. We love it paired against spicy Mexican Mole (make sure it's a spiced version—the bite works nicely with the roasty, lightly peppery hoppiness found in this beer), but it works equally well with a burger topped with pickles and super sharp cheddar.

Brewmaster Cory Schroeder began homebrewing in his spare time in the late 1980s and soon realized his knack for crafting good beers. In the late 1990s, he teamed up with business partner Jim Wiesender, and the two set out to build a brewery on the Schroeder family dairy farm. A large shed served as the brewery location, with various scrounged-up materials serving as the brewing vessels, including a refrigerator semi-trailer which became the beer cooler, and pudding tanks as the mash and brew kettles. The Sand Creek Brewing Company opened for business in 1999, marketing their ales in local taverns and restaurants and via promotion at beer festivals throughout Wisconsin, all the while working to expand and upgrade their brewing facilities. In early 2004 they acquired the historic Pioneer Brewing Company in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and relocated to that facility. The move expanded their beer line up to over 29 different products on a proprietary and contract level. Pioneer Brewmaster Todd Krueger has remained as Head Brewmaster and is now a partner in the new brewery operation. He is a three-time World Beer Championship gold medalist—quite an asset to the brewery. For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (715) 284-7553 or check out their web site at www.sandcreekbrewing.com.