Wooden Cask Brewing Company - Pacific Time

Wooden Cask's Pacific Time IPA presents a gorgeous crystal clear copper-amber color in the glass, topped by a fluffy cap of off-white foam. On the nose, look for a Pacific NW hop profile offering candied citrus with a resinous edge plus herbal and floral touches, atop an undercurrent of caramelized malt. On the palate, a solid central malt backbone offers a nice dose of caramel alongside mild toastiness. The hop aromas are well-realized in the flavor, as well, as that citrus note expands across the palate joined by a woodsy herbal tone, floral hints, some earthy spice, and an overall pungency that melds with moderate bitterness to provide plenty of balance to the dash of residual malt sweetness in the beer's core. Smooth, medium-bodied, and satisfyingly dry in the lingering finish, Pacific Time makes a good companion to well-spiced dishes with citrus elements and Eastern herbs and spice. Try Laotian pork or duck larb, or a citrus-marinated pork tenderloin finished with a Thai peanut and citrus sauce. Cheers!

Founded by Randy Schlitz and his wife, Karen, Wooden Cask opened for business in November, 2016 in Newport, KY, just a few blocks south of the Ohio River which bisects the greater Cincinnati area. Co-founder of Cincinnati's Rivertown Brewing Company, Randy sold his stake in Rivertown to his business partner so the two could pursue their own interests in the brewing industry: Rivertown could focus on growing their business with sours and more experimental and extreme beers, while Randy would be free to establish a new brewery to focus on traditional styles and creating an attached British-style pub. Since Cincinnati already was home to many existing craft breweries, Randy and Karen decided to locate their new brewery on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, eventually finding the perfect spot on historic York Street in Newport, KY. The building has a rich history itself. In the 1940s-50s, the location was home to illegal gambling at the Flamingo Club, and by the 1980s it had become a destination for punk rock shows under the guise of the Jockey Club. It then housed a bowling alley and finally a Yellow Cab location before the Schlitzs turned it into their brewery and taproom.

Wooden Cask's focus is on traditional English, Scottish, and Irish beer styles, though they are not limiting themselves, as evidenced by their hefeweizen, gose, and even beers like bourbon barrel aged helles bock. Their goal is not to grow into a big regional brewery with wide distribution but, rather, to focus on their taproom and traditional brewing methods, taking the time to perfect authentic styles. Their taproom, whose bar top is constructed using wood from the old bowling alley lanes, features 18 draft beers plus small-batch and seasonal offerings, and, in 2019, Drunken Hog BBQ opened a location inside to serve tasty smoked pork. We've been impressed with the beers we've had a chance to sample from these fine folks, and are excited to bring you a taste this month. For more info, call 859-261-2172 or visit woodencask.com.