Endless Beers: Anchor Brewing’s Big Leaf Maple

Like it or not, the fall season is upon us. Football season started, nights are cool enough to open the windows, and pumpkin is taking over the world. But wait– there’s another seasonal beer available to us aside from all those pumpkins! Anchor Brewing presents the “Big Leaf Maple.”

Anchor explains: The Big Leaf Maple is a quaffable, well-balanced red ale with character.  Its malty complexity and coppery color come from a combination of two caramel malts, pale malt, and a hint of maple syrup. 

Here we go!

Poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: Dark copper color, hues of red. Good from beginning to end.

Aroma: Sweet scent with slight hints of maple and caramel. A bit of a floral scent follows (mostly from the hops combination during the boil and dry hopping).

Taste: Malty—almost a biscuit-type flavor to start. Caramel undertones (maybe a little maple syrup flavor too), followed by spices and the slight bitterness of the hops.

Mouthfeel: A dry, crisp brew at the finish—does not linger. However, the Big Leaf Maple also has a smooth start.

Overall: Definitely a warming brew, but without the strong alcohol flavor. Sat out on my porch on a cool evening for this drink and enjoyed it. The Big Leaf Maple fits the fall season and is a satisfying drink. It has good balance if you aren’t up for the sweetness of most Oktoberfests and Pumpkin brews.  I also appreciated the hops that came through the beer. Just one is enough to feel satisfied.