Northern Logger

Here’s the scene. A beautifully, sunny Saturday afternoon in June. The grill is lit and a pork chop is sizzling merrily. Our protagonist craves refreshment. But what? An IPA? Far too early in the day. A stout? Not with this weather. A saison? Not in the mood. No, this day called for a golden ale. Enter Northern Logger, a sunny ale (real missed opportunity on the “lager” puns there, guys) from the folks at Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. in Thunder Bay, Ontario. At 4.9% and 17 IBUs, this little brew has the mild stats to greet lunchtime without too much enthusiasm. It’s a pale golden brew with lots of fizz and a fluffy mop of white head.

Northern Logger (seriously, I bought this thinking it was a lager—I even got out a pilsner glass!) has a pleasantly dry hops aroma supplemented with a helping of grainy scents. Crisp and refreshing, the beer has some macro ale attributes, but delivers a decidedly “craft” flavour. Though mild, the deft use of (I’d say German-style) hops gives the beer a bit of moxie that its macro rivals can only pretend at.

That’s not to say that Northern Logger is an incredible beer, or even an interesting one. No, it’s bright and crisp, and just the thing for an early afternoon grill session, or a post-lawn mowing refresher. It’s not really much more than that, but it is definitely enjoyable.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.