Blast From the Past: Beer Me! — Brooklyn Pennant Ale

Editor’s note: This “Beer Me” column, which was written by our good friend Max Kellogg, first appeared in Dirt Rag Issue #107 in May 2004.

Perhaps the best perk about moonlighting in a hot dog/beer bar, besides all the bacon you can eat, is sooner or later you’ll have to sample some of the amber nectar. With all of this sampling (purely for knowledge of the product and not for enjoyment, I assure you) every now and then I’m taken off guard. Case in point, Brooklyn Pennant Ale.

Brooklyn Brewery is a bigger fish in a smaller pond, but with their Pennant Ale, they set out to take on the heavyweights of the English Ale Kingdom. Brooklyn uses the same ingredients as some of its imported competitors, primarily English Fuggles, American Willamettes and Cascades for the hop selection; and backed by Maris Otter Malt, this ale truly delivers. The result is a complex flavor—combining a subtle hint of fruit, smooth maltiness, and a nice dry, hoppy finish. This dark amber ale completely works as the session beer. Not too heavy, and not too light. It’s balanced, right down the middle.

So, if you are ever at the local, or any, beer distributor and are looking for a cheaper beer that can go toe to toe with its English competitors, ask for Brooklyn Pennant Ale. Take the taste test, because you won’t be disappointed. Solid.

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We’ve published a lot of stuff in 25 years of Dirt Rag. Find all our Blast From the Past stories here.