All hell for a basement
Hells Basement has recently opened its doors in Medicine Hat Alberta. They offer a taproom and spacious patio in the seasonal months. The name was inspired by the stories of Rudyard Kipling’s travels across Canada and his famous quote “This part of the country seems to have all hell for a basement, and the only trap door appears to be in Medicine Hat. And you don’t even think of changing the name of your town. It’s all your own and the only hat of its kind on earth.” – Rudyard Kipling 1907
I have tried 5 of their recent craft beers and the following are my two favorites. I am known to prefer IPA's and Stouts and these two quickly found their way into my little black beer book after the first sips. Cheers to Hells Basement Brewing and to Alberta brewers working their asses off to make us beer drinkers some great god damn beer.
All Hops for a Basement 6.6%
Pouring a beautiful bright amber with an off white head. This is one hell of an IPA. Insanely hopped with a lingering bitter aftertaste from the generous amount of cascade and centennial hops. The dry hopping with citrus hops is apparent on the nose and the first sip. I appreciate the earthy pine notes. The carbonation is mild and the mouthfeel is full.
I think I'll have another dear sir.
Ghost train Oatmeal Stout. 5.7%
The ghost train is an old Alberta folklore. A passenger train blindly pushing in the dark of night, coming straight for the engineers train on the same tracks veering right at the last moment with ghost passengers starring into their souls. Rich roasted malts and Oatmeal weight heavy on your tongue. Dark chocolate and coffee malts rail their way through your palate and this dark Stout tracks a smooth line straight to my heart.
This is the non leaded version of the Ghost Train Coffee Stout and allows Alberta malts to be your main focus. Smart because they are the best in the world.
