Mendocino Brewing Co. Eye of the Hawk Strong Ale

One of my regular “must have” brews on Northern California coastal trips, Mendocino Brewing Company always compliments lazy coastal evenings with their Legend Collection (particularly Red Tail Ale) and one of my favorites of their line for kicking it up a notch, Mendocino Brewing Co. Eye of the Hawk Strong Ale.

Mendocino Brewing Co. Eye of the Hawk Strong Ale poured into the glass a clear, golden color with a single carb trail and a bright, sticky white head. Notes of herby hops and a dry, cracker like malt were the prominent features of the nose.

Mendocino Brewing Co. Eye of the Hawk Strong Ale hit my palette bright and aggressive, with a medium-strength herb and spice hop front that faded into a very mellow, dry malt core and a longer dry fade.

Eye of the Hawk is a solid entry that doesn’t commit to a single ale style, straddling the line somewhere between a strong amber, a dopplebock, and even hints of their own Red Tail.  The most startling thing about this ale is the ease of drinking… it drinks like a really light lager and only has moments of hoppiness, and one would probably never guess this ale breaks 8% ABV.