Deadfall Brewing – Basal Brown Ale

Deadfall Brewing – Basal Brown Ale Review

In May  2022, Erin and Brandon Baerwald, avid homebrewers, and another couple (Jane Fowler/Will Emery) opened a brewery in an out-of-the-way industrial park in the city of  Prince George. The first beer brewed was one of their four cores, the Basal Brown ale. Little did they know that almost 18 months later, this beer would not only win GOLD at the Canada Beer Cup for Best in its Class but was also the CHAMPION, Best in Show! With over 1000 beers in the running and over 40 judges, that is quite impressive!

The Basal Brown is Brandon’s take on the American Brown Ale, an ale style that should be malt-forward, yet hoppy, balanced, and drinkable.

Into a shaker glass, this beer poured a clear, rich dark brown with a cream/tan-colored head of foam. The aroma, to be expected is of a rich toffee/caramel and chocolate. But, it’s not sweet. While the hop aroma is very low, the piney, earthy flavours on that first sip come into play, creating a very balanced, slight bitterness, and approachable but hoppy ale. The combination of the chosen hops and malts work well together. The mouthfeel and final finish were dry, with a lingering caramel and light bitterness with a clean crisp bite. And, for those folks who know me well and know that I can never get enough hops in my beer, there were enough hops in this one to satisfy me.

While Deadfall beers are not easily available outside of Prince George, (check HERE for other locations), judging from this beer, they are beers worth seeking out. And, until they have a bigger distribution,  a trip to Prince George might just need to be added to your future.

Thanks again to their sales & marketing guy Ivan for the opportunity to be able to try this award-winning beer :-)