Hey, it’s spring! At least it is according to Redhook, which recently released “Mudslinger,” their new spring ale.
And really, this is a pretty dang solid ale from the Woodinville brewery. It takes some of the best features of Latter Day Redhook’s best ales and, sadly, also one of the worse features too.
Let’s start with the positives. Mudslinger pours nicely nut brown, and has a creamy head that laces the glass fairly well. Give it a sniff, and you can smell the nuttiness and sweet malts. The flavor is surprisingly deep. Sweet and caramel-y and very nutty. This is the type of complexity the Winterhook should have had—not mindblowing, but still very pleasant.
The one negative is what has plagued recent Redhook ales, and that’s the mouth feel which is a bit too watery. I wouldn’t go as far as to say Mudslinger feels thin, but it’s definitely on the lighter side of a medium body.
Overall, though, this is a solid entry from Redhook. I’m almost willing to forgive Winterhook. Almost.