Hairyman Cory’s Claim

Hairyman Cory’s Claim is an intriguing dark ale that surprises and delights with its complexity.

Hairyman Cory’s Claim presents layer after layer of flavours. Many of these are what you’d expect to find in a dark ale like this but somehow they each come as a delightful surprise.

Immensely Satisfying

Up front it’s a little bit smokey. It’s very, very subtle but there’s just a touch of smouldering wood. After that comes espresso roasted coffee beans, then there’s an intense nuttiness, like hazelnuts and Brazil nuts.

It finishes slightly peppery and with an organic woodiness. These dark and earthy flavours are immensely satisfying. They’re familiar and comforting.

Once you’ve noticed all these waves of flavour they start to intermingle and intertwine in delicious ways. The medium body keeps it all together, carrying the flavours across the palate with just enough weight as to make you sit up and notice them. But it’s not too much that it dominates the palate with oiliness or harsh alcohol.

Surprisingly Sessionable

In fact, Cory’s Claim measures in at a surprisingly low 4.7% ABV. The malt flavours and the body are so bold that you’d think it would be closer to the 6% mark. It’s a dark ale by name but seems pretty close to a porter or stout. It’s robust in flavour but light in alcohol.

That said, for those that have tried German dark beers it might resonate. There’s a certain mellowness to the palate and the flavour profile that is at both complex and restrained at once.

It uses German malts in combination with some Australian malts. In terms of hops it contains Dr. Rudi and Pacific Jade but it’s definitely the malt that takes centre stage in this beer.

Hairyman Cory’s Claim is an elegant and well executed dark ale that delivers flavour and satisfaction in spades.

Have you tried Hairyman’s Cory’s Claim dark ale? Leave a comment and share what you thought.