Rating: 4.65/5

Sabre-Toothed Squirrel by Smog City brewing is a 7.0% ABV American Amber Ale.

Label:
Known locally as Hopopio Maltocutus, our Sabre-Toothed Squirrel befriends you with a complex caramel and toasted malt character, then quickly flaunts its fangs with a solid hop profile lending notes of sweet citrus, pine resin, and a touch of peach.

This cunning cuddly companion is more Amber than IPA with lingering toffee like sweetness, but you won’t soon forget his substantial hop presence and firm bitterness in the finish.

Sabre-Toothed Squirrel is a balanced and approachable hoppy Amber that pairs well with full flavored foods and remains drinkable despite his HOPPY BITE!!
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Recently released by Smog City, this cute squirrel label had me going. I said to myself, well, I do love their beers, this is a new release, and I can’t help it it but that is a damn cute and dangerous little squirrel. So there you go, I got it. Pick this one up locally at Smog City directly in Torrance California or keep an eye out as some stores will start to carry this really soon. So let’s take a look and see how this beer is.

Aromas:
Caramel, toffee, pecan pie, citrus, piney, floral and grassy hops, toast rye bread with honey, tangerine, peanuts, hazelnut, brown sugar, pineapple hints, walnuts, dragon fruit, maple syrup hints, cherries, mango, vanilla, herbal notes, grapefruit and coconut hints.

Flavors:
Caramel, rich biscuit, rich toffee, citrus, piney and grassy hops, rye bread, coffee hints, chocolate hints, hazelnut, pecan pie, tangerine, peanuts, honey, peach notes, toasted bread, brown sugar, coconut hints, dragon fruit, vanilla, herbal notes, mango, maple syrup and cherries.

Aftertaste:
Lingering toffee, caramel, piney, citrus, grapefruit, hints of tropical fruit linger, grassy and herbal hops. No alcohol in the taste, clear to medium body, easy to moderate drinkability, light to moderate mouthfeel.

Overall:
A very good amber for sure. The balance of hoppy and sweet is there and is very enjoyable almost tot he point of easy to drink. This works out well for those that love refreshing beers but also like some malt profile and caramel to their beers. Mainly me as I love sweet beers. So yeah, definitely pick up this little guy here, you won’t regret, yes he bites but not till later so enjoy.

Anime Corner:
Makoto Nanaya from BlazBlue was used in this pairing as she is the cutest squirrel girl in anime and video games I could find. She is a powerful fighter so I believe just like the hops are the bite of the sabertooth squirrel, she will kick your ass in such fashion. She is cute as hell like the little squirrel and is probably as sweet as well once you get acquainted.

Sources:
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/girlsay/20131110B62F78C9D_zpsce75ad23.jpg
https://41.media.tumblr.com/60c110ad41de3784b55502c347ac71d0/tumblr_mlp87cRo4i1qi9bico1_500.jpg