Churro Ale

Churro Ale by Garage Brewing Co. is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 30A – Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer.

Huge cinnamon and vanilla sweet spices greet my nose shortly after the beer is placed in front of me. The beer pours a lightly hazy burnt orange with a small, tight-bubbled white head, short retention leaving only a thin, bubbly film atop. This beer is medium-grainy, has a neutral malt flavor with sweet cinnamon and vanilla and a medium-sweet finish.

The spices dominate the aroma, even as I revisit the beer over several minutes, though a sugar cookie malt becomes noticeable later on. Flavor-wise, that same sugar cookie character becomes evident as it warms. The flavor is spice-dominant with only supporting malt. Light body and medium-high carbonation. No warmth, creaminess or astringency in the mouthfeel.

Overall, a spice-dominated beer that could stand on its own as a dessert, though spiced apples and vanilla ice cream with a cookie crumble would pair very well here.