When Kate Henning and Simon Dunstone started Smiling Samoyed brewery, they had three Samoyed dogs. Hence one of their first beers was called 12 Paws, with their pale still retaining that name today. Hoppy the dog still greets guests on arrival at the brewery with a welcoming smile. However, one of their dogs, Cooper, named after the iconic SA brewery, is no longer with them and, in his honour, they brewed this copper ale.
Coops pours a bright copper colour with a lingering, white, foamy head. The aromas are dominated by a nuttiness alongside toffee malts, a touch of fruity esters and an underlying earthiness. To taste, it's all about the malts: toffee, caramel and that nuttiness. Earthy hop flavours are present too, helping rounded out the beer with a somewhat dry finish.
Matt King
Published July 19, 2018 2018-07-19 00:00:00