REVIEW: Hell’s Basement Brewery Beer – Medicine Hat, Alberta
Let’s follow The Beer Maven off to Medicine Hat! Continue reading to learn about this locally owned and operated craft brewery and some of The Beer Maven’s favourite Hell’s Basement beers.
By The Beer Maven Sondra Baker on Jan. 18, 2017
Why is it called Hell’s Basement Brewery?
Hell’s Basement offers a taproom and spacious patio in the seasonal months. Its name was inspired by the stories of Rudyard Kipling’s travels across Canada and his famous quote:
“This part of the country seems to have all hell for a basement, and the only trap door appears to be in Medicine Hat. And you don’t even think of changing the name of your town. It’s all your own and the only hat of its kind on earth.”
– Rudyard Kipling 1907
Hell’s Basement Brewery Beer Reviews:
The Beer Maven is known to prefer IPAs and Stouts and these two Hell’s Basement beers quickly found their way into her little black beer book after the first sips. Cheers to Hell’s Basement Brewing and to Alberta brewers working their butts off to make us beer drinkers some great damn beer.
All Hops For A Basement IPA – Hell’s Basement Brewery
Pouring a beautiful bright amber with an off white head. This is one hell of an IPA. Insanely hopped with a lingering bitter aftertaste from the generous amount of cascade and centennial hops. The dry hopping with citrus hops is apparent on the nose and the first sip. I appreciate the earthy pine notes. The carbonation is mild and the mouthfeel is full.
Ghost Train Oatmeal Stout – Hell’s Basement Brewery
The ghost train is an old Alberta folklore. A passenger train blindly pushing in the dark of night, coming straight for the engineers train on the same tracks veering right at the last moment with ghost passengers starring into their souls.
This beer has rich roasted malts and oatmeal that weigh heavy on your tongue. Dark chocolate and coffee malts rail their way through your palate and this dark Stout tracks a smooth line straight to my heart.
This is the non-leaded version of the Ghost Train Coffee Stout and allows Alberta malts to be your main focus.
Smart because they are the best in the world.
Next time you find yourself in Medicine Hat, head over to Hell’s Basement Brewery and try out these and other beers for yourself. I know they would love to have you, Cheers!
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