Introduction

Josh and Femke Lubach use their farm to take the quality of their brewing ingredients to the top notch. When you control where every aspect of your brewing comes from, you get the opportunity to make some truly special craft beers. And the area they work in is steeped in a history of self-made people. Before Ponoka was even a real town, it was nothing but a brief stop for the railway - Siding 14 along the Calgary-Edmonton track. The crew of the brewery chose that name to keep their heritage in mind - that they exist in the town because hard working people wrought it from the ground, and made it more than a spot for the trains to pick up water and coal. Siding 14 has a sweet taproom where they serve up their six mainline beers along with some hard ciders. The Brakeman Brown Ale is an American-style brown ale with chocolate and caramel notes, and crafty hop flavour. Serves well at 10°C and can cellar for up to a year.

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How it looks

Pours a dark orange colour with a clear body and light carbonation. A thick head of puffy foam pours from the can and leaves behind some lacing as it sinks away.

How it smells

Warm, toasted biscuit malt and caramel aromas, a hint of milk chocolate, steamed milk, black liquorice, and wet, earthy loam. There’s a hint of floral hops that hides around the edges.

How it tastes

Slightly sweet and warm biscuit and caramel malt, a touch of dusty baker’s chocolate, roasted nuts, and medium roast coffee grounds. The floral hops really kick into gear as it warms on the palate and opens up to a perfumed, flowery flavour that invades the nostrils. Some freshly cut grass shows up and a bit of earth. The mouthfeel is full and smooth and it all drifts off at the end of a lip smacking finish.

Recommended food pairing

Pair this beer up with BBQ chicken, roast potatoes, and green beans for a proper prairie dinner.