Beer O'Clock: Ginger Snap Cookie Golden Ale

A bag of gingersnap cookies has never been safe around me.

Photo source: Google

As a kid, we didn't keep them in the house that often because I would easily devour the bag within a couple of days. I remember setting up an obstacle course around the main floor of our house, where I'd have to jump over broom sticks or crawl under chairs, and bounce my way down the length of our sofa.

The obstacle course would take me through the kitchen, where I'd have a stack of cookies awaiting me. As I passed through the kitchen, I'd grab a cookie, pop it in my mouth (gingersnaps are fairly small, even for a kid), and start another lap around the house.

When I moved out on my own, gingersnap cookies were always on my grocery list. I'd keep the bag next to the chair in the TV room, and I'd snack on the cookies while watching my favourite programs.

I'm older, now, and these addictive cookies go to my belly faster than a pint of beer, so I've sort of given them up, though I do miss them from time to time.

Luckily, the good folks at Spearhead have teamed up with the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies to create an ale that brings back fond memories of gingersnap cookies.

For those of you who don't know, the ladies who drink beer in this organization bring women who work in the beer industry together with like-minded women who love a pint or two. The Society was founded in 2013 by Erica Campbell, who worked full-time at Black Oak Brewery, in Etobicoke, Ontario (GTA), and noticed that she was in a male-dominated industry.

Erica set out to bring more awareness to women beer lovers that they were not alone. Today, the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies is North America's largest women's beer community.

The group has also started working with breweries in collaboration to introduce new brews to beer lovers, and one of their latest collabs, with Spearhead Brewing, is the focus of today's review.

Ginger Snap Cookie Golden Ale (4.7% ABV; 14 IBUs)
Spearhead Brewing Company
Kingston, ON

Appearance: a clear, copper-red ale with plenty of effervescence and a foamy, beige head that settles to a fine lace.

Nose: breathing in, I could have sworn that I just opened a bag of gingersnaps. Loads of candied ginger and biscuit hit the nose. The aromas definitely match the name of this brew.

Palate: more ginger and a hint of clove. I was also reminded of pumpkin spice. In subsequent tastes, I could easily imagine that I was drinking a pumpkin ale, though the ginger would just as easily bring me back to my favourite cookie. The finish reinforces the biscuit, and lingers.

Overall impression: Ginger Snap Cookie Golden Ale definitely lives up to its label. This is liquid gingersnap. It's also a perfect autumn brew because it has a kiss of pumpkin spice, which is super-popular at this time of year.

You don't need to be a member of the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies to enjoy this ale. And, like gingersnap cookies, it's not safe around me. (Though, I won't be creating an obstacle course around my house in order to treat myself to a pint.)

Beer O'Clock rating: 🍺🍺+

You can find Ginger Snap Cookie Golden Ale at select LCBO stores. As always, you can order it directly from Spearhead and have it shipped to your door for a modest fee.

Cheers!