The potential simplicity of this beer is such a pull for me that it’s hard to put into words. One has to understand that the style is as rare as Hen’s Teeth in these parts, so if I’m honest, brewers can get (and have gotten) away with quite a lot in the past. That makes me a. little nervous, but Machine House and Bill Arnott have the pedigree for me not to worry too much.

I deliberately pour the can in an aggressive manner. That’s my default with canned beer because carbonation so often feels stifled by this presentation. That produces a great looking pint even if the head seems a little wispy and relatively small. Chestnut brown body and a creamy, light mocha colored head.

One feature of the beer is the lace that it produces. Lovely pattern of gulps is re-produced on the glass.

Nose is all deep, bready malts. Nothing else. Perfect.

This feels authentic. That is simply the highest praise that I can possibly give the beer. A very, very subtle light roast is present with some diluted nut notes. The bready malts from the nose get repeated in the tastes, and the mouthfeel is light. All the features complement one another.

There’s no room for error with such a beer and Machine House doesn’t make any. Mistakes that make a difference in a beer like this are not limited to just missing the attributes of the style, but also include doing too much. This beer doesn’t, rather it does exactly what it is supposed to do. I can’t ask for more than that.

Hook me up to a cask, and this might be the perfect beer.