One of the few Colorado breweries with widespread distribution in Ohio is Coors. Fortunately, one of the others is Left Hand Brewing Co., based in Longmont, CO. We at Aleheads are particularly fond of Left Hand’s Milk Stout, which Doc somewhat arbitrarily ranked as the #6 stout in America. Other Left Hand brews, not so much; their 400 LB Monkey has been described as “a primordial version of an American IPA.”
I’ve tried to give Sawtooth Ale the benefit of the doubt by assuming that its mediocrity is more indicative of its style (which is not one I particularly like) than its own lack of personality. But you can’t in good faith give a high rating to a beer that you’re just not that into. Thus to Sawtooth.
NOTES: Bottle @ Director of Bands’ Front Porch
STYLE: American ESB
ABV: 4.48%
APPEARANCE: Amber and hazy
HEAD: Small and thin, but it stuck around. I think the brewery’s PR firm put styrofoam into the head to take the official Sawtooth picture (above).
LACING: Little
NOSE: Light malt with hints of rusty Chevy. No hop aroma to speak of.
TASTE: Mild, slightly bready maltiness with hint of caramel. A touch of hoppy bitterness at the end, but not much aftertaste.
MOUTHFEEL: Medium bodied but feels firm in the mouth. Medium carbonation.
DRINKABILITY: Left Hand seems to excel at drinkability, even if many of their brews are not terribly memorable. The Sawtooth is an outstanding session beer. It’s not too malty and definitely not too hoppy. At 4.48% I would have finished Director of Bands’ entire stash had he not insisted that we leave a few for his wife, who dislikes beers that taste like anything. I think you get the gist.
RATING: 2.5 Hops
ALEHEADS 
Couldn’t agree more, Commander. After having experienced the Milk Stout, I was looking forward to my Sawtooth experience. It’s disappointing. Totally drinkable, but just blah. It provides nothing memorable to set it apart from other brown ales. 2.5 hops is giving it the benefit of the doubt. You were always a benevolent Commander, after all…