BY MATT STEVENS for WEEKLY VOLCANO 4/10/26 |
As you are most likely aware, baseball season has started, which means it’s the best time of the year. Your beer lover is a big aficionado of baseball, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try out Big Dumper Lager from Scuttlebutt Brewing in Everett, WA. Scuttlebutt is a longtime favorite on the craft beer scene, making a wide variety of great beers. Their pub on the water up in Everett is also fantastic, with great food and numerous beers not available in stores down in Tacoma. Big Dumper, of course, is the nickname of Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. Raleigh hit 60 home runs in 2025 and has capitalized mightily on his skills to make numerous commercials and other product endorsements. It appears he became familiar with Scuttlebutt while he was in the minor leagues playing for the Everett AquaSox.
Aroma-wise, the beer pours a beautiful golden yellow, slightly cloudy but not overly turbid. A light frothy white head on top means this beer is very well made. It’s beautiful in a standard shaker pint glass, which is hard to do for many craft beers.
Moving on to the nose of the beer, this beer reminds me that lagers are not my style. I’m always looking for the fruity or dank hops, or the roast chocolatiness of a stout. But this lager is crisp, clean, and malty. This beer doesn’t have any of those coming through on the nose. There is a hint of grainy sweetness present, but it is very subdued. The beer is spot on the Beer Judge Certification Program guidelines.
Taste-wise, this beer nails the flavor profile. It’s a neutral, crisp beer that finishes very dry. There is some grain flavoring, but it’s extremely well balanced with the slightly higher carbonation. A solid, crisp, drinkable lager.
Through the mouthfeel, this beer really hits its stride. An American lager is a classic beer to drink after mowing or while enjoying the Great American Pastime. This beer absolutely fills that need. It’s so crisp I find myself taking a sip, swallowing that sip, and moving in for another and then a third sip before I even set the glass back down. Clean, crisp, enjoyable.
Overall, Scuttlebutt really hit this one out of the park. A solid beer, right in style and easy to drink. You can find this beer in cans at Metropolitan Market or at your local beer store. I suggest you wait for one of those beautiful June days, put the Mariners on the radio, crack a can, and enjoy yourself in the hammock.
