So a lot of people are familiar with the name “Jumbo” the Elephant, but a lot of people (myself included), couldn’t have told you where the name comes from. Jumbo was one of PT Barnum’s circus elephants, and he was made famous when he died at a rail-yard in St. Thomas Ontario. The story PT Barnum propagated, was that he died saving a baby elephant, Tom Thumb, from being hit by a train. Pretty well all eye-witnesses agree Jumbo was simply killed in an accident involving a freight-train that wasn’t properly flagged on entering the yard. Railway City has this page with some facts on Jumbo. Incidentally, the word Jumbo (meaning “Big”) entered the English language because of Jumbo the elephant, who was given the name by his original London keepers. The name is a mix of the Swahili words “Jambo” (meaning “Hello”) and “Jumbe” (meaning “Chief”). Railway City Brewing, located in St. Thomas, named Dead Elephant after Jumbo, giving a big beer a big name.
Dead Elephant Ale - Railway City Brewing
First I should say, this is one of the most interesting beer labels in Ontario. Nice design, very true to the circus-themed brew. I’m impressed. And you cannot under-value the aesthetic value of a good label. From a 500ml bottle with a freshness date (made on date!) the beer is a dark honey orangey/brown colour. A bit of head dissipates pretty quickly to a thin film and a nice ring. Aroma is piney hops, with a touch of grapefruit peel, and some malts in the background. Tasty is immediately hops, again, piney and citrus, though not as dominant as the aroma would lead you to believe. There is a good does of warm roasty grains adding a dose of sweetness on the finish, which is simultaneously sweet, with a nice bitter hop. It’s actually bigger in body then I expected or remembered, but is not cloying. I could drink this beer all night (wish I had enough to do so, damn LCBO closed on holidays). I actually drank the first 5 or so of these I bought to review, it took a lot of effort to actually do this one, and I’m glad I left it to last. Great brew, Railway city, thanks.
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