Recents
Sam - Summer
This was on board the high speed ferry from Boston to Provincetown, last weekend, at the start of our 3 day bike trip down the cape. Choices aboard were limited. It's good to go back and check these beers you've written off sometimes, to see if maybe you were too harsh on them. In this case I wasn't. This beer is wierdly bitter, and not from hops, but something else. It has some bizarre, sharp, off-putting flavor in it, mixed in with a bunch of perfectly normal flavors. I can certainly drink it, but man, they should stop doing this and fix it.
Pretty Things - Baby Tree
Same one I sent Derris. I've actually only had it one other time I think, and that was a long time ago, so en route down the cape I stopped and picked one up for Evening Two. My wife's front bike rack has a beer opener on it. And this shit is GOOD. Derris nailed it, it's a good belgian strong with slight plum/fruit flavors in it. I really like where they took this, it's in that sweet spot between "familiar" and "experimental." The setting didn't hurt, of course, but this is a great little beer.
Cape Cod Brewing - IPA
Day 2, biking to the third hotel, we stopped for lunch in Barnstable at a restaurant that's been there since 1799. They had a great outdoor patio, the food wasn't bad, and they're right down the street from Cape Cod Brewing Company, apparently. So I ordered the local beer, and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't revolutionary, but in that "decent 6 pack" category it's dead center, and I guess my expectations were below that, so it tasted great. And again, the setting didn't hurt... beer tastes iincredible when you're 65 miles into an 80 mile weekend.
Cisco Brewers - Grey Lady
Hotel 3 was in Sandwich, which has a nice public beach. Grey Lady is another one I've had once or twice before, but not since last year, so I wasn't too familiar with it. I had forgotten that it's a wit, which was PERFECT for sipping on the beach. Sweet, spicey, orange peel, coriander, sunshine, happiness, opportunity, and those little dimples at the corner of your wife's mouth when she smiles just right... where was I? Another really great local beer. New England is growing on me.
Maine Brewing Co. - Lunch
Finally a new beer, back at home. I've had 2 others from these guys, who are a brand new outfit. Being members of 1% For The Planet means I'll probably give your beers a shot just because I dig your vibe, and so far these guys have been a pleasant surprise (if nothing revolutionary.) For all three models, I can say that they were slightly quirky takes on standard styles, where they do not taste exactly like anyone else's, and yet aren't out on some bizarre limb. As the labels would hint, they tend to be reserved and understated, but still interesting. This one was a nice rusty color with some sediment, a good mid-dry hop punch, great maltiness to chew on, and not too much of anything to get annoying. Check the story on the back... kinda neat. Good small company to get behind and cheer for. Go guys go. B+
Omegang - Gnomegang
Collaboration between Omegang and the CHOUFFE. This was really great, in a way. It was very, very spicey - you know that flavor that real belgian breweries seem to be able to do so well, that isn't hops or malt... this has like 50% more of it than whatever is usual. And the alcohol burn at the finish was very, very strong. Whatever you're doing while you drink this, the beer makes you stop and take notice. It demands your full attention. A great little diversion for an hour, and a good buzz. Recommended, if you can find it. A-
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