BEER - Rock Pile IPA

Over the course of last night, as the half a foot of snow from Winter Storm Chan fell down upon New England, I had a 4-pack of Rock Pile IPA from Tuckerman Brewing Company, located in Conway, NH. The beer came out of each of the 16 oz cans very foamy, producing an overly large head, which was disappointing (and wasteful). I still had high hopes, however, because the beer features my two favorite hops, Citra and Simcoe. Can't miss, right? Wrong...

The beer's flavor was so ordinary that it was more of a background experience to my evening rather than a highlight. It didn't taste bad in any way, but it was just SO unremarkable. I enjoyed the haze that the 6.5% produced, but that is it's only selling point from this particular occasion. It's yet another beer that could taste better from the tap, but I am in no rush to drive up to Conway any time soon...

Grade: C+

 

New Music - Chris Côté

Hey look, old pal Chris Cote (formerly the amazing Almanac Mountain) has released a new 2-song chunk of music! 

Check it out at the link HERE.

 

Beers of Autumn

Wow, it's been quite awhile since I have done anything here other than update the "Upcoming Shows" section (which I just did). So here are a few beer reviews from the last 30 days or so...

I tried to move away from my onslaught of IPAs once September hit, and I have had a few decent and so-so Octoberfests, and pumpkin ales & lagers. Here are a few images and quick comments on each:

 

 

🎃 - Poker Face Pumpkin Ale from OPA OPA Brewing Company. It smells great, but the head out of the can was overwhelming, and the beer itself, while decently flavored, was a bit watery.

 

 

 

Amherst Brewing Company's Pumpkin Ale is fantastic! The scent was amazing, the flavor light and seasonal (not overpowering at all), and it was quite refreshing (a word I don't use often). Very highly recommended.

 

 

Copper Legend from Jack's Abby is an Octoberfest lager, and it's really good stuff. Very light, yet flavorful. I enjoyed it so much that 1) I split the four-pack of 16 oz. cans over two nights, and 2) they have a lemony/citrusy summer lager called Porch Fest that sounds interesting, which I'll keep an eye out for next year...

 

BEER - Drayman's Porter

Drayman's Porter from Berkshire Brewing Company is a very good option if you aren't in the mood to get punched in the face by a row of traditional Guinness pints. It's less heavy, less bitter, and goes down incredibly smoothly. A nice smokiness and the pleasant finish validated my choice. It won't replace the actual Guinness experience, but it's a damned fine alternative. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

BEER - Free Rise Mosaic

Last night I had my first ever saison style beer, a Free Rise Mosaic from the eastern Massachusetts Trillium Brewing Company. I'm glad my brother in law had it in his fridge.

It's a bit more carbonated than my prefered IPAs, and definitely less hoppy, but it was very good. The piney scent from the Mosaic hops is always welcome, and even though the beer is a hefty 7.3% ABV, it didn't throw me for a loop. I liked how dry it was, and also the fruity undertones. We were eating steak at my sister's house, and it paired very well.

Trillium has locations in Canton and Fort Point, plus a couple of seasonal pop-up beer gardens in Boston, on the Greenway and also on Park Drive. I might have to pay them a visit this summer and see what other beers they offer.