Sunday, January 21, 2024

BEER - Atlantic Fog NEPA

Atlantic Fog New England IPA is a great beer from Moon Hill Brewing (part of the Gardner Ale House) in Gardner, MA. I'll paraphrase from my review on Untappd.

The beer has a piney scent and flavor, but it's not super bitter. There is a floral aftertaste which is faint but quite pleasing. And the 6.9% ABV doesn't hit you all at once, nor is there a boozy note to be found. I like it. And since I haven't been to the Ale House since it began making beer to take home, or hung out with Jay in awhile, perhaps it's time to have a few from the tap sometime this year...



Tuesday, January 9, 2024

BEER - Star Gazer IPA

My first beer of the new year is Star Gazer IPA from Element Brewing Company out of Millers Falls, MA. I had a few of them last night.


Star Gazer a session IPA (4.5%) with a faint floral scent out of the can. It's flavor profile is rather muted, with nothing too outstanding. That being said, it's a pleasant drinking experience. I'd put it on the list of beers I wouldn't necessarily seek out, but that I'd order if it was on tap somewhere, because it won't steal focus from the meal, and would probably pair well with most pub fare.

Sunday, December 31, 2023

BEER - Half Light Sunbeam IPA

For my final beer of 2023, I ended on a super high note!

The fantastic Half-Light Sunbeam IPA hails from Brick & Feather Brewery out of Turners Falls, MA.


The beer is light, fresh, citrusy and very hazy. It smells fantastic coming out of the can into the pint glass, there is no boozy scent or flavor, despite the 6.5% ABV. It's surprisingly refreshing. I'd rank it in my Top 10 Beers of the year, and since their In Absentia IPA is also very good (see recent post) I have marked the brewery down for a visit sometime in 2024.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

A Niece Night for Davis

Tonight I took my sister's 3 daughters into Davis Square to 'Hang Out with Food', and show them a few of my regular haunts.

After a swift, little-traffic drive down Route 2, we had dinner at The Burren (because who doesn't love Guinness and live music?). Celia and I each had a Burren Burger (the thick cut fries were amazing), and the twins (Helena & Georgia) split a Margarita Flatbread Pizza and a basket of sweet potato fries. Plus beers all around. We hung out there for about 90 minutes and then headed off for my next planned destination.



Sadly, for some reason, Saloon was closed.

So we backtracked a bit and went to The Foundry instead. With its red leather booths beyond the main bar, exotic lighting, and being not very crowded, it was a worthy alternative to Saloon, with a similar drinks menu. The girls were all enamored with the selection and the ambiance, and it was cool to have them see one of the newer hang outs of the Not Lame Minus crew. They each tried something different (for their first round - I was the driver), and I, not being a big spirits drinker, chose a Velvet Crush (rum, spiced pear, lemon, velvet falernum, and amaretto) which was very good, and I'd definitely have again. Another 90 minute hang out there, and then it was a walk back to the Red Line, back in the car, and amazingly, home by ten.


SUCH a fun night, with three of my favorite people! I'm sure we will do something similar sometime soon...

Monday, December 25, 2023

BEER - In Absentia IPA

I was fully immersed in playing the very fun Konkr.io all evening, and as I did I had a few pints of Brick & Feather Brewery's In Absentia IPAs.



The beer had a fantastic pine scent as I cracked the can, followed by a mix of orange and tropical flavors. It went down very smoothly, and despite its 7.2%, without any overpowering alcohol feel. I definitely want to check out this small brewery in Turners Falls, MA.