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.

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...

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.

BEER - Otherwise IPA

Tonight I had the other beer I'd taken away from Sterling Street Brewery, their Otherwise IPA.

It poured out of the 32 oz. growler with an undesireably wasteful big head, but the citrussy scent was fantastic. And for a 6.9% ABV, the booze didn't register at all. Light and breezy, the beer goes down smoothly with a pleasing aftertaste. A nice blend of Citra and Amarillo hops. Next time I'll snag it in a 4-pack of fresh cans, which is actually a better value than the small growler. A very good IPA.

Sterling Street Brewery

I had today off, and was running errands in the area anyway, so I decided to check out Clinton, MA's Sterling Street Brewery.

I had a pint of their Down With the PumpKIN' pumpkin spice ale, and at the bartender's suggestion I forewent the cinnamon/sugar rim (which would have been my inclination as well). It had just the right amount of seasonal flavors without being overpowered. And at 5.1% didn't pack a huge punch. It'll be my baseline for all other beers of this type this autumn. Highly recommended! Also, the place itself was clean and airy, and the staff was super friendly and knowledgeable.

I left with a pair of pint glasses, a 32 oz. growler of their Otherwise IPA (for another day) and a 4-pack of 16 oz. cans of the DWtP. I'm definitely glad I stopped.

Closed - TOAD

*SIGH*

I was looking at various venues in Boston to see if there were any interesting live shows coming up, and sadly, I stumbled upon an old hangout only to find out that it's closed its doors for good.

TOAD in Cambridge was a huge haunt of Jay's, and I spent many evenings over the years bending my elbow with him at the bar. It was a nice little place at the top of the mountainous stair climb of the Porter Square T stop.

Often there was live music, and we (Jay, Brian, Gavin, etc...) got to see a few good shows there, including blog favorite Abbie Barrett doing bluesy versions of her "Dying Day" album songs, plus a lot of Neil Young covers. Add in the bonus of Christopher's Restaurant being right next door, and TOAD was truly the place to be for a night of inexpensive fun with friends...

Thanks for the great service, fun lineups, awesome beer and fantastic memories. You will be missed.

BEER - Laser Cat Imperial

I hadn't had a beer in over three weeks, and Saturday night when I jumped back in I decided to try Laser Cat Imperial IPA from Medusa Brewing Company out of Hudson, MA.

A nice dark pour, not too foamy, I was hit by the mix of hoppy and tropical scents. It is a good blend of hops and citrus, and despite being 8.0%, it doesn't have a boozy nose. Very smooth, with great flavor, and not too bitter, not too sweet. I think a road trip to the source is in order...

Upgrade

I have the best aunt ever. She got herself a pair of Apple AirPods, and liked them so much that she decided that her favorite nephew needed a pair too!

They arrived from Amazon yesterday, and after finishing watching the Monaco Grand Prix, I synched them to my iPhone X, and then spent 2 blissful hours listening to the Groove Salad station on SOMA FM. What an amazing gift...

BEER - Connect the Dots

Last night I had a couple of Connect the Dots New England IPAs from Progression Brewing Company out of Northampton, MA.

Wow, this beer is hazy! It's a decent combination of Simcoe and Citra hops, with each coming out in the flavor at various times. I enjoyed everything about this beer except for the occasional boozy 'a bit off' scent from the pint (I'd poured a can into a pristine glass). Good stuff! I definitely want to try out other beers from this relatively local brewery...

BEER - Let the Field Go Fallow IPA

Let the Field Go Fallow IPA from Belleflower Brewery in Portland, ME is a light and flavorful experience. Not too boozy at 5.8%, it goes down very smoothly. I hope to get up to Maine at some point this year to try it on tap, for it pours out a bit foamy from the can. Highly recommended.

BEER - Santilli

Well, there's not much to say about Santilli IPA from Night Shift Brewing, except that it's quite good. Unremarkable, but not in a bad way. It's smooth and unassuming, and sometimes that's just fine, especially since the brewery features so many other great beers. Recommended!

Bandcamp Friday - Tiny Microphone

I've been a fan of the band Tiny Fireflies for years. Today is the release of a related project, Tiny Microphone. I snagged it today on Bandcamp Friday, so the artist gets ALL of the proceeds.

If you like the voices of Kay Hanley or Susanna Hoffs, and jangly guitars, this might be a good addition to your 2023 playlist!

BEER - Beyond the Pines

I went to my sister & brother in law's house last night for dinner, and I brought a pair of 4-packs of beer. They were the incredible Beyond the Pines IPA from Widowmaker Brewing Company out of Braintree, MA.

Delighfully powerful grapefruit notes as the can was popped! And the beer was super hazy. Fantastic citrus flavor, and at 6% ABV it went down smooth without knocking anyone for a loop. It tasted amazing with the cheese/pepperoni/cracker platter. Everyone loved it. I can't recommend this beer enough.

BEER - Powder Jones

Friday night I had a four pack of Zero Gravity's Powder Jones IPA (Strata & Idaho hops). It had a nice 'wild grape peel' and citrus scent, was very smooth, and tasted very decent, but it wasn't super-remarkable. Very good, but not great. I'd buy it again if there was nothing more interesting available, but I wouldn't make a special trip for it as I have in the past for that brewery's Tiny Hat IPA (SO amazing) or I'm a Radio IPA.

BEER - The Last Supper

I got a 4-pack of a triple IPA called The Last Supper from Shire Brew-Hous out of Dalton, MA (visited in 2022, see a previous post)

The scent when the can was popped is fantastic. The flavor, citrusy and also piney, was sadly overwhelmed by the booziness of the beer (alcohol-forward). So while the beer is delicious, it is very strong, and hits you rather quickly! My ears were going numb halfway through the first can, and over the night I had three. I drank them slowly, and mostly enjoyed the experience, but I don't think it's going into my rotation. Advice: eat something salty as you drink. I had some amazing blue tortilla chips from Whole Foods' own label, and they paired perfectly.