BEER - Opaaafest

I had a few spare dollars so I snagged a pair of Opaaafest Oktoberfest Lagers from Opa Opa Brewing Company last night, and had them both tonight.

As far as the style goes, it was average. Average as in: basic, nothing unique, not bad but not good enough to seek out. It was a pleasant experience, but that's about it. Which is unfortunate, because I love their IPA and a few other beers of theirs, which I used to get on tap out in western MA when I'd go to live shows at the Iron Horse and other local music venues. Oh well...

So: I do not recommend this particular beer. I will say that I do enjoy the festive artwork. And huge points for it being a label.

BEER - Great Fruit IPA

My brother in law (my sister's husband) took me and his son to Wachusett Brewery (which is a hop, a skip and a jump from the lake, where we were all hanging out), for lunch today. I had the pretty decent buttermilk chicken sandwich and some amazing french fries to eat, and alongside them I had a Great Fruit IPA. It was good, with a nice scent and a decent flavor, but it was rather unremarkable (which isn't necessarily bad, it's not). I'd drink it again for sure, but it's not really a 'gotta have it' offering, like their Nut Brown Ale has always been since the late 90's.

 

 

 

BEER - Lost Moonbot

 

First beer of the year, a four-pack of which carried me through last night's calendar turn into the sunrise, as I hung out online playing "Elvenar" and "DigDig", and goofing around with Ai modifications of my own drawings.

Lost Moonbot East Coast IPA by Moon Hill Brewing in Gardner, MA. As I posted on my Untappd account: "I can definitely taste the hint of black tea. The citrus is very understated. And it has just the right kind of bitter at the end of each swig...". It's a nice beer, but not one I'd search high and low for. I'd definitely try it from the tap if I am ever at the home location though.

Happy New Year 

Not Lame Minus!

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+

 

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.

BEER - Slippery When Wet

I had my final beer of the year tonight as I listened to music and played an online game called "Konkro.io". 

The beer is called Slippery When Wet IPA from Tripping Animals Brewery out of Doral, Florida. It features two hops with which I am unfamiliar, Lotus and Trident. It poured nicely from the can with little head, and it had a faint unplaceable scent. The flavor was decent, but it wasn't remarkable in any way. Basically the beer wasn't bad or good, just serviceable. If it hadn't been for the can's artwork, it might have been a total bust, but if nothing else, I now know which kinds of hops to be wary of.

BEER - Congress Street

I had dinner at my sister's house Friday night (as I do more often than not, hanging out with her and her husband, and whichever nieces are home), and the brewery of the night was Trillium Brewing, who have locations all around Boston, including near Fenway Park.

I had the Congress Street IPA. It was fantastically piney when I opened it, and it poured with a very small head. The citrus understones and a hint of melon made for a great flavor profile, and it went very well with the steaks we had for dinner. I've always been a fan of Galaxy hops (right behind Mosaic and Citra in my book), and it didn't disappoint. A very good beer.

BEER - Pacific Coast Time

I was drawing and playing online games this evening, and I decided to have a couple of beers. I had picked up a 4-pack of cans a few days ago, of Pacific Coast Time, a West Coast DIPA. 

Hailing from the Mighty Squirrel Brewing Company out of Waltham, MA, this double IPA is wonderfully pine-y, with subtle grapefruit undertones. And it has just the right bitterness. It pours very clear from the can, with very little head. None of that silly foam to take up space in a glass! And check out the artwork (often the reason I opt for one beer over another of similar profile) - a wave of hops. Very cool. And lastly, the beer definitely lives up to its name. It reminds me of many of the beers I've had with my brother over in Northern California. Highly recommended.

And for all of us Red Sox fans, they have a second location next to Fenway Park. Check it out!

BEER - Lake Life Pale Ale

I was at my sister's house for dinner last night with her and her husband, and on the way I snagged a 4-pack of cans of Lake Life Pale Ale from Hobbs Brewing Company out of Ossipee, NH (they also have a tavern in West Ossipee). It is a fantastic mix of Citra and Simcoe hops. We had it with grilled beef filets and garden salad, and it was a great match for the meal. At 5.9% it doesn't slam into you, but it does sneak up a bit.

 

I've had other beers from Hobbs, including the Jacked Up DIPA and the Hi, Jack! NEIPA, both great ones, so it was nice to find yet another good brew from this particular place. Recommended.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...