Have we had a BEER thread yet this summer? TEN YEAR ANN edition

ski_it

<p>OK - new nano in Salisbury, NH near Franklin Memorial Ski Area and not too far from Ragged Mountain. Trying to find out if they do growler fills, etc…</p><p>http://www.bigwaterbrewery.net/</p>

JimK

I have very unrefined taste in beers and probably drink more for apres-ski than any other time around home.  Some months ago I bought two cases of beer and I’m still nursing those along.

Hot days:

Cool days:

:)>-

Bkroon9175

I have grown to love stouts. The Maple Oatmeal Stout from 14th Star Brewery, St. Albans Vermont is outstanding

rickbolger

I’m enjoying that new Long Trail Green Blaze.  Replaced their long standing orange label IPA, which was probably losing market share to the newer, hoppier styles 

mtsnow123

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“Bkroon9175”>I have grown to love stouts. The Maple Oatmeal Stout from 14th Star Brewery, St. Albans Vermont is outstanding</blockquote>

The 14th Star stout is amazing. Very quaffable and good no matter the season. Sours have become a huge topic in Vermont and the whole beer industry. If you see a Gose, try it. Sours are not for everyone, but it brings a very unique flavor to the game.

If you see yourself driving past Exit 2 in Brattleboro, VT on I-91, jump off the highway if Hermit Thrush is open. It’s about 5 minutes from the highway and worth the sour explosion you will have.

Bkroon9175

Some sours pair really well with food. I would rather have a well brewed sour than an IPA. I think brewers have gone hops crazy.

rickbolger

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“Bkroon9175”>Some sours pair really well with food. I would rather have a well brewed sour than an IPA. I think brewers have gone hops crazy. </blockquote>

Why discriminate?  

I start with the sour, follow that with the IPA, finish with the stout.  Repeat as necessary.

JMaul

i don’t drink beer….

DrJeff

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“rickbolger”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“Bkroon9175”>Some sours pair really well with food. I would rather have a well brewed sour than an IPA. I think brewers have gone hops crazy. </blockquote>

Why discriminate?  

I start with the sour, follow that with the IPA, finish with the stout.  Repeat as necessary.

:D </blockquote>

Or even better, using the aforementioned and IMHO VERY GOOD brewing talents of Hermit Thrush in Brattleboro. Their Green Street SIPA is a sour IPA.  I’ve had 3 of them so far (can #4 of the 4 pack I got in late April is still in my beer fridge) and it’s a very good classical tart, sour flavor balancing a moderately resiny IPA backbone.  I will say that as I fan of both IPA’s and Sour on their own, that this “hybrid” from Hermit Thrush worked in my book!

mtsnow123

If you can try the Hermit Thrush Jolly Abbott, do it! It’s a 12 or 13% ABV sour with a great after taste. I love high ABV beers. I have some Dogfish Fort aging in my cellar: 18% cranberry ale. So good! It is way easier to drink than Dogfish’s 120 Minute. 

rickbolger

Now see what I would do is use that SIPA as a transition between the initial sour and the follow up IPA, followed by the stout.  So what would happen then is, with those four lined up, I would need to warm up.  So I would kick it off with a Von Trapp helles.  Then, after a palate cleansing hefe, repeat.

You might think I’m making this up, but unfortunately no, it’s what I do.

mtsnow123

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“rickbolger”>Now see what I would do is use that SIPA as a transition between the initial sour and the follow up IPA, followed by the stout.  So what would happen then is, with those four lined up, I would need to warm up.  So I would kick it off with a Von Trapp helles.  Then, after a palate cleansing hefe, repeat.

You might think I’m making this up, but unfortunately no, it’s what I do.

</blockquote>

And if you’re feeling adventurous, try out the new hoppy lager that Von Trapp has released. It’s very good stuff. I’m looking forward to the new Alchemist Brewery opening. It should be some time this summer.

ski_it

Ah-h-h, nothing like a few sours after a day at Okemo. (See how I tied it back to skiing?) Hermit Thrush

djspookman

I can’t drink anything with Gluten in it anymore due to health concerns,  so it’s severely limited my choices lately.  I’m LOVING Citizen Ciders Dirty Mayor though.  Yummy hard cider with ginger in it for a nice bite!

mtsnow123

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“djspookman”>I can’t drink anything with Gluten in it anymore due to health concerns,  so it’s severely limited my choices lately.  I’m LOVING Citizen Ciders Dirty Mayor though.  Yummy hard cider with ginger in it for a nice bite! </blockquote>

Citizen is going to retire Full Nelson (dry-hopped cider) soon and replacing it with Lake Hopper. Lake Hopper came out last week and is so tasty.

rickbolger

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“mtsnow123”> I’m looking forward to the new Alchemist Brewery opening. It should be some time this summer.</blockquote>

Interesting! Just read their “plan” on their blog, they’re not bringing back the pub. Having been in the restaurant business in Vermont I can tell you it’s not for everyone. Looks to me like they saw how Shaun Hill practically prints money at his farm over in Endoftheworld so they’ll make a killing in Stowe. ;)

JMaul

beer is stupid…..

mtsnow123

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“JMaul”>beer is stupid…..</blockquote>

Beer may be stupid to some, but when the beer industry yielded $270 million in 2014 in Vermont alone, it’s nothing to ignore. In a state where people have a hard time getting by, the boost that the beer industry provides to us is overwhelming. It is especially helpful during seasons such as these, when suffering from a bad snow season, people are still traveling from out of state to visit breweries, spend money in local restaurants/stores, and stay in local hotels.

rickbolger

Please pay no attention to Mr. Maul, unless you desperately need some Heady or Double Sunshine or you want to trade for some impossibly rare bourbon barrel aged monstrosity he’s been cellaring for a couple years.    Honestly.  He might even have the bicycle that Jeff Lebesch pedaled around Belgium.

If beer is stupid, he’s the Dean of Stupid U.   As Class President I can vouch for this.

ski_it

If you like sours and/or funky things, on your way to Powderhouse Hill Ski Area you may want to swing into Portsmouth to Earth Eagle Brewing. They make the standard stuff, plus host a few others. But they also make some gruits, some of which can be sour. From time to time they have a sour on too. Currently Quadrasaurus. Open ’til 10pm or later.

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