My partner and I were introduced to Galaxy Brewing out of Binghamton, NY at The Westy here in Ithaca through their Andromeda IPA - one of the best IPAs I've run across in recent years. It's slammed right in the middle of rich, well-balanced English-style and American, citrus-forward hop power.
Visit #1 didn't go quite as planned, as we headed down to the brewery for my partner's birthday, while I was almost completely layed-out, battling some sort of nasty virus. I slept for 6 hours after we got back mid-afternoon.
I'd been looking for an excuse for visit #2 and when we realized we had less than a week before one of our newest close friends was leaving town, who also was a big fan of Andromeda, a trek down to Bingo was in order. There were three of us, 12 beers on tap, and a flight came with any four beers. So, we just got all of them!
Phil's Pils (Pilsner) ABV: 5% | Rating: 8.8/10
Biting Saaz hops shine through with a slightly dry finish in this bold presentation of the Czech classic. An excellent example of Galaxy's blend of Euro tradition and American bold craft flavor.
White Dwarf Wit (Wheat Ale) ABV: 4.0% | Rating: 8.5/10
Light and understated with pleasant notes of mild banana and coriander backed by prickly carbonation. Refreshing.
Whiskey Saison (Saison aged in Whisky Barrles w Brett.) ABV: 7.6% | Rating: 9.2/10
Now we're talking! Bursting with peach & apricot notes, augmented by a slight funk in the exhale, and sliding in with a big, dry finish, this hazy, amber-hued Saison is fantastic. Excellent blend of Saison fruitiness and wispy thread of whiskey. I ended up ordering a full order of this to cap off the night later on.
Galaxy Maibock (Maibock) ABV: 7.4% | Rating: 9/10
Smooth, malty goodness is the showcase for another classic style with robust American enhancements. A refreshing, drinkable spring lager with pleasant caramel notes, firm hops, and healthy esters and alcohol content.
Big Bock Theory (Dobble Bock) ABV: 7.1% | Rating: 9/10
Beautiful malt flavors dance with apricot, spices, and bright esters with a velvety dry finish.
Sage-i-tarious (Belgian-Style) ABV: 7.8% | Rating: 9.2/10
Savory epicness in this fantastic marriage of Belgian tradition with a twist of experimentation. Perfectly soft carbonation and mouthfeel is followed up by mild notes of orange, all wrapped up in a velvety dry finish.
Omega Dubble (Belgian Dubble) ABV: 8.0% | Rating: 9.4/10
This is an insanely tasty double and a damn tasty beer overall. It's a malt lovers draem, stacked with blooming esters and threaded with mild notes of banana.
Galaxy Silk (Amber Ale on Nitro) ABV: 9.2
Silky smooth and beautiful, this Nitro take on Omega is quite tasty and highly drinkable. The esters are rolled off a touch with a touch of pleasant mineral notes and a dryer finish.. Great complimentary brew to have on the line.
Pulsar Porter (Nitro Porter) ABV: 5.5% | 8.8/10
Jet black with a glimmer of ruby, Pulsar offers up creamy, coffee flavors with a extended, dry finish of dark chocolate, more coffee, and a touch of bitterness
Mint Chocolate Stout (Stout) ABV: 6.8% | Rating: 9/10
Wow! This brew packs a punch of bursting fresh mint. An innovative brew, in my opinion and perfect execution of an odd-ball additive. Smooth chocolate nose are slammed with vegital, grassy, herbal mint that cuts right through.
Dark Star (Black Hopped Ale) ABV: 7.2 | Rating: 9.4/10
This is a damn good black IPA - this was the most memorable from Visit #1, having been one of the few things that broke through the wall of my inability to taste anything while I was sick for so long in the spring.
It's stacked with citrusy hops and plenty of grapefruit and rind notes, but cut with the dark side of bitterness and roasted malts. Big, bold, jet-black hop goodness. Recommended and a standout brew for sure.
Overall, a great beer & food visit and a must for anyone in CNY.
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