#142: New England Brewing Co. » Galaxy Pale Ale

Brewed with a Galaxy from far, far away...

The Brewery: New England Brewing (Woodbridge, CT)
The Brew:  Galaxy Pale Ale
Availability: Draft Only
ABV: 4.8%
Rating: 9.5/10
Location: The Westy

The Story? After a lengthy work day, productive rehearsal, and another meeting about the water damage repairs at the house, it was time to meet up with my partner for a drink. My friend Michael Stark has been on residency at The Westy this fall, but I've been too swamped to catch a single solo or collaborative set.

Lucky for me, he had a special line-up this week including one of my own bandmates. An evening of good conversation, fantastic improv, and hoppy beer? Sign me up.

While I've made it through New England's Sea Hag and Gandhi Bot, this was the first time I've run across their Pale Ale. Galaxy is their first beer in a series of single hop releases, brewed exclusively with Galaxy hops from New Zealand. These NZ hops have been getting a good amount of buzz of late and for good reason.

The Beer? I'm served up a mug of Galaxy and it's a opaque, deep yellow with a thin wisp of white head. The nose wastes no time flaunting voluminous passion fruit, citrus, and tangy grapefruit aromas with lemon and orange zest. So far, this brew is quite enticing and the fist sip does not disappoint.

Galaxy is gracious on it's feet with only 4.8% and a light body and goes down easy with a plethora of hop complexity, zest, and excitement. Notes of kumquat and grapefruit are apparent throughout and close with a wonderfully dry finish and pleasant mouthcoat. I'm almost hesitant to get another beer after this. Wow!

One of the best showcases of New Zealand hops I've run across yet. Highly recommended.

#055: New England Brewing » Gandhi-Bot (Double IPA)

Nectar from our robot overlords...

The Brewery: New England Brewing (Woodbridge, CT)
The Brew:  Gandhi-Bot (Double IPA)
Availability: 12 oz cans, draft
ABV: 8.8% // IBUs: 85
Rating: 10/10
Location: Ithaca Coffee Co.

The Story? Last time I was in Coffee Co. for the delicious Femme Fatale Brett, their beer guru James mentioned brews from New England Brewing would be arriving soon. I'd seen cans of their 668 Neighbor of the Beast (awesome name...) around, which obviously stuck out, but I kept forgetting to research the company further. Once again, it slipped my mind.

Thursday hit and I was on a mission to pick up a coffee-stout as a gift for a friend. Head down, I caught a glimpse of Fingerlakes Beverage Center's draft board and through to myself, "there's that New England company again, I have to check that out". The next day, Friday I see someone post to The Westy about getting New England's Gandhi-Bot on tap. "Gandhi-Bot... I definitely remember seeing that somewhere, must log this to memory."

After work, I'm still on the coffee-stout gift mission and head to Coffee Co. No luck, but they have one can of Gandhi-Bot left. Noted, but not yet worth it. If I'm getting this I want more than a can. Another time.

I'm about to leave when I spot three of my co-workers who invite me over for a round. They convince me to stay and I begin to digest the draft board... "What are you having?" spouts off one of my co-workers as my eyes widen... "Gandhi-Bot", I reply.

The Beer? Dank, densely aromatic, and fruity nose - lots of citrus and tropical fruits going on here. Even on first sip, I'm calling this one IPA perfection. Incredibly full-flavored and the full spectrum of hop power.

This one goes down like a glass of smooth hop nectar. Booming with citrus peel, grapefruit, orange, passion fruit, malt sweetness, and a bit of biscuit; all poured out in a perfectly, hazy golden liquid with a rim of white head.

Highest recommendation. I just picked up some cans this week as well, so we'll see if there's any difference from the draft. Glad the world put a flashing neon sign up for me to finally try this one. One of my new favorites.