#280: Maine Beer Company » Lunch (IPA)

Maine Beer Company » Lunch (IPA) | ABV: 7.0% | Rating: 9.2/10

As mentioned a few weeks back, a stop in Buffalo isn't usually without a stop at The Village Beer Merchant, where I snagged this bottle o' Lunch.

This praised brew pours up a hazy amber color with white, fluffy head all emitting a beautiful bouquet of grapefruit alongside soft floral notes, smoothed with a mild sweetness.

Dry, cool, and refreshing, Lunch is a mid-weight IPA with plenty of character. As easy to drink as an all-day variety, but quickly diversifying with a richer with a slight creaminess in the mouthfeel.

Bitter, biting hops hit the palate up front, followed by a quick flip of sweet & smooth flavors, then back a gain with a drying finish. An effortless, well-tuned beer, Lunch blurs stone and pome fruit flavors with bold Warrior, Amarillo, Centennial, and Simcoe bittering characteristics. It's clean with distinct notes of pine appearing further in with pith & rind peaking in here and there, but never getting dank.

Lunch is highly enjoyable, but not as jaw-dropping as its reputation, in my humble opinion. That said, I'll probably pick is up any time I see it and would absolutely recommend to any IPA fan.

Coming soon!

It still amazes me how vastly different the brand selection can be just a few cities over, even in the same state. Lunch at Blue Monk in Buffalo, meant a must-stop just a few blocks down to Village Beer Merchant, which last time didn't disappoint with finds like Madame Rose, Backwoods Bastard (draft) and other notable brews.

This time around, it's my frist pass at The Wild Beer Co., Maine's lauded Lunch, and the classic Leipziger Gose. Posts coming soon...

During checkout, I noticed an empty case box from BFM in the window and had to inquire if they had any in stock. My memory quickly blurred at the two other BFM offerings, when this 2006, Cuvee du 7eme anniversary ale came to my attention at a fantastic price. This will be an adventure at 8 years, but well worth it. Story coming soon...

Another enjoyable bottle share...

Another successful, small gathering bottle share this past week. The Maine Beer King Titus Porter and GRIMM Action Adventure definitely took the cake, while Bell's Third Coast, He'Brew Funky Jewbelation (one of my on-going favorites), and 21st Ammendment's He Said were all solid condenders. He Said is likely my new favorite pumpkin related offering, especially the Baltic Porter, which retains all of it's wonderful traditional notes, but thicker and meatier with the pumpkin addition and no bombastic pumpkin pie spices. 

Here's a quick pick from the call-out ones from September's as well. Bay & Pepper Your Bretts from Against The Grain was world-class phenomenal and the easy winner. It came off spiced, funky, slightly vegital and unique & amazing.