#249: Jack's Abby Brewing » Session Rye IPL

Jack's Abby Brewing » Session Rye IPL | ABV: 3.8% | IBUs: 40 | Rating: 8.6%

My partner and I kicked off last Friday's at-home tasting with this new brew from Jack's Abby. Everything Jack's has been solid or impressive, so I was intrigued at the prospect of a quality, very low ABV beer from these MA lager innovators.

This Session Rye is a hazy, translucent amber with plenty of foamy, fluffy white head. The nose puffs up a soft plume of spicy citrus aromas. From first sip, it's a clean, refreshing, drinkable ride, but with ample character.

Having Centennial, Chinook, Columbus and Crystal hops at the very end of the boil, provides a distinctive, but subtle hop bitterness that never gets too biting. Rye heat and floral notes compliment nicely.

Overall, an excellent alternative to the session-IPA craze with a bit more character and subtle quality than most, though not the most hop-forward, if that's what you're seeking. Great body for such a low ABV. I'd encourage this to find its way to 6-packs.

#248: Flying Dog Brewery » Easy IPA

Flying Dog Brewery » Easy IPA | ABV: 4.8% | IBUs: 50 | Rating: 8.0%

Stemming from Flying Dog's Brewhouse Rarities series, Easy IPA has made it's way into year-round rotation and was second in our home tasting.

This session IPA pours up a transparent straw color crowed with a fluffy white head. Soft, mild hop aromas rise with a touch of pine and citrus. The flavor is quite mild with a minerally, mid-level bitterness in the finish.

Overall, there's really not that much going on here. I see this more as a brew that I'd grab while out at a bar when something other than beer is the focus. It's pleasant, well-balanced, but a bit too safe for this beer enthusiast's liking.

#227: Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Sympathy (Belgian Strong), Hamlet of Varna (Session IPA), Zingabeer (Belgian Pale w/ Ginger)

This past Saturday afternoon was particularly perfect weather-wise. A great day for a mid-paced flyer postering stroll around The Commons downtown, then palling up to Hopshire Farm & Brewery, having heard about their new Belgian Strong Golden Ale.

As usual, the place was hopping. We ran into several friends at the brewery, one of which had just finished up a run. His routines is a run to Hopshire to meet up with his sister for a glass. I have to say, if beer was at the finish line, I might run more.

Sympathy (Belgian Strong Golden Ale) ABV: 7.9% | IBUs: 25 | Rating: 9/10
This Belgian-style Golden kicks off with a fantastic aroma of banana, mild golden raisin, and smooth yeasts emitting from a hazy, golden body.

Down the hatch, intriguing flavors burst across the palate. An excellent use of Saaz hops for striking subtleties of herbal and spice notes, expertly balanced against always stunning Trappist yeasts.

Firm, pleasant booze notes and heat and strong esters charge out of the gate, followed by soft malt sweetness, mild mineralness, and event faint notes of pineapple; all wrapped up with a mild dry finish and plentiful Belgian spice.

Overall, a wonderful showcase of fruit flavor, Belgian yeast, and bold flavor.

Hamlet of Varna (Session IPA) ABV: 5.0% | IBUs: 45 | Rating: 8.7/10
In the surge of session IPAs over the last year, many have fallen short in the flavor spectrum, appearing as a merely mild, afterthought of a Pale Ale and a dull shadow of a true IPA.

But not here. Hopshire's Hamlet of Varna (a play on their Near Varna IPA) packs in west-coast Mosaic and Cascade hops and only light grains, Vienna & Pilsner malts for a burst of grassy hop and smooth grapefruit aromas, followed up by lively carbonation; deep, bitter hop flavors including dry pith, sharp grass and grapefruit notes, with a touch of minerals in the finish.

Overall a standout session IPA, which doesn't hold back on hop strength, instead holding the malt, and therefore gravity, in check, resulting in a drinkable, full-flavored brew.

Zingabeer (Belgian Pale Ale w/ Ginger) ABV: 8.0% | IBUs: 18 | Rating: 9.1/10
Again we're met with Vienna and Pilsner malts, but this time around it's a healthy dose of Belgian malts and Abbey yeast, alongside freshly grated local ginger from Good Life Farm which take center stage. Sign me up.

Mild, spicey aromas with wisps of malt introduce Hopshire's Zingabeer which breathe up from it's transparent, deep amber body.

This brew is particularly tasty, to put it simply. A perfect balance of the aforementioned showcased ingredients along with a touch of coriander.

Expertly balanced spicy ginger, smooth caramel, and crisp malts grace the palate. The 8% ABV is completely hidden behind beautiful Abbey yeast notes, and there's even a sweet, savory notes of cashew in there. All of that wrapped up with a dry finish and mouthfeel, that also presents a mild creaminess halfway through.

A dangerously drinkable, highly enjoyable, upper ABV summer brew.

#198: Ithaca Beer Co. » The Keymaster, The Sesh, & Golden Road (5-Barrel Series)

After a game-filled day at the Enchanted Badger, it was time for good food and more new releases from Ithaca Beer's 5-Barrel Series.

The Keymaster (Saison) 5.9% ABV | Rating: 9/10
An inviting, fruity Belgian nose starts things off - banana, yeast, citrus, and an inference of coriander. The flavor is malty, but relatively crisp and refreshing with a smooth spice and earthiness throughout. There's a slight wild tart and funk tucked in the back as well. Wonderfully complex with a subtle touch of fresh berries dancing around the other more prominent flavors.

The Sesh (IPA) 3.5% ABV | Rating: 9.2/10
Instant hit. High recommendation for limited or seasonal bottling here. Sesh starts off with a pungent nose of bright hops, but goes down nice and easy while being beautifully packed with hops. A whirlwind of tropical and citrus flavors and mild mineral notes, balanced and backed by crisp malts and fleeting notes of honey. I'd put this up against any of the day-IPAs trending at the moment.

Golden Road (Amber) 7.5% ABV | Rating: 8.5
Roasted and dry, with a light body. Full flavored with well-balanced toasty winter spices. Drinkable, warming, and refreshing, and that 7.5% is utterly well-hidden. A solid winter warmer and a nice addition to the limited series.