I come from a land down under

For National IPA Day we bring you PARADOX BREWERY's SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE DOUBLE IPA.  As the beer style of Northeast IPA (NEIPA) cultivates the super juicy citrus flavor many of us have come to love, brewers are turning to hops grown in New Zealand and Australia. Southern hemisphere hops bring tropical and overwhelmingly bright, fruity characteristics to the party.

in this beer, PARADOX uses hops from the southern hemisphere plus oats to get their magical liquid gold. It is playing around with the ratios of hops as well as adding other ingredients that make the proprietary differences that change the notes from one craft brewer to the next. Paradox has captured the ideal formula to produce a quintessential Northeast IPA.

The pour gives a fluffy, foamy head.  Initially you are hit with the bitter citrus flavors that quickly change to more sweet mango notes.  It ends with a mellow mouth feel. It's sweeter than other NEIPAs, but that's not a bad thing. 

NEIPAs made with southern hemisphere hops tend to bring the citrus tang, but PARADOX has crafted a particularly excellent example of that variety.  Another perfect summer beer for your weekend!  

HAPPY NATIONAL IPA to all!

If you steal my Sunshine....

Lawson's SIP OF SUNSHINE is a New England IPA.  Some would say it's the Coke to The Alchemist HEADY TOPPER's Pepsi. Arguments continue in Vermont to this day as to which is a better example of this New England IPA style.  It has a deeper golden (sunshine) color in comparison to HEADY.  You get the citrus mango flavors you expect of a NE IPA, but I find it has a more bitter/hoppy finish on the back of the tongue, like a regular IPA.  

This is a great summer grilling beer.  It would pair well with a greasy cheeseburger or a marbleized steak like a Delmonico or a Tri-tip. Drink up and enjoy! This one goes down easy but be wary of the 8% alcohol- it packs a punch.

To wedge or not to wedge.....

Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs, NY is a small up-and-coming brewery started by two friends in 2016. Initially they followed their love for Belgian beer and branched out from there. Being that it's Summer, a Witbier (White Beer) is a lighter alternative to the craft beer staple of an IPA.  It's a refreshing way to go on these 90 degree humid days.

I opened a can of WHITE IN THE GLASSES and poured it into a pint glass.  You first note its cloudy appearance and the impressive head.  It presents with a nose of coriander and orange peel.  You taste the spices as well as an almost nutty flavor.  It has a beautifully silky mouth feel that is the hallmark of a good Witbier.

The question is...to wedge or not to wedge...a slice of lemon or orange is a controversial topic.  My feeling is do what you want.  The first can I tasted I went naked, the second with a healthy edge of fresh lemon. Either way, you can't go wrong.

You can reach the brewery through www.artisanalbrewworks.com.

Hello, Salty Goodness!

Sour beers...you love 'em or hate 'em. There does not seem to be any middle ground. I love them on a hot summer day.  Now melon brewed beers... again love 'em or leave 'em. I’m a leaving type.

By accident about a month ago I had an Anderson Valley Briney Melon Gose. I asked for a gose at a local BBQ joint not realizing I would get a melon one. Right off you could taste the watermelon, but not in an offensive way. I find other melon flavored beers have a floral/soapy aftertaste to me. This one did not. It was very refreshing and the briney saltiness reminded me of a good margarita. After doing some digging, I was able to find it in a can at a local beverage mart. 

I had it again at home, and it was just as good as I remember. I think it would work well in a summer beer pairing menu. Match it up in an appetizer course with a hearty cracker and hummus or stinky cheese. Or pair it with a fish course of salmon, either grilled or roasted with fennel. 

Seeking beer's Holy Grail...

Found the holy grail. Bought the glass. Heady Topper floating in its signature tulip glass.

It's spoken of as "THE" craft beer from the northeast, and has developed it's own mythos:  they say you can only get it on days it is delivered to a local store in the Stowe, VT area... with long wait lines and purchase limits.  While this was once true when they only had a location in Waterbury, VT, but with the opening of the second brewing location in Stowe in 2016, it has become more readily available. On a recent trip (while staying at great dog-friendly cabins 20 min north, btw... www.muddymoosevt.com) I finally got to try it.

When poured in the brewery's own tulip glass if formed a beautiful head, and you can see its rich unfiltered goodness.  I know they say you can drink directly from the can...but I felt the glass gave the best experience. You can smell the citrus and pine notes as you tilt the glass to your nose.  It did not disappoint as I drank it down.  It has everything an IPA lover is looking for:  bitterness, malt and citrus flavors.  It does this without having the strong alcohol taste that some DIPAs have.  It has a nice smooth finish that makes you want to open another can.  

Here's the company's website so you can begin your own search- www.alchemistbeer.com.