Original IPA circa 1840 (for SACAGAWEA) 6% ABV One of our yearly flagship beers this is a historical recreation of IPA as it tasted when it was actually sent to India. Brewed with 100% English pale ale malt and 160 calculated IBUs of East Kent Goldings hops. Aged in neutral oak barrels for a year with Brettanomyces then dry hopped with more EKG hops. The aroma is beautiful with loads of Brett funk and orangey fruit from the hops. A year of aging in barrels has softened the eye watering amount of hops, the hop resin is still mouth coating but isn’t harsh in the least. Funky Brett, oak and fruity hops fight it out for your attention. Amazingly drinkable for all the complexity. This is really the companion beer to our East India Porter (circa 1840) released 2 weeks ago. I don’t know of any other brewery making these authentic recreations, this is a rare chance to taste what the Original IPA was like almost two centuries ago. Available in bottles at the brewery this weekend and at local bottle shops next week. Bottle conditioned 500 ml bottles $12 Note: We have always dedicated this beer to intrepid travelers, from Anthony Bourdain to Laika the first dog in space. This time we salute SACAGAWEA the Native American who guided Lewis and Clark.
Blueberry Sour (for Hound Dog Taylor)
Blueberry Sour (for Hound Dog Taylor) 6% ABV. Mixed culture fermentation in stainless then aged on 3 1/2# blueberries per gallon.
Deep red color with pink foam, bright blueberry aroma. The acidity is very pleasant, not over the top. Clean and crisp with a wonderful blueberry flavor.
East India Porter circa 1840 (for Camberly Kate)
East India Porter (circa 1840) Historical recreation aged in neutral oak barrels with Brettanomyces for one year.
Looking at it, it seems like a typical porter, almost black with a creamy brown head. The aroma lets you know immediately that this is not a typical porter. Leather, oak, molasses and marmalade. Unbelievably complex.
The flavor is dry and vinous with deep cocoa notes. The bitterness has mellowed considerably in the barrel and is now nicely balanced. The dry hopping with East Kent Goldings give orange notes that makes me think of chocolate dipped orange peel. The finish has licorice notes like an Italian amaro.
A beer like this is literally from another era and is a glimpse into the beery past. Far more porter was sent to India than the now famous pale ale but it was given the same treatment: double the normal hops and long aging in barrels before shipping to India.
This beer won the Michael Jackson award for Best American Cask at the Great British Beer Festival years back.
Arctic Ale circa 1870 (for Sir Ernest Shackleton) 12.7% ABV.
Brewed for Arctic expeditions during the 1800s, it was the strongest beer of its day so it wouldn’t freeze.
Style wise it is a STRONG Burton ale which means dark and malty sweet. It is very different than an imperial stout in that there is very little roast malt, instead it gets most of its color from dark sugar syrups. The black color and deep caramel flavors keep it distinct from a barleywine of the time as well.
The aroma is like a mix of sweet dessert wine and Italian amaro with raisin/licorice notes. The flavor is rich with chocolate covered raisin and deep toffee. Fat, chewy body with a long, but not cloying, finish.
A big honker of a beer that hasn’t existed for at least a century. The aging potential of this is 5-10+ years. Available at the brewery (bottles only) this weekend and at local bottle shops next week. 500 ml bottle $12
Tokyo Style Gose (for Damo Suzuki)
The idea for this mythological beer style started with imagining how brewers around the world would approach classic styles. Traditional Gose is a sour wheat beer flavored with salt and coriander.
Through a a Japanese culinary lens we substituted local white miso for the salt and pickled sushi ginger for the coriander. Mixed fermentation in stainless gives a bright but not aggressive acidity, the miso gives the characteristic sports drink salinity with a hint of umami. Topped off with delicate ginger flavor and you have one of the most refreshing and food friendly beers. 5% ABV $8
Mixed Citrus Saison (for Mark Rothko)
Mixed Citrus Saison (for Mark Rothko) 6% ABV. A traditional farmhouse saison brewed using local malt, free rise Mixed Citrus Saison (for Mark Rothko) 6% ABV. A traditional farmhouse saison brewed using local malt,Mixed Citrus Saison (for Mark Rothko) 6% ABV. A traditional farmhouse saison brewed using local malt, free rise fermentation and aged on lemon, orange, grapefruit and Bergamot orange peel. Complex aroma with classic saison yeast character combined with bright citrus. Bright and fruity flavor that finishes with a crisp bitterness. A great warm weather slammer or a perfect food pairing. and aged on lemon, orange, grapefruit and Bergamot orange peel. Complex aroma with classic saison yeast character combined with bright citrus. Bright and fruity flavor that finishes with a crisp bitterness. A great warm weather slammer or a perfect food pairing. $8
Vintage XX Stout circa 1850 (for Mick Ronson)
Vintage XX Stout circa 1850 (for Mick Ronson) 7.4% ABV. A re-creation of a mid 1800s stout. Brewed with the finest English pale, brown and black malts and a boatload of East Kent Goldings hops. Loaded with espresso, fudge and licorice notes and finishes with a firm bitterness.
This is in my opinion, the perfect stout. Almost Imperial Stout level flavor but a more approachable ABV %. Aging for a year or two will soften the hops but if you are a fan of bittersweet chocolate or dark coffee this should be right up your alley. $9
The Rise and Fall of English Porter Box Set
Six historical recreations following the rise and fall (and rebirth) of English Porter. Includes detailed booklet that has tasting notes and recipes and a commemorative teku glass. Sold Out!
Biere De Noel (for Saint Bibiana)
This year’s Christmas beer is a classic Belgian style quad with subtle spicing with fresh orange peel and a pinch of allspice.
Light holiday spice blends nicely with delicate Belgian yeast notes in the aroma. The flavor is sweet toffee/caramel with a hint of licorice. Drinks dangerously easy for a 12%+ beer, perfect for sipping in front of a fireplace or post thanksgiving dinner.
Aging potential on this is immense, at least 5 years if not 10.
Patersbier (for Saint Arnold)
Patersbier (for Saint Arnold) 6.7% ABV. The Trappist monks brew strong, mostly darker beers for the public but they make a beer just for the monks to drink that is lower in alcohol and usually lighter in color. Patersbier=beer for the fathers.
Our take on the style uses 100% Belgian pils malt, delicious Belgian beet sugar and French Aramis hops. Free rise fermentation using our house Belgian yeast.
Hoppier and drier than a typical blonde with a bright spicy yeast nose with some grassy hops. Malty yet very dry this will appeal to saison drinkers but without the phenolic yeast. Not really a beer for aging.