posted on 30 April 2009 by dan
The first time I had Long Trail was back in college, home for the summer, partying up in the woods behind my parents’ house (shh). One of my UVM-attending friends pulled a bottle of Double Bag out of his backpack and handed it to me; that was essentially my introduction to craft beer. So, Long Trail’s got a special spot in my heart.
Which explains why it was with some trepidation that I popped the cap on their new Brewmaster Series Double IPA - potential for fallen heroes and whatnot. On the other hand, it’s good to see Long Trail moving into the bomber format, a format that suggests a more serious, sit-and-sip brew when compared to the hey-everybody-grab-one six pack. Slipping the key under the cap, I’m holding my breath.
Not to worry. No disappointment here; in fact, this DIPA is one of the most compelling beers I’ve tried in a long, long time, as compared to its category or otherwise. Where most American IPAs go for over-the-top hoppiness and not much else, the hops in this bottle settle in nicely against a malty thickness that balances everything out. There’s bitterness still, of course, but it’s as if the bitterness is fighting uphill for prevalence on the tongue. The battle between the hops and the malts makes for an invigorating drinking experience.
Yeah, I said invigorating.
If you’ve liked Long Trail all along, or if you dig DIPAs, check this out. Actually, if you like beer, check it out. Long Trail takes steps in shutting up all the naysayers who claim Americans only know how to punch you in the face, beer-wise (uh, naysayers being a category that includes me - see the blurt on gulden draak just below. What? I’m an opportunist blogger. So?)
dJp
Tags: American beer, Brewmaster, Double Bag, double IPA, Long Trail, Vermont
Category: Beer Reviews, The Beer Blog | Comments (0)
posted on 22 April 2009 by dan
So, this is the week of the craft brew conference, which is an industry event that puts brewers face-to-face with the folks who sell their wares. It’s in Boston this year, which is cool, because the city’s flooded with all manner of brewers and their kind. Last night, Kristen and I headed out to the Cambridge Common to chill with the guys from Mad River.
Mad River’s a 20 year old company out of Humboldt (which is in CA, for all the right-coasters). They’ve been putting solid beers out all this time, rounding up award after award after award. Quality beer awards aside, they also win medals for operating their production at extremely low waste. Check out their website for more specific info on that tip.
Eric Spieth, the CEO/president of the company was on hand at the Common. Spieth’s an incredibly affable guy and exactly what you’d want from a brewer: humble, laidback, dedicated to his craft. He brought with him the whole line of Mad River beers, including the first entry in their High Gravity series, a Black Ale by the name of Serious Madness. Only 40 kegs of it got pitter-pattered across the country, so to be able to try it was something… it was something else. Talk about dark… the beer lives up to the black in its name and its topped off with a creamy looking head. In the mouth, it foams around your tongue, almost swallows you while you’re trying to swallow it. But it never gets hollow. Smokey, sweet… I wish we had some to sell. Enthused by our enthusiasm, Spieth told us he’s making sure we get at least a bit of the next High Gravity entry, a double imperial red (!). Look for it - it should be around this summer.
We’ve got the rest of the line in the store. Try the douple IPA - dig the hoppy kickback that’s like sharp berries on the finish. Dig the Jamaica Red, one of the most immensely drinkable beers I’ve had in a while. Dig this whole company.
dJp
Tags: black ale, California, CBC, craft beer, double IPA, High Gravity, mad river, red ale
Category: The Beer Blog | Comments (2)
