Forest Home Lager
Blue Line Brewery

blue line has had some real growing pains, including infection issues and dodgy high fermentation temperatures really affecting and in some cases ruining beers. like all new breweries, i gave them a grace period, and boy have things improved. forest home is a dark lager brewed with rosemary and honey, is beautifully executed, and is really finally a brew for and by the northern adirondacks. other breweries have tried to represent this amazing part of the world, but this beer is an expression of that like few others have been. dark brown in color and rather thick, more like a porter than a lager as we know them, with a tall white head with good lace and retention. the rosemary is quite robust in the smell, earthy and pine-like, while the honey gives it a bit of sweetness. it sounds busy, but its not too much, as the dark roasted malt gives it some nice balancing bitterness and body. the lager yeast i think is the genius of this beer. it cleans up all the busyness, unites it well, and makes it finish so quick you cant help but hammer down another gulp. it keeps me thinking, but isnt overly challenging. all the elements come through well, i love the rosemary profile in it. this beer has been a staple at the turtle island cafe in willsboro, ny, a very cool little spot, but is now getting some wider distribution. glad to see blue line has shaped up a bit, the adirondacks really needs a small brewery working for it again. love this stuff.