The title says it all advocates. What beers have recently (or not so recently) pleasantly surprised you, whether that’s from a brewery that’s known to make decent/good beers but nothing usually that impressive or a style you’re generally not too fond of but you kept an open mind and actually enjoyed one? That would be Brooklyn Naranjito here, because it’s labeled an «Orange ale » and while Brooklyn never really disappointed me I wasn’t expecting to really dig it the way I did. Very refreshing, an easy sipping beer that goes down smoothly especially when the weather become a bit more mild or hot. Yours?
I enjoyed Lawson's Finest Liquids Comet Session that was recently released in 22oz bottles and on draft. It was brewed on their original system (not at new facility). Typically session ales serve their purpose but I don't necessarily seek them out or get excited about them. This one had excellent balance and layers of varied hop flavor. Noticeable malt presence, citrus, grass, earthy resins and none of that soapiness that can occur in some session strength hoppy ales.
Birra Moretti La Rossa doppelbock. Had never heard of the beer or brewery until a few months ago here. The fact that they're affiliated with Heineken was a bit of a red flag, but based on recommendations from a couple BAs I trust, I bought a 6-pack. Was still not expecting it to be as good as it is.
I was pleasantly surprised by Notch's Raw Power. It's only 4.5% and labeled as a "Small IPA," which I like better than "Session IPA." For a brewery known for their great low-ABV lagers, I was delighted at the delicious, citrusy pop it has. It reminds me of a good old-fashioned west coast IPA, only smaller.
I have really been enjoying almost every beer from "Pueblo Vida Brewing" in Tucson, AZ. Their beers are super clean, tons of flavor, and just easy drinking. So far I have yet to get a bummer from them. Arizona has some really solid breweries and this is just another that is making it's mark as a top notch brewery. Cheers
I was handed a Bell's Light Hearted (the session version of Two Hearted) at a buddies over the weekend and I was very surprised. It felt light while maintaining a big hop presence. It didn't have that weird tinny flavor you'd expect from lower amounts of a bittering hop like Centennial only
Probably not a shock, but I can’t get Half Acre here, but they make fabulous beers. Let me add the big stouts from Transient Brewing, best stouts I’ve ever had.
-Bell’s Lager of the Lakes pilsner, impressive imo -Founders Solid Gold, it’s an AAL with flavor, I like it -Hoegaarden, just a Belgian white, AB distributes them here, but really good nonetheless -Leffe Blonde, another AB distributed beer from Belgium, wasn’t sure what to expect, lower abv Belgian golden ale, I love it -Lindemans Faro, the only one of this style that I’ve found and tried, wasn’t sure what to really expect going in, but the lambic with the brown sugary sweetness is something I enjoyed more than expected. Wish I could find more faros
Very similar thoughts to mine here, for every beers you listed but to highlight Lindemans Faro I totally agree; it drinks like a cider, and is worth every penny. We have no shortage of them here.
I got a pour of that at an Italian restaurant here in Boston, pretty nice doppelbock, and I’m half Italian so I liked it even more
Fat Heads and two other local breweries (Bookhouse and Noble Beast) made a pizza beer a handful of months ago. It was actually super good, and had a similar savory factor as a Schlenkerla (minus the smoke) which made it work. Recently had Third Wave IPA from Christian Moerlein. It’s a beer that’s most people don’t seek out, or it doesn’t taste “modern” enough. But I love it for its classic malt presence and piney ass C hops!
