Jack's Abby (2018)

I love Smoke and Dagger too but every time I see it at my usual shops its usually 6+ months old. Yesterday I found it with an April canning date. Can anyone speak to how it holds up over time?

 

Interesting, I think it fails as a rauch, but is tasty in its own way. I'd say Fire in the Ham is the best American rauch I have had.

 

I’ve never had that. I see pictures on-line and I start frothing at the mouth. If I lived anywhere near this brewery, I’d try to apply for a job there, I love anything of theirs I drink. It kills me that I can’t get a lot of their one-offs and brewery only releases.

And, I’ve been drinking a lot of Schlenkerla Urbock lately, the smokiness in this batch of S&D, to me of course, is freaking awesome.

 

Have you had it recently? I had the same opinion as you. Good Schwarzbier, but very little smoke.

I had a can recently and it was significantly more smoky.

 

I haven't had it too recently. I like having a reason to revisit it now.

 

Apparently it's going to be all Jack's Abby all the time now:

https://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com/2018/11/jackys-abby-to-open-track-zero-taproom.html?m=0

 

I finished off the 6-er this past weekend. Awesome beer.
Availability: Limited (Brewed Once) is stated on this sites page.
The first review of this beer was back in January, my cans were dated 10/30/18.

Questions;
1) Why hasn’t anyone else reviewed/rated this all year (very limited 1st release maybe)?
2) Why are you sitting there reading this instead of purchasing and trying Red Tape?

But seriously this beer needs some attention. Cheers.

 

1) I don't know why it hasn't been reviewed more but it was one of the first non-core brews (originally Hoponius Union, Smoke and Dagger, and Jabby Brau) that Jack's Abby bottled, as I recall. Then I didn't see it at all for a couple of years until suddenly it reappeared as one of the four seasonals in pint can sixpacks. I was pleased.
2) I'm on the last can of my second sixer of the season and I'll be getting more tomorrow.

 

I believe Red Tape was the very first beer they brewed.

"Navigating the labyrinth of brewery licensing and state regulations isn’t easy. When we finally got the green light, we also got inspired with the perfect name for our pilot brew."

It likely doesn't get much attention because it's a Munich Dunkel. Those aren't popular with the kids these days.

Good beer, picked up 3 singles last week.

 

Red Tape was indeed the first beer we ever brewed. We purposely brewed a one-off for our pilot batch because it can be hard to replicate exactly what you did while learning a new system on the next batch. We came up with the name while going through some of the fun paperwork that is involved with opening a brewery.

We always liked the beer but it stayed on the back burner until we opened our new location and had a system better suited to brewing traditional German styles. We are very happy with where it is right now, so it is great to hear that you are enjoying it.

 

I’m also enjoying Red Tape. I needed a beer that was an little more sessionable, as I mostly have ipas/dipas and stouts in the fridge. And a sixer of Red Tape is hitting the spot......and of course the value is great!

 

I'm glad you posted this! When I see 'Amber Lager" on a label my mind tends to go to the boring examples cluttering up 90s brewpubs. I should have guessed JA was doing something a bit more interesting than that. Won't pass it by next time.

 

Red tape, for me, was lifeless and boring last year. It was one off purchase. Maybe I'll revisit this year seeing the new praise.

 

wouldn't mind trying that but didn't love Sibling Maker.

Picked up Red Tape and Modern Hell yesterday. Modern Hell is only the 2nd of the kellerbier offerings I've had from them, the other being Franconian Kraft (which was superb). I'm not sure I let this get cold enough in the fridge. It was pretty tasty but left me a little wanting.

 

Is it just me or does the Modern Hell have a booziness to it? I actually kind of like that in a beer so it's not a problem for me, but it's surprising at 5.9% ABV (even if that's a little high for the style).

 

just enjoyed a cold one. I can see what you are saying. Not even sure it's boozy but there's something akin to it with the beer.

It was more enjoyable a bit colder than I had it yesterday. Still prefer many of their other offerings more, though.

 

It's quite high for the style, that's more like an Export Helles.

Think Augustiner Edelstoff that we see here in the states...only not as smooth, and Edelstoff drinks just like a Helles to my palate.

I was getting a sort of "light Maibock" profile if that makes sense. That could be what you're picking up on, because I sort of had the same thing going on.

Only thing is, it doesn't take like a Helles, or a pale Oktoberfest, or a pale Maibock. Kind of a weird beer, not bad, but not great either.

 

Would have even cooler (heh) if they had used the freezing method. I know OEC makes a beer this way.

 

Yeah if it's not an eis beer dont call it one. It's not necessary to imply strength. Barleywine works fine.