Notch Brewing (2020)

Discussion in 'New England' started by AlcahueteJ, Jan 7, 2020.

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  1. Matted24

    Matted24 Aspirant (267) Jun 1, 2013 Massachusetts

    Oh yeah the malt sweetness came across distinctly with those notes. I find it in a lot of Czech pilsners. It’s just they’re super balanced by the hops and lagering. The base beer here was Standard which is double decocted. That process of boiling a removed portion of the mash encourages increased malty, toasty flavors.
     
    #81 Matted24, Feb 24, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2020
  2. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Ah gotcha. I only asked because typically a pale lager will begin to have honey-like qualities when the beer is getting older. And caramel is something I associate with amber Oktoberfests for example (typically US versions) that use caramel malts to sweeten the beer. Whereas their imported counterparts might use Pils and Munich malts , and some use decoction mashing which I find really brings those melanoidin characteristics out.

    But I get what you're saying, some people I think perceive it as caramel and honey sweetness. For example, Pils malt to me, when it really shines, has graham-cracker like sweetness to it. But also flavors of lighter breads like biscuits and even crackers.

    Sounds delicious!
     
    #82 AlcahueteJ, Feb 24, 2020
  3. Sheppard

    Sheppard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,516) Mar 16, 2013 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Looks like PLP debuts at 4.48 on Untappd which is far and away the highest rating that Notch has gotten. The next highest is 4.17 for the Voll Project Dortmunder. I only saw two other beers above 4. All to say, I'm glad Notch actually gets love here.
     
    #83 Sheppard, Feb 24, 2020
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  4. Matted24

    Matted24 Aspirant (267) Jun 1, 2013 Massachusetts

    At the taproom drinking it again. Down to the last half keg! To your point it’s definitely a snappy beer and graham-cracker/crackers is there. The caramel/honeyed thing is almost like it’s spread lightly over toast. Comes across strongest on the nose and as the flavor fades.

    The Notch love / lager interest here really is amazing.
     
    #84 Matted24, Feb 24, 2020
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  5. YourDigitalGrave

    YourDigitalGrave Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2019 Massachusetts

    Very good but only 23 ratings. I wonder what the count will get to before it kicks.
     
    #85 YourDigitalGrave, Feb 25, 2020
  6. thedaveofbeer

    thedaveofbeer Savant (1,169) Mar 25, 2016 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I am glad to see the ratings so high for quality lagers, hopefully it will inspire competent brewers to venture into the style. We only need so many NEIPAs and Pasty Stouts! We need FRESH quality lagers in the USA!
     
    #86 thedaveofbeer, Feb 25, 2020
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  7. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Probably a 5. :wink:

    But seriously, I imagine most of those 23 people didn't just casually order the beer in the tap room. It's probably like-minded folks just like us who already really dig lagers.

    If this beer saw distribution I think it would likely drop in ratings. No slight on the beer, that's just what happens. Or if it was on tap more often at the brewery.

    For example, the beer that was added to the pitch-lined barrel was The Standard. This only sees distribution a few times a year, but it's on tap at the brewery year round. It has a 3.82 rating on Untappd (I'd give it close to a 5 personally, and I'm being serious).
     
    #87 AlcahueteJ, Feb 25, 2020
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  8. EnronCFO

    EnronCFO Pooh-Bah (2,193) Mar 29, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    You mean a brewery only special release, that also happened to occur on a 60* day in February, might have slightly elevated ratings? I refuse to believe it.
     
    #88 EnronCFO, Feb 25, 2020
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  9. YourDigitalGrave

    YourDigitalGrave Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2019 Massachusetts

    Someone needs to come up with an algorithm that corrects Untappd ratings for, at the very least, beer style bias and brewery bias.
    As a very simple rule, I add 0.2 points for lagers and subtract 0.1 from Tree House beers. Of course Tree House is screwing this all up by releasing lagers now but that is a discussion for another day.
    I know, it needs work. Is anyone here a mathematician?

    edit: The Untappd reviews I hate the most...
    "I don't like this style of beer so 3/5".
    Just don't rate it!
     
    #89 YourDigitalGrave, Feb 25, 2020
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  10. M-Fox24

    M-Fox24 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,941) Mar 17, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]

     
    #90 M-Fox24, Feb 25, 2020
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  11. ScaryEd

    ScaryEd Grand Pooh-Bah (3,793) Feb 19, 2012 New Hampshire
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I need to move to Salem.
     
    #91 ScaryEd, Feb 25, 2020
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  12. ScaryEd

    ScaryEd Grand Pooh-Bah (3,793) Feb 19, 2012 New Hampshire
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I guess I'm not surprised The Standard is rated that low on Untapped. I think it's underrated here as well, but that's to be expected.

    I am by no means an expert on lagers, and I'm sure I've rated/reviewed several of them unfairly over the years. But man, The Standard on tap is the absolute best pilsner I've ever had. The cans weren't quite the same but still amazing.

    And yes, I am super guilty of overrating Tree House. Trying to get better with my reviews, but still nowhere near where I want to be.
     
    #92 ScaryEd, Feb 26, 2020
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  13. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    You're pretty far away. :wink:

    But I agree, Notch and Howling Wolf (tex mex place in Salem) is probably all you need in life.

    The malt character alone in Notch's beers are something I haven't really tasted outside of the times I've visited Germany. There's probably some others that I'm not thinking of, but the US beers that hit those notes are few and far between.
     
    #93 AlcahueteJ, Feb 26, 2020
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  14. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    "Tapping another new beer this week - ALTBIER!

    4.5%. A traditional German ale fermented with Kölsch yeast (long, slow and cold). This classic beer style delivers a snappy bitterness with rounded notes of dark crusty bread and caramel. Sweet vanilla notes balance earthy bitterness, giving this beer a unique layered flavor. A brewer’s favorite! Come get some before we drink it all!"

    Regarding the Altbier... @ChrisLohring do you specifically brew some of your German beers to be 4.5% so they fit under the Notch brand? I only ask because German Kölsch and German Pils for example typically clock in around 4.9 - 5.1% ABV, but Fodderstompf and your Kölsch are both 4.5%.
     
    #94 AlcahueteJ, Feb 26, 2020
  15. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    For 11 months of the year anyway.
     
    #95 meefmoff, Feb 26, 2020
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  16. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Hopefully the new Brighton facility is open by next October. Then you can just go there.
     
    #96 AlcahueteJ, Feb 26, 2020
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  17. Matted24

    Matted24 Aspirant (267) Jun 1, 2013 Massachusetts

    This is exactly what opened my eyes up to lager over the past year. The depth and roundedness of their lagers while remaining so snappy and clean I think can create a fan out of anyone willing to branch out. I had Sunny Ridge from Jacks the other night and while good, fell short on these exact parameters.
     
    #97 Matted24, Feb 26, 2020
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  18. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's worth noting that most of the beers from Notch that really get the love here are fairly small batch. The volume and price at which Von Trapp and Jack's Abby make most of their beers puts them more in competition with Notch's widely distributed 12 packs than with their Single Series or tap room only stuff.

    I don't mean to take anything away from Notch of course, but I think the scale of things sometimes gets lost in conversations comparing some of their offerings to the other big lager producers in the area.
     
    #98 meefmoff, Feb 26, 2020
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  19. Matted24

    Matted24 Aspirant (267) Jun 1, 2013 Massachusetts

    I think that's a fair point. I definitely buy my fair share of Notch Session Pils in 12 packs when attending a party, BBQ or just buying in bulk. I'm still probably more likely to grab it than Jacks House Lager to be honest. Von Trapp I have the utmost respect for and their favorable pricing and stylistic choices should make it a more common recipient of my attention. If I didn't tend to buy beer either at a local taproom or imports from Total Wine I think I would get it more.

    I really am curious as to whether or not the Notch expansion will increase production/outside availability on some of the more highly touted Single Series options making this less of a consideration.
     
    #99 Matted24, Feb 26, 2020
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  20. YourDigitalGrave

    YourDigitalGrave Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2019 Massachusetts

    Are these comparably priced? I'm not saying you said they were it is just that would sway my decision a bit.
     
    #100 YourDigitalGrave, Feb 26, 2020
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