Notch Brewing (2020)

Do you expect the existing Desitka stock to make it to the weekend? Was going to make a trek on Saturday.

 

Order now online. Select Saturday pickup

 

So I added Desítka to BA the other day but I was completely unsure what to call it. At first I had European Pale Lager but changed it to Bohemian Pilsener.

I suppose either would be accurate but I'm definitely not an expert when it comes to lagers.

Regardless, such an incredible beer. I wish I got a case of it. The cans are legit right up there with The Standard on draft. I wonder if I were to have Desítka on draft if I'd be able to see God.

 

glad to hear this, as Salem is a bit of a trek for me and I don't want to be selfish and make a run just for beer right as MA is about to start peaking, but @mrmattosgood's order has me drooling a bit.

I'll swing by in a few weeks hopefully, when my own stock is lower and hopefully we're in a better place.

 

I think they have a good setup. Just wear a mask and maybe put on a pair of gloves. There aren't any crowds so you'll likely have nobody near you when you pick up your order.

That said, obviously health is far more important than beer.

 

They're not even checking ID? Gonna go tell some KIDS about this.

And yeah, I'm not opposed to the pickup (I've done one at Medusa), it's the 2 hour roundtrip drive.

I still have a fairly full fridge from my last haul. In a few weeks, I'll be low on beer, things will be a little better, and I'll buy a case or two of sick lager.

 

Made the trip today. Super easy pickup. So glad I grabbed a case of Desítka, it is outstanding! @ChrisLohring outdid himself on showcasing the malt in this one.

I love Notch, we are so lucky to have them.

 

I parked, walked into the patio area, found my beer, walked out. I masked up, but unnecessarily so. I didn’t even see another person. I just wish I had a spot to pee. Salem is a hike from Haverhill.

 

Pro-tip: when swinging by Notch to pickup cans Gentile brewing is less than a ten minute drive and make great no-nonsense drinking beers. Their Blonde is such nice bright, bitter ~4% abv ale. Gentile also has a coffee brown that wasn't overdone and a great experience to drink. Order on their website and grab cans/growlers from the window.

Coming from Waltham last weekend a lightbulb went off in my head and realized the two birds, one stone moment and capitalized.

 

Essex County Brewing is also 8 min away. I've yet to visit but I've heard good things. Looking forward to the day I can do a North Shore beer tour again.

 

I was trying to do something like this when I went to Notch, but it didn't seem like much was open on a Wednesday. Oh well, next time. Great advice.

 

Yeah, I went up a few weeks ago and it really couldn’t have been easier, minus the couple that parked immediately next to me despite a wide open parking lot. And I think Saturday is going to be a nice day, so I meet do a repeat of a drive down the shore back to Boston.

 

Down to my last 6 cans of Desitka. Will 100% need to get more of this. It literally disappears from my mug when poured. So much depth of flavor and so easy drinking. I’d kill to have this poured on the Lukr with proper foam.

...and to add to the North Shore suggestions being tossed around I’d mention Backbeat Brewing in Beverly. The Marcus porter and Fuzzy Brown brown ale are wonderfully flavorful displays of malt. No frills, well made beer. He also serves great BBQ and brownies to go. Whenever the taproom itself is actually open again go for the multiple English bitters served on cask.

 

Without traffic, and there is none these days, it’s 40 minutes to Silvaticus from Notch. We have different definitions of close

 

Posted a few minutes ago on Notch's FB account. Sounds like some great stuff is coming in the new few weeks!

"As we enter our sixth weekend of curbside pick-up (what has morphed into biergarten pickup), it's a good time to reflect on the hard work of our staff, the incredible support we have received from our customers, and what is planned for the next few weeks.

On March 15th, Notch had thirty five employees, and on March 16th there were four. And it has been these four employees doing everything possible to keep the company moving, both safely and thoughtfully. Because of these efforts, the biergarten pick-up has been a safe and effective way to sell our beer to go, and right now it is the lifeblood of our brewery, and we can't thank you enough for the support.

We have also been selling a great deal of beer through retailers (twelve packs especially), and this support is just as important. Ninety percent of our beer is sold outside of the brewery and through retailers, and your support of our local retailers is critical.

In terms of beer selection, we have been VERY lager focused in our 16oz can offerings recently. The reason (other than we love lager): we had all our lagering tanks and most of our fermentation tanks full of lager in preparation for the spring season. Starkbierfest, Czech Pivo Night, and the Ten Year Anniversary Party will not happen, but the beer had already been brewed. So, much of the beer that was headed to kegs made its way into cans, and it has been a fun and rewarding few weeks seeing so much support of the traditional lager styles we love so much.

On April 29th, we are canning more Desitka Ten Year Anniversary Beer, Voll New England IPA, Voll DDH IPA, and Voll Hang the DJ DIPA. All available in four pack 16 ounce cans. Hop heads rejoice.

On May 12th, we will be canning Dog & Pony Show, Bull in the Heather, and a new lager - Ungespundet Franconian Kellerbier that has been lagering for months (this is a treat).

Stay safe everyone, and we will keep doing this as long as we can and as long as you keep coming. Cheers!"

 

Did they open in March? Ouch. Hopefully they make it through this.
Channel Marker is supposed to be good too but I think they are geared towards ipas a bit more. Anybody been?

 

Yeah their first day open to the public was the first Saturday of March. It’s amazing how well Pete, owner and brewmaster, and his small staff have transitioned into a new business model so quickly. The IPA’s at Backbeat are modern NE inspired and quality, but I definitely prefer the maltier offerings. He makes a great black IPA which no one has really done lately.

My quarantine beer purchases have mostly gone back and forth between Notch cases and Backbeat growlers/BBQ dinners.

Side note if you’re going to Channel Marker I actually most enjoy their kettle sours. The Siren series is awesome. They definitely have solid local support. They’re great guys at the helm. Small production and the stuff sells out online in like 10 minutes for each day’s allotment.