Notch Brewing (2020)

Thanks for the info.
It sounds like the area is turning into a nice little beer destination. My brother-in-law lives almost exactly in between Notch and Backbeat/Channel Marker. I may have to visit him more often when this all blows over.

 

Those who have done curbside pickup at Notch, can you select time of pick up? Or do you just pick the day and they tell you when to come?

Thanks!

 

I cracked! Saturday was so nice out, fiance remarked on Friday we should just take a drive somewhere on Saturday, I said "Well.... we could drive to Salem and back". I know I know, I'm selfish af. But it's our first time out of the house together since lockdown over 7 weeks ago, it was ridic nice out, plus we drive a new reliable af Honda Civic. Though I must say, roads were pretty damn packed on Saturday. Would never know the state was amidst a crisis from your car.

Anyway, I think I have enough beer to get me through May now:

3 4pks Desitka
2 4pks Standard
1 4pk Loggerhead
1 4pk Polotmavy
Kolsch Quart
Altbier Quart
Tenner Quart
1 sick awesome proper 0.5L Willi Becher that actually holds a proper pint pour

So far I've sampled 1 Desitka, 1 Standard, 1 Loggerhead, and I'm currently polishing off the Kolsch which I shared with my fiance with some pizza.

I unfortunately sampled the Desitka before it fully cooled, so it was a bit warm. It was good but didn't blow me away. Also had shortly after some tea so my tastebuds were probably wack. Look forward to revisiting. I have plenty.

Loggerhead was great. I hadn't had a doppelbock in quite some time. Very enjoyable. Think the next time I open one I'll let it warm a bit more. I'll also save one or two to share with my parents who both love German beers (they used to frequent a great German restaurant called Redlefsen's in Bristol, RI that always had unique German beers on tap. It closed a couple years ago, sadly).

I had a Standard today while playing a golf video game earlier this afternoon. Not as amazing as on tap off their side pulls, but still an absolute crusher of a beer. Would gladly always have this in my fridge.

And the big surprise, and maybe this is a testament to how much mood/food/etc can affect our senses, or maybe the beer is just this good, but the Kolsch absolutely blew me away. Maybe a kolsch is just extra-appreciated alongside a hot crispy pizza, but even my fiance who is, generously speaking, lukewarm on most beer, ended up drinking half a pint of the crowler, remarking "wow this is good." Refreshing, perfectly carbonated, huge fluffy head, smooth and medium-bodied, perfect balance of floral and a hint of lemon. One of the better beers I've had in recent memory. Well done.

 

Agreed. This is the beer that got me looking beyond the word "pilsner" and into "well, what kind of pilsner?" This might currently be what I'd call my favorite beer.

Super happy with my haul and not a bad beer in the bunch, but I'd probably put the Tenner at the top, followed by the Doppelbock. There are something about those two beers that really hit me the right way. I'd love to get that Tenner on tap on that deck. Seems like a perfect warm weather day beer. Alas, one day.

 

New GBH podcast with Chris and Brienne from Notch

https://www.goodbeerhunting.com/gbh...is-lohring-and-brienne-allan-of-notch-brewing

 

Just listened to it. Big fan of what Chris has to say. He did a podcast with Craft Beer and Brewing in 2018 that was awesome. Inspired me to visit Notch later that Spring on that year’s New England Beercation and was so glad I did. A must stop for me every time I’m anywhere close to Boston, which sadly isn’t that often. He also spurred a long deep dive into traditional lager production and how it should be served and presented.

 

Not sure I could tell the diff either but Tenner was my favorite of the two, likely the from the tap thing though. BOTH are just phenomenal.

 

Wouldn't surprise me if the quart cans being tap filled made a difference. When I popped the Kolsch a nice bit of foam fuzzed up out of the spout.

I'll probably have both remaining quart cans next weekend.

 

That was what I suspected as well. Tenner was the first of the beers that I had and remained my favorite of the group. I also assume that given another circumstance (weather, what I ate, my excitement level, etc.) I would have had another favorite.

 

I’m hoping to make the trek up there this Saturday. Is there anything in Salem that we could do while we’re there? I know all the usual stops to do when things are normal. But, obviously, things are not normal right now. It’s supposed to be nice on Saturday, so any ideas for outside stuff would be awesome.

Thanks.

 

Thanks for the link

 

Per their Instagram story (and vids I’ve seen before):

what’s the story with dipping hot iron into the loggerhead?

 

“Beer poking” is the practice of caramelizing beer with a two-foot steel rod called a “loggerhead” that's been heated over smoldering embers. The tradition is, of course, German in origin, and it historically took place to commemorate Doppelbock season in late winter or early spring."

They also did this with mulled cider back in the day. I am guessing for the similar reason of caramelizing the sugar.

 

You mean besides going to Gentile and Backbeat?

 

I loved the Kolsch as well. Blew me away, as I was not expecting that level of flavor from a Kolsch. One of my favorite canned offerings from them.

I am also eagerly awaiting the return of Who Loves the Sun.

 

Had a Polotmavy after dinner last night, paired with a good book. Surprise surprise, it's awesome. I have no history with Czech amber lagers, all I know is it's awesome. Reminds of a marzen, but a bit lighter and a nice bit of spice. I really liked it.