Allagash (2020)

I think I’m going to do my darnedest to time my pre-winter Portland stock-up for Ghoulship. That’s all. That’s the post.

 

Used to try this all the time at CBC’s Pumpkin Festival...*sigh*

 

The good news is that Maine is allowing us dirty Massachusetts people back in without the 14 day quarantine or proof of testing.

The other good news is that I am not the only one who always spelled Turmeric as Tumeric, evidenced by the posts above.

 

Anyone had the new stout yet?

 

Assuming you're talking about North Sky, pretty good! Definitely on the silkier side in terms of mouthfeel. I don't think there's lactose in it, but it certainly has a medium body like a "traditional" milk stout. As it warms, it leans towards the dark fruit/ cherries direction that I've been enjoying more recently. Has a nice roastiness throughout that isn't overpowering, but still very present.

Not sure if this makes sense, but to me it's decidedly a fall stout. It's perfect as the weather begins to change and you can still sit outside where I need something a little more drinkable.

 

It does make sense, but stouts to me are more of a winter style.

Brown ales are a fall style to me.

 

Fair enough! It's always stout season for me, but I can appreciate a good brown right now.

 

For starters, yes. It can always be stout season. I just hate the preponderance of stouts that are 8%+. One of my favorites has been Six Grain by Austin Street. Even at 6.7%, it's a little high (and North Sky is 7.5%). If we could find a sweet spot of 5-6% stouts that have body and depth, I'm in for every month of the year.

(I'm also 100% buying North Sky first time I see it though)

 

I sort of take back my post.

It depends on the type of stout. A nice milk/sweet/ or oatmeal stout is great for the fall. A stronger stout, especially something barrel-aged, is definitely more of a winter type brew.

And I agree @mrmattosgood some more sessionable stouts would be great. I love Sam Smith’s Oatmeal Stout and Sam Adams Cream Stout.

Devil’s Purse just came out with an Irish Dry Stout at 4.4% in cans that hit distribution. I’m absolutely buying this without even thinking about it simply for the fact that I HARDLY see this style aside from the usual suspects (Guinness, Murphy’s...etc.).

 

Honestly, I should drink Guinness more. I agree with all that criteria and it's always available.

 

Macabre, sure, but Guinness is my, “You have one last beer,” beer.

 

As much as I hate nitro, I still do like Guinness. When they had the 200th anniversary mix pack they had just regular ol' Guinness bottled (not the Export) without the nitro, it was fantastic.

I'd kill to try Guinness on cask some day.

I also wish they brought back Beamish to the US. That was my favorite of the triumvirate (Guinness, Murphy's, Beamish).

 

Guinness has been my go to when watching soccer, partly because of the beer lists of the establishments, partly because it's great. Also, Guinness' bar branding is unparalleled.

 

I’m with @Ryanwithacomb. Give me 12+% BA stouts all summer long.

 

Don't get me wrong, I think it's cool to drink any style any season. I just think some fit certain seasons more than others.

But I drink Oktoberfests in August as soon as they come out. I want them fresh, I don't care if it's not "appropriate weather".

Not to mention the damn festival in Munich ends the first couple of days in October anyways. So it's not traditional to drink it throughout the fall.

One of the days I went I was sitting outside drinking Hofbrau's Oktoberfestbier in shorts on a beautiful and sunny 75 degree day.

 

I won't shy away from one in the Summer, but I certainly drink more of them in the winter.

 

+1

 

Roughly all my favorite nights out drinking, outside of some foreign travel, involve a lot of Guinness.

It's the only stout I consider refreshing. Nothing beats a hot summer day in newport, finding respite at Buskers or Midtown or wherever, and taking that first sip of Guinness.

 

I refer to it as a session stout.

 

Porter?