New England Lagers

I actually had that and somehow forgot about it. It was awesome.

 

I guess the only two German examples I have to go on are Ayinger's and Hofbräu's and I was mostly going on the color and less assertive toasted malts for Red Tape. Which is not a bad beer by any means. I will have to revisit it and do a side by side with Von Trapp's. According to the BJCP guidelines you referenced there's some wiggle room so I guess I need to explore the style a bit more.

 

For sure. And most stores, if they carry Medusa at all, seem to only stock Laser Cat. I'd love to have access to their stouts and lagers without driving to Hudson.

 

That's a good point and I've wondered why they don't offer specials like that more often as well (either in the taproom or as "premium" priced four packs). I *thought* that I really liked their unfiltered Helles that was on offer a while back, but then in a blind taste test I couldn't tell the difference. Ooops.

They had a double version of the IPL a few years ago that I thought was surprisingly pretty great since that's not in their wheelhouse at all, but I haven't seen it in ages. I suppose they have their business plan and they're sticking with it.

 

Fox Farm has got so much love here over the past year that I can't wait to visit once we finally move on from the plague. Their website only intensified those feelings.

 

Fox Farm for Notch, just putting it out there for MA residents...we only single decoct in CT but still great product.

 

Yeah, for sure.

I don't mean to disparage their IPAs. They seem to really like Huell Melon hops which give a strawberry flavor I do not like in my IPAs, but they make some good ones (Hidden City, Ruction). I even like Laser Cat, but not into DIPAs these days, and they're competing with Second Fiddle and Sip in that space so that's a hard sell.

But their ESB, lagers, stouts, and Belgian pale offerings are all really good.

 

Well, some do (e.g. Marlowe, OEC), but Adams relies on infusion mashing, so no weight on decoction. Nonetheless, the practice is immaterial, considering the driven (consistent) quality in FF lagers

 

Fox Farm is single infusion. Interview with Zack Adams for more info: https://beerandbrewing.com/podcast-episode-172-zack-adams-of-fox-farm/

EDIT: I love FF lagers too, but this explains why they don't go even lower ABV with them. Their lagers are still impressive. I could drink a ton of The Cabin.

 

Wow, my mistake. I just listened to that again and clearly misheard the first time.

 

I bought three singles and noticed the ABV is actually 5.7%. That’s definitely high for the style, that’s Oktoberfest range.

Had one can on a not-so-clean palate, was good.

I definitely agree, the German examples seem darker than Jack’s Abby Red Tape, but I think there is wiggle room.

That being said, the BJCP is not the Bible for Beer.

 

This is excellent. Highly recommend if you're a lager fan.

 

Mighty Squirrel in Waltham has impressed me with their lagers. I've had their Oktoberfest, smoked and helles and they've all been great. They also had a big pilsner (7% or so) brewed with spruce tips that was interesting, but I bought it hoping for a Sam Adams Impy pilsner type of thing.

 

Speaking of lagers:

https://vinepair.com/articles/italian-pilsner-evolution/

 

I will read your article, so this has nothing to do with you.

But after trying multiple Italian Pilsners, I've decided I don't really care for the style.

Too hoppy would be my main reason.

 

I just do what is asked of me.

 

Alberto is so good.

 

you do it well, good read!

 

And I just read them...it's a good system.

Plan on reading it later, thanks for linking to it.