Looking for some "local" information about Allagash House beer. I have heard alot of fantastic things about Allagash house beer and would really like to try it. I am going to be traveling to the east Coast in mid to late July and visiting Allagash seems like it is going to be a must stop during the trip. Is Allagash house beer a beer that is always or frequently available at the brewery on a regular basis? (or does it have the tendancy to run out quickly)? Is Allagash House beer a staple or "go to" session type beer that most people near Allagash drink frequently and in quantity because its really is as good as it sounds? I have read everything that I can about Allagash House beer from the beer reviews and also on the beer profile portion of the Allagash website. Please let me know any other useful information that you happen know(and think that I should know) about this beer; that isnt listed on the website, beeradvocate, or ratebeer. I am very interested to hear what all of you local Allagash fanboys and fangirls have to say about Allagash House beer! Cheers and thanks for any information you share!!!!
While I am not the person most local to Allagash by any means, I have bought my fair share of House Beer. I love me some Allagash. House Beer is basically White, but stripped down - no spice, no citrus and 0.5% less ABV. Clean, light, easy drinking belgian table beer. It has just a little belgain yeast quality (it tastes like Allagash), and leans towards the malty end of things, but is defnitely light. I believe they still sell it at the brewery only, and you can (must?) buy a crate as a case, and its only sold in that quantity. $20 for the wooden crate, $40 for filling it with bottles. When you go back, you bring the crate and dont have to pay for it again. It is meant to be available year round, but it has run out on occasions. I wouldnt say it is a go to, just because it is so simple and un-assuming. I go to Portland at least twice a year (its a 4hr drive), and my case will last me awhile each time. I would guess lots of people like it as a light-macro-replacement, so more of a go-to with BBQ/beach/lawnmower/summer activities. Enjoy it! Cheers!
I took a tour in January and had it with the free samples. I thought it was an excellent easy drinking beer. As said above Allagash White with out spice. Clean and tasty. I regret not buying a case when I was there.
Excellant! That seems to cover all the bases! Looks like it a no brainer to me! If Allgash has it when I visit, I will probably buy a case!
Was planning to go during a weekday to miss all the crowds, but that is good to know incase we have to go on the weekend.
The down side to visiting Allagash on a weekday is that there are three excellent upstart breweries literally across the street- Bissell Bros, Foundation and Austin St, and they are only open Th-Fr-Sa, Fr-Sa-Su, and Fr-Sa respectively. Can't say enough good things about Allagash, but it's almost a crime not to balance an established, successful micro with three talented, ambitious but still struggling nanos. And if you have the tour reservation, "crowds" are not a problem. From what I've seen it doesn't get crazy crowded. If you're booked on a tour, they'll get you a tasting flight after (no fighting to get to a bar), and in the summer with the patio open there usually space to find a seat to chill. When you've finished the flight, remember to ask if there's a fifth tap. Often the House beer is on tap as an added pour (and sometime there's something really special).
Sounds like I could make a day out of 4 breweries in portland maine that are all within walking distance!
You sure could. The other three were all really cool places. Bissell Brothers has a pinball machine, and I sat there for a solid 30mins lol. Austin St. was probably my favorite out of the three upstarts, just because of the tiny production reminds me of my own homebrewing-to-pro aspirations. Tasty beverages all around! Bissell Bros has the ultra hoppy, austin st has some interesting styles and all taste great, and foundation is 'farmhouse', with variations of saisons with a few other things. I was there Memorial Day weekend, and it still wasnt horribly crowded on the Allagash tour. They were all reserved, so we didnt get to go on it. When the tours are finished and everyone is tasting their flights, it can be a little filled up. If you feel like hanging out and there isnt a place to sit, I would do some shopping first (there is nowhere cheaper to get Allagash bottles, and they have some really cool merch), seats will open quickly since you only get one flight, so theres not too much reason to hang out for a long time (unlike a bar where you could be waiting for quite awhile for a seat). Other favorite things of mine in Portland: Novare Res. Unbelievable belgian beer bar. Period. Great Lost Bear. In between industrial way (allagash, etc) and the old port. Bier Cellar. Also on the way to the old port from industrial way, pick up all your bring-home wants here. Portland Lobster Co. for cheap, fresh, tasty lobster on the pier. nothing fancy, but has all your lobster needs Grittys. Cool brewpub with occasional live music and good food (best beer is their black fly stout) Pai Men Miyake. They call it a ramen house. I call it heaven. Ridiculous food, and always a great tap list. Get the Hamayake. Hot Suppa! for brunch. for the love of god, skip boring Bintliffs (packed, slow service esp. if your not a local, and bland food) and eat hot suppa's corned beef hash (which is well worth the wait, as opposed to the aforementioned) There's a billion things to do no matter what you are looking for. Have a blast!
Portland Lobster Co. sounds like a must stop after drinking an Allagash flight and the tour. Of the 3 other breweries mentioned Foundation sounds like something that i would enjoy the most because i love farmhouse brews. I think that would be fun!
I love this beer and go through a few cases a year, I HIGHLY recomend picking up a case if you come to Maine. Probably my favorite year-round offering from Allagash.
Just an FYI, I was at Allagash this weekend and they were out of their House beer. They said they should have some in a few weeks.
