Any fellow BA's go to the grand opening for Back East Brewing in Bloomfield CT today? I was there from 12-2 today, thought it was a great event and very well attended. They had almost 1,300 show up. It was very cool to see this kind of turnout for a new local brewer. I thought their beers were really good and I purchased a bottle of their imperial stout. Here's to hoping that they are successful here in CT.
A friend of mine came to visit from CT and surprised me with a bottle of the imperial stout signed by the brewers. I haven't cracked it open yet, how is it?
I took out some reviews but does anybody have any opinions on the growlers they're selling. Or samples you had at the brewery.
I was in Connecticut this weekend, and tried both the Back East Ale (amber) at Eli Cannon's and the Misty Mountain IPA at Plan B. I thought they were both good takes on the style--the Back East Ale seemed like a very good introduction to craft beer, but the Misty Mountain IPA stood out more. I like the style more, and the Misty Mountain was a well-balanced take on an IPA. Back East describes the IPA as an assertively hopped, American-style IPA, but I'd say it was even more appropriately a very solid take on a pleasantly hoppy but well-balanced, East Coast IPA. In any event, I'm looking forward to trying more stuff from these guys.
Misty Mountain was a go to IPA for me for awhile. I think it is still decent but I would describe it as a second generation IPA - better than the IPA 's of 10 years ago I would drink like Harpoon, Paper City's Indian IPA, ect but not close to the Third Generation IPA's being put out by Treehouse and others..... I do like the one - off Rakautra wheat IPA they released pre Christmas.
Their IPAs are just too inconstant for me. I've had Palate Mallet that rivaled Captains Daughter and Misty Mountain that rivaled Sea Hag. But I've also had malt bomb messes of both of those.
So true in the inconsistency with their IPAs. I remember having Palate Mallet when it first came out and it was amazing. Had it half a year later and it was exactly as described above, a malt mess. Their Summer Ale is amazing.
The first time I had Palate Mallet (on tap) it was one of the best DIPA's i've had and I have since tried it at least 4 more times since (cans and on tap) and it was always a malt bomb. Back East's Porter and Golden Ale are both pretty good as well.
Their Summer Ale was probably my biggest surprise in local craft for 2015. Absolutely loved it. It's great nose makes it extra frustrating that Palate Mallet hasn't been worth a buy in over a year.
Went there for first time this week. Got a sample.of the Wakatu single hop pale which is why I went there. It was okay. They served it WAY TOO COLD. ... Cracked a can later on at the correct temp and it was actually awesome! I probably would have bought two of three sixer if they served the sample correctly.
Interesting comments on the Summer Ale; I enjoyed it in 2014 but thought this year was bland, no pronounced citra or galaxy characteristics. Only had Misty when they first opened, was too piney for my taste. Porter is the only offering I would buy/order at this time.
I tried last night a tart cherry Berliner weisse from BE that was incredible. This brewer is back on my radar in a big way now.
New head brewer started in September. Seems like the one - off small batch beers are coming out pretty well. Maybe the consistency will return to Misty Mountain and Palate Mallet. On my next trip I will definitely get some of the porter which I have not had in a while.
Rakautra is my favorite beer they have brewed. A guy at work gave me a can of it to try and thought it was damn good! Didn't get a chance to try the tart cherry but most my friends who got to try it said it was very good as well. I believe they have a new head brewer and if these beers are a sign of things to come they have my attention again as well! Keep it up guys!
Actually just went to Back East today and tried tasting of all beers. Tried there new Wakatu pale ale and was very impressed. Not sure if this is a one-off but would like to see more of. Palate Mallet was better than the last time.
