Baxter

On the Count of Three was a good beer.

 

Baxter fired their head brewer about a year ago and some people on this site sided with the brewer and have been trashing Baxter ever since. IMHO Stowaway IPA is an excellent go-to beer, and Hayride is one of the best fall seasonal sixpacks available around here.

 

Actually, Baxter fired original head brewer Michael LaCharite three years ago (Nov. 2011), but I agree there's probably some lingering resentment over what seemed to be a shifty deal by the owners (that's pure opinion on my part; I never heard a reliable version of what really happened there).

Anyway, I enjoy Stowaway but haven't been overly impressed by Baxter's other offerings (including the one-off "On the Count of 3" imperial hefeweizen). BUT, I picked up a 4-pack of the Bootleg IIPA after getting a strong recommendation and I'm quite pleased with it. It's really solid.

 

Didn't hate Bootleg, but I will not be buying it again. Way too boozy and the hops just turn into overwhelming bitterness the more you drink it.

Stowaway is solid and I remember Phantom Punch being pretty good, but haven't had it in a while.

 

So curious how this beer would be received if it was from a more popular brewery? If Lawson's released it, it would be a 97 or higher instantly.

 

I disagree, I really wanted to like it but didnt. It was a little sharp and soapy tasting, definitely different but not all that pleasant IMO.

 

Man, I guess some people rate on name but I don't see why. Lawson's makes some beers I don't care for and does not hit a home run every beer, even though Double Sunshine is my all time favorite beer. For me it is just the opposite, I so want to have someplace nearby hit one out of the park. If I could find a Lawson's, Trillium, Fiddlehead, Alchemist, etc., worthy beer close to home I would be happiest guy in NH. Just haven't found it yet.

 

Hey when you find it let me know so I can be the second happy guy in NH.

 

Ironically I think the can looks awful but the beer is quite good. Someone brought me a can in Baltimore last week and I just picked up a case on my way to Maine Friday. Stopped at Bissell Bros and tried Substance, but actually liked this better.

Its no Heady, Haze, Dinner, Congress St, or Double (Sip of) Sunshine but I think it drinks close to Mastermind or possibly even Gandhi-Bot.

 

Got it as an extra and enjoyed the hell out of it.

 

I thought Bootleg was OK but really, really sugary sweet. I'll try anything once and still have three more cans to go to change my mind, but on first impressions I'd buy Limbo over it and that wouldn't even be my first choice for the rough equivalent of a $12 six-pack.

 

What dipa have you drank that you did not find too sugary sweet?

 

What is wrong with Stoneface?

 

Nothing wrong with them, just that I personally don't put their beer up there with the ones I mentioned. Good solid IPA (thought I don't agree with their sizing/pricing on bottles) but I don't love it as much as others seem to. Again, I wanted it to be great, just isn't quite there to me.

 

Their IPA gets a world class 98 here, so at least NH has something to build on with Stoneface.

 

From The Barrel out of Londonderry has some potential. I have tried their Strictly Simcoe and Remedy thought they showed a lot of promise. They seem to focus on the hoppy offerings more too. With a few tweaks and a better bottle format (bombers now) they could do really well for a NH option.

 

And everyone tastes things a little different so that 98 rating may indeed be accurate, but I rate what I buy according to my taste buds, not the BA rating. And I don't taste 98. Again, I taste a good, solid IPA but nothing to warrant that score. And again, I do buy their beer (in growlers and kegs) and want them to do well. The better they do the more chance they make more beers and maybe I will hit one that really suits my tastes. Plus, they seem like a genuinely good group of guys who have always been there to answer any question or request I have had.

My next great hope is when David Sakolsky gets his place up and going. He was doing good things at Blue Lobster and I am excited to see him get his own gig off the ground. I hope he also continues to fill and re-label other growlers, unlike anyone else around here.

 

Tons of them, but you asked for one so Deviant Dale's.

 

could't agree more

anyone know where the new baxter double can be found in the upper valley I have no intel

 

There was some at the WRJ Co-op on Saturday, the one just over the river from Stateline sports.

Mikes Store in Hartland also has it listed on their beermenus page