Idle Hands Brewery 2021

Discussion in 'New England' started by meefmoff, Mar 3, 2021.

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  1. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Looks like this thread fell through the cracks in getting a 2021 reboot. Thought their latest email would be of interest given that this is a style that's often wished for but relatively seldom seen.

    And I'll take this opportunity to again say that their German pilsner Gretel is fantastic. Brilliantly crackery, crisp, and overflowing with flavor at 4.6% ABV.


    [​IMG]


    "And now for the beer releases!

    Tomorrow we welcome Mons Meg to the Idle Hands family. Our first ever Wee Heavy Scottish Ale. Named after the famous cannon that protects Edinburgh castle, Mons Meg is a 7.3% ABV Scotch Style Ale. It is filled with chewy caramel and toffee notes combined with flavors of deep, brown bread.
    Even though Spring is knocking on our doors here in New England, this is the perfect beer to get you through the rest of the winter."
     
    #1 meefmoff, Mar 3, 2021
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  2. kinopio

    kinopio Savant (1,037) Apr 30, 2009 Massachusetts

    Respect to breweries like Idle Hands for brewing a bunch of different styles.
     
    #2 kinopio, Mar 3, 2021
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  3. sefus12

    sefus12 Pundit (938) Sep 7, 2006 Wisconsin
    Trader

    Agree 100% on Gretel. One of the best beers I've had since moving to the Boston area a month ago. And I can't wait to try this one.
     
    #3 sefus12, Mar 3, 2021
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  4. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Yup, they satisfy with the popular and unpopular styles.

    Kettle sours and IPAs, check (even a West Coast recently that was excellent).

    And then Belgian and German styles to keep the rest of us interested.

    Hopefully they can host an outdoor "Maifest" later this year. You should definitely visit them for that.

    It's also a nice little area with some good food and craft beer less than a mile away. Faces Brewery, Mystic Station, and Hugh O'Neill's.

    Mystic Station has a kick ass set up for Christmas, and Hugh O'Neill's has lots of killer stouts when the BCBS variants release.
     
    #4 AlcahueteJ, Mar 3, 2021
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  5. Manfrombelmonty

    Manfrombelmonty Savant (1,165) Sep 12, 2010 Massachusetts

    Was just name dropping Gretel in the NE Lager thread.

    Used to live down there. One gulp of Gretel this passed weekend had me yearning for big mugs of toasty lagers in the taproom
     
    #5 Manfrombelmonty, Mar 4, 2021
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  6. Seb_aschn

    Seb_aschn Devotee (387) Nov 28, 2018 New Jersey

    Are you allowed to have beer on the premises?

    If not inside, can you take out a camping chair in the parking lot and chill/drink a lil?
     
    #6 Seb_aschn, Mar 5, 2021
  7. Sheppard

    Sheppard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,516) Mar 16, 2013 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The taproom is open. You can make reservations. They also have a patio.
     
    #7 Sheppard, Mar 5, 2021
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  8. Seb_aschn

    Seb_aschn Devotee (387) Nov 28, 2018 New Jersey

    Shit, nevermind. Wrong brewery. I was thinking of Idletyme Brewing
     
    #8 Seb_aschn, Mar 5, 2021
  9. scolby

    scolby Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2021 Massachusetts

    Got a Four Seam going right now. Really easy-to-drink New England IPA.
     
    #9 scolby, Mar 6, 2021
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  10. Dave_32

    Dave_32 Devotee (390) Apr 7, 2015 Massachusetts

    Were the barrels listed for this batch of Double Crossroader?
     
    #10 Dave_32, Mar 7, 2021
  11. infectedlobster

    infectedlobster Crusader (434) Apr 22, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    No, just "a variety of oak barrels." I tasted whiskey and some type of fortified red wine, probably among others, but I'm no expert. It's great this year.
     
    #11 infectedlobster, Mar 7, 2021
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  12. Dave_32

    Dave_32 Devotee (390) Apr 7, 2015 Massachusetts

    Was good but think maybe a little bit much with one of the barrels. Think just whiskey might have been better
     
    #12 Dave_32, Mar 7, 2021
  13. infectedlobster

    infectedlobster Crusader (434) Apr 22, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Agreed, for non-wild beers, I generally prefer bourbon barrels over everything else. But, the Double Crossroader was a nice change of pace.

    Anyone who dug Boulevard's Imperial Cask Cuvee will enjoy it.
     
    #13 infectedlobster, Mar 9, 2021
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  14. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    New batch of Gretel just dropped for anyone else interested - 3/24/21. I've become mildly obsessed with this beer and was bummed that the last batch seemed to have just about run its course.

    I've pretty much had one every day since mid February. I'm not a ticker by any means but usually I like to mix things up more than that. Would love to see them make it a regular offering.
     
    #14 meefmoff, Apr 5, 2021
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  15. j_deer

    j_deer Aspirant (261) Mar 15, 2013 Massachusetts


    Good news for you, Gretel is now a year round offering.
     
    #15 j_deer, Apr 6, 2021
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  16. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
     
    #16 meefmoff, Apr 7, 2021
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  17. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Bluma, stellar Maibock.

    7.1% on draft, 6.2% in cans?
     
    #17 AlcahueteJ, May 2, 2021
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  18. dental

    dental Maven (1,274) Apr 2, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Drank one a little while ago, the can was indeed 6.2%. I feel like it was kinda filling for the abv so it could be a misprint? Tasty brew though. Seemed very creamy and full-bodied. I notice their website listed it at 6.2% on their "what's on tap" menu. Maybe the 7.1% is for the original batch.
     
    #18 dental, May 4, 2021
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  19. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    @ctkach
     
    #19 AlcahueteJ, May 4, 2021
  20. Trull

    Trull Pooh-Bah (1,843) Dec 24, 2016 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    #20 Trull, May 26, 2021
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