Notch Brewing (2018)

Visited Notch yesterday and really enjoyed it. Beer, sausage and hot pretzel. You really don't need more than that.

 

When does CT get some action?

 

Who is selling 12s of IJ? Would love to find em around

 

Vinnin in Swampscott's had them in steady supply since Notch started canning Infinite Jest.

 

Near me : Redstone in Stoneham & Wegmans Burlington.

 

I'll email them and see if anything downtown or in the SS has em. Thanks

 

If you're ever in Brighton, Martignetti's has them as well.

 

Made it up there yesterday and was really impressed. I've always liked Notch just fine but since their main canned offerings (Session IPA and Czech Pils) aren't my favorite styles I was never really uber excited about them. But I absolutely loved the Zwickel, the British Mild, and the Vincent (can't remember exactly what style that was).

The Zwickel and the Vincent had the creamiest, softest head I think I've ever encountered and everything I had was just so damn drinkable while still being full bodied and flavored. I really wish the Mild was canned - that would instantly be my goto beer with food.

 

Thanks for the good words! Vincent is a Brit Dark Mild. We also have on the Brit Pale Mild which you noted. Cheers!

 

Ah, thanks for clearing that up. I had the two milds mixed up. It was the Pale Mild and the Zwickel that had the heavenly heads, and the dark mild that I wanted most in the can.

Can't wait for the winter when driving into Salem Center won't be such a shitshow

 

http://nerax.org/wp_nerax/nerax-north/

Also great news, NERAX North will be in Salem this year. I'm totally going Saturday afternoon then heading to Notch. Long day of drinking, but that's ok when they're not all double IPAs and barrel-aged stouts...

 

Notch pils man! A bar by me stocks this really regularly and I always have this when I'm there. Super true to the style, even turned my friends onto it. My friends aren't craft guys like I am but they loved that beer. Can't speak better of this beer myself though.

OP thanks for the thread, will certainly have to stop by the brewery and try more of their stuff.

 

Well then, that got out of hand in a hurry...I personally like to drink my beers but to each their own.

Seriously though, I love the saison style but haven't found a constant one to enjoy except for Allagash and that is bottled. From the sounds of it I need to grab some of this post haste.

 

If find the Notch saison the be it's own unique beast and very much context-dependent. It's a light and refreshing and feels very much like its abv, and I pick up some of the aromas and "round" flavors you get from a wheaty-yeasty beer (as opposed to the crispness you get in some other American saisons). I remember drinking the first one, after reading all the accolades, and after the first swig thinking "meh, lots was sacrificed to get the abv down." But then you get to the bottom of the glass in about 5 minutes and realize you're craving more. If you're at a bar or having a weeknight meal and you're only having one beer, I'd pass on it, but if you can make the time to have several it's a really awesome choice.

Fwiw, my favorite American saison is probably Mystic's Renaud.

 

So I went to Notch on Sunday. They had "Raw Power IPA" on. I'm going to be honest (and not sure why I thought this), but I didn't think they'd ever make a "hazy" IPA. But I'll be damned...



It was also delicious. One of the better session strength IPAs I've had. Tons of flavor, and in true Notch fashion, I could drink it all day.

 

2 thoughts, when will the black lager see distro? And ever thought about doing a mix 12 pack?

 

The black lager was in cans last year. I know, because I filled a huge mug up with two or three of them. Might be a seasonal beer?

And a mix 12 of Notch is a GREAT idea. It would finally be a mix pack in which I don't have to think, "Crap, there's like two 7% beers in here, two 9% beers, two 8% beers...etc. and one beer that is ~4.5-5% ABV..."

 

Cerne was available in cans November->March last year.

 

Black Lager (Cerne Pivo) hits distro again next week (6 packs and draft). Just brewed a similar lager, Tmavy, which is slightly lighter in color and will be tap room only when it hits in November. No mix 12 packs on the horizon, but it's something we are looking at. Cheers!

 

In past, you said you were looking at NH distro also. Any info on that possibility?