Summer beer for office keg

Discussion in 'New England' started by DarrenTorpey, May 30, 2013.

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  1. DarrenTorpey

    DarrenTorpey Initiate (0) Oct 9, 2009 Massachusetts

    Friends of the beer-loving persuasion,

    We have an emergency at our office! Our keg is almost out of beer and we haven't selected the next beer to go into it. The beer that's running out is Magic Hat #9.

    Can you help me select the right beer for us?

    Here are the criteria and points of context to keep in mind:
    • Summer is just starting here, so we want something light and summery to match the warm weather
    • We're in Boston, just off the ocean
    • Only about half of us are beer enthusiasts; the other half would be a hard sell on a beer that's rather big and/or bold. A crowd pleaser would go far here. (to be clear, though, there are no "Bud Light people" here)
    • We have weekly meetups for trying other beers, so it's not like we'll be locked into just this beer for a long time
    • We're nerds; we're the tech team at our company
    Ideas? Opinions?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 DarrenTorpey, May 30, 2013
  2. SunDevilBeer

    SunDevilBeer Pooh-Bah (1,945) May 9, 2003 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Harpoon Summer or Berkshire Steel Rail. Can't go wrong with either, both are pretty easy to get.
     
    #2 SunDevilBeer, May 30, 2013
  3. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    X2 on the Harpoon Summer. I put it on my second tap for the summer months for people who are less into craft and it suits them well. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll have it on alongside DFH Festina Peche.
     
    #3 DougC123, May 30, 2013
  4. Jnorton00

    Jnorton00 Maven (1,338) Apr 13, 2007 Massachusetts

    Anything from Jacks Abby.
     
    #4 Jnorton00, May 30, 2013
    sandman3479 likes this.
  5. fistfight

    fistfight Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2006 Massachusetts

    Yep, Jack's Abby. If Leisure Time is out, I'd say that one.
     
    #5 fistfight, May 30, 2013
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  6. scubahood

    scubahood Initiate (0) Jan 29, 2004 Massachusetts

    Sierra Nevada summerfest.

    Do you you an external consultant to help with the complicated task of tapping and drinking said keg?
     
    #6 scubahood, May 30, 2013
    SunDevilBeer likes this.
  7. jbar920

    jbar920 Initiate (0) Dec 23, 2008 Massachusetts

    Huge fan of Cisco's Summer and/or Whales Tale. Get you that bit of on-island flavor into the office.
     
    #7 jbar920, May 30, 2013
  8. huuvola

    huuvola Zealot (715) Oct 29, 2005 Massachusetts

    The Jack's Abbey idea sounds great. Narragansett Summer could also be an option.
     
    #8 huuvola, May 30, 2013
  9. Auror

    Auror Pooh-Bah (1,641) Jan 1, 2010 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    1/2 bbl size or the smaller 1/6 bbl?

    In stock currently at Blanchard's Allston for 1/2 bbls that fits your criteria:
    Allagash White, Harpoon UFO White, Harpon Summer, Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, Sam Adams Summer

    There will be more craft selection in the 1/6 bbl size generally.
     
    #9 Auror, May 30, 2013
  10. Beerista

    Beerista Initiate (0) Sep 11, 2012 Massachusetts

    Harpoon Summer is pretty fair, and the price is right.

    Whatever you get, taste it first.
     
    #10 Beerista, May 30, 2013
  11. DarrenTorpey

    DarrenTorpey Initiate (0) Oct 9, 2009 Massachusetts

    Thanks for the responses so far, everyone!

    I'm familiar with almost all of these beers, but I'm wondering if you have experience with introducing them to a larger somewhat more heterogeneous group like this. By the way, there are about 30 of us; I forgot to mention that up front.

    I definitely will avoid things that are too hoppy for a broad range of palates.
     
    #11 DarrenTorpey, May 30, 2013
  12. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    Like I said, I use Harpoon Summer on one tap as an option for the BMC drinkers at my house. It is crafty enough for me and they like it. It is solid. Everyone wins. You will never make 30 people happy by the way.
     
    #12 DougC123, May 30, 2013
  13. jbertsch

    jbertsch Pooh-Bah (2,874) Dec 14, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    More importantly, where do you work so I can apply there.
     
    #13 jbertsch, May 30, 2013
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  14. Auror

    Auror Pooh-Bah (1,641) Jan 1, 2010 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Is budget a concern?
     
    #14 Auror, May 30, 2013
  15. Number45forever

    Number45forever Initiate (0) Jan 6, 2012 Vermont

    Seconded. I can't even imagine a keg in our small office (15 employees). Everyone here is mind-numbingly dull, we could use a beer or two most days.
     
    #15 Number45forever, May 30, 2013
  16. DarrenTorpey

    DarrenTorpey Initiate (0) Oct 9, 2009 Massachusetts

    Budget is not a big concern, within reason.

    I have no intention of trying to please 30 people. As an amateur mixologist I've learned too much about how people's tastes (literally) differ to attempt something like that. That said, my reputation -- I am new here and already known as a beer (and tequila and Scotch and cocktails) advocate -- is on the line somewhat. ^_^
     
    #16 DarrenTorpey, May 30, 2013
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  17. CrazyJoeDavola57

    CrazyJoeDavola57 Initiate (0) Jul 6, 2010 Massachusetts

    I second Sierra Summerfest Lager. Decent beer, light (5%), good price and shouldn't be hard to acquire. Should please most nerds and not get them too silly.
     
    #17 CrazyJoeDavola57, May 30, 2013
  18. fineout

    fineout Crusader (499) Apr 23, 2010 Rhode Island

    harpoon or gansett summer, i dont like gansett summer as much as i used to but its still a good beer but it comes only in 1/2bbl and harpoon summer you can get in 1/6bbls and its a super refreshing beer, kinda koelsch style.
     
    #18 fineout, May 30, 2013
  19. Jwale73

    Jwale73 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Aug 15, 2007 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    As the other posters have mentioned - Harpoon Summer. Very accessible, easy drinking and low abv.
     
    #19 Jwale73, May 31, 2013
  20. DarrenTorpey

    DarrenTorpey Initiate (0) Oct 9, 2009 Massachusetts

    I've long been a fan of Harpoon in general, and we're right by the brewery, so Harpoon Summer wins! I told my boss (who will have the final decision) that if he chooses it I'll bring the team on a trip to tour the brewery. Surely he can't turn this offer down.

    Cross your fingers for me. :grinning:

    Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! (and feel free to continue the thread if the words "summer" and "beer" going together have got you as excited as it's made me)
     
    #20 DarrenTorpey, May 31, 2013
    Dools9 and jamvt like this.
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