I have stated many times that I am not the kind of person to wait in line at a brewery for a bottle release, I am too busy and there are so many good beers to try that you don’t need to wait for. That being said, I try to keep track of the non-wait-in-line beers being released by my favorite local breweries and try as many as I can when they hit the shelves. Occasionally I pass on new beers, either it’s a style I am not feeling at the moment or I am focused on buying for the blog and it doesn’t fit a story I want to tell. Many times I regret passing later when other beer enthusiasts tell me how great the beer is. Usually I’ll just go out and grab it afterwards, but limited release beers can sell out quickly, especially when they build some buzz. Mayflower Alden, a double IPA released as part of the phenomenal Cooper’s Series, was a beer I missed on it’s first release, and I regretted that quickly. Mayflower originally announced that the beer was a one-off, so it looked like I was out of luck. Fortunately Alden was so popular that Mayflower brewed and bottled another batch this winter, and I didn’t make the same mistake twice. Mayflower Alden is available for a limited time on draft and in 12 oz. bottles, grab some before it’s gone!
Mayflower Alden pours a clear hay-yellow with a solid white head. The scent is a huge hit of New World hops dominated by citrus and tropical fruit. The beer is very hop forward, notes of grapefruit, mango, orange and pine. The beer is solidly bitter, more of a West Coast style DIPA, but it doesn’t overwhelm the palate. There is enough malt to add notable balance, touches of cracker and whole grain bread. Alden is very clean and incredibly easy to drink for a DIPA with 8% ABV. The finish is crisp with some lingering hop flavor and late bitter bite. This beer is outstanding, I am really glad they brought it back and hope that it becomes a rotational release as part of the Cooper’s Series. Hoppy Boston score: 4.75/5.
Previous Mayflower Reviews:
Mayflower Standish, Mayflower Daily Ration, Mayflower Squanto, Mayflower Porter, Mayflower Scotch Ale, Mayflower Spring Hop, Mayflower Oatmeal Stout
Hoppy Boston 
