At one point in my life I really wanted to be a sports writer. I have always loved professional sports, and while my dreams of playing in the NBA flamed out when I got cut from the middle school basketball team in 7th and 8th grade, I thought it would be awesome to cover the local teams for the newspaper or radio. As I grew up my career went in another direction (probably just as well considering the state of media right now), but my passion for Boston sports remained strong. When I was considering starting a blog to get back into writing so I could eventually start a novel (still in the planning stages 7.5 years later), I briefly considered a blog about local sports. I decided to write about beer instead, mostly because there were tons of Boston based sports blogs but relatively few that covered the local beer scene. Despite my sportswriter dreams going unrealized I am still a big fan of all 4 major Boston area pro sports teams (sorry Revolution, soccer just isn’t my thing). The Celtics are especially high on my interest right now, they have a talented and fun team led by young stars who keep getting better (even though the last couple weeks have been rough). It’s been much easier to get excited about the Celtics and the talented Bruins team than the cry-ppor and decide to tank Red Sox or the Brady-less Patriots. Many of the local teams are developing strong ties to the local beer scene now, including the partnership between the Celtics and Jack’s Abby. This partnership makes a lot of sense with Jack’s Abby opening a beer hall in North Station, and has led to the development of Pride and Parquet, the official craft beer of the Boston Celtics. Jack’s Abby released several test batches before settling on the final recipe for this hoppy lager, which is available now on draft and in 16 oz cans
Jack’s Abby Pride and Parquet pours clear bright yellow with a solid white head. The aroma is a mixture of floral and citrus hops. The hops also lead the flavor, well-represented but not IPA-level, notes of cut grass, cantaloupe, and lemon along with just a little bitter bite. A pale malt backbone adds balance along with hints of biscuits and fresh baked rolls. Pride and Parquet is light and easy-drinking, at 5.7% ABV it won’t knock you out before halftime. The finish is crisp and clean with a little residual hop flavor. Overall this is a tasty hoppy lager, the focus is clearly on hitting the right balance between flavor and drinkability, the kind of beer you can enjoy while cheering the team through a tough game (from your couch, at least for now). I look forward to drinking a few of these at the Garden in the somewhat near future! Hoppy Boston score: 4.25/5.
Previous Jack’s Abby Reviews:
Jack’s Abby Dry-Hopped Post Shift, Jack’s Abby Galaxy Brau, Jack’s Abby Private Rye, Jack’s Abby Cordon Rogue Framinghammer, Jack’s Abby Sunny Ridge Pilsner, Jack’s Abby House Lager, Jack’s Abby Framinghammer, Jack’s Abby trIPL, Jack’s Abby/Otter Creek Joint Custody, BREWERY OVERVIEW, Jack’s Abby Maibock Hurts Like Helles, Jack’s Abby Hoponius Union, Jack’s Abby Barrel-Aged Framinghammer, Jack’s Abby Bride Maker, Jack’s Abby Brewery/Hopstitution BAM, Jack’s Abby Copper Legend, Jack’s Abby Session Rye IPL, Jack’s Abby Mass Rising, Jack’s Abby/Evil Twin Jack’s Evil Brew, Jack’s Abby Wet Hop Lager, Jack’s Abby Pro-Am Pilsner
Hoppy Boston 
