In the increasingly crowded craft beer market it is important for a brewery to do things that are unique and innovative to distinguish itself from the competition. Element Brewing Company of Miller’s Falls, MA has found a few ways to stand out to consumers. One way is their packaging. All of their beers are distributed in 750 […]
Author: ryanbrawn
Summer Beers: Slumbrew Island Day and Sebago Simmer Down
Although I have been drinking a lot of craft pilsners during these warm summer days, I also love light-bodied hoppy beers when it’s hot and humid. In particular, the bright and fruity flavors of American style hops are a perfect complement to a summer BBQ. A couple summer beers I tried recently fit this description. They are light and drinkable, but feature […]
I don’t wait in line for beer.
A couple weeks ago Maine Beer Company released their limited edition double IPA, Dinner, at their brewery in Freeport. The brewery opened at noon, and according to multiple sources people started to line up at the door before 8 AM in anticipation of this release. On a Thursday. I love Maine Beer Company’s beers. I […]
Long Trail Limbo IPA
The ever evolving tastes of American craft beer consumers presents a challenge for older breweries who need to balance brewing the beer that made them popular with making new and exciting brews. This is especially tough with IPA, the most popular type of craft beer but also a style that has evolved significantly over the years. […]
Pilsners: Smuttynose Vunderbar and Cambridge Brewing Remain in Light
I’ve been drinking a ton of pilsner lately since it is the perfect beer for the summer. There are a bunch of good to great craft pilsners out on shelves now. Some are year-round beers while others are summer seasonals. I thought I’d share a few more good ones in a quick and dirty double review. […]
Mystic Hazy Jane Saison
Craft breweries seem to love making wheat beers in the summertime. The light and refreshing ales made with wheat tend to complement the warm weather. Wheat beers also work well with added fruit flavors, so many are brewed with lemon, orange, blueberry or other types of fruit. Mystic Brewery of Chelsea, MA makes a wheat beer as their summer seasonal, […]
Hoppy Boston on Gourmandatory
Exciting news! This month will see the launch of Gourmandatory.com, a new website reporting the latest and greatest in restaurants, food and drinks. Gourmandatory will have a main page as well as location-specific pages starting with Boston, New York and Maine. As part of this new venture Hoppy Boston will be writing a craft beer column […]
Maine Beer Co. Lunch
Until recently there were very few stores that specialized in beer. In Maine, where I grew up and went to school, they sold beer at every local grocery store and convenience store. Some places took pride in offering a good variety of choices that skewed towards local selections, but most were just taking advantage of […]
Brewmaster Jack Hop Essence:Huell Melon
I’m probably never going to own a brewery. This is a statement of fact, not of regret. I have an awesome career that has nothing to do with the beer industry. Plus, I brew, drink and write about beer for fun. Sometimes when a hobby becomes a job it loses some of its luster. Still, I […]
Troegs Sunshine Pils
When you mention the town of Hershey, PA most people immediately think of chocolate (and for good reason). While the town is a destination for chocoholics, it has also become an important stop for craft beer fans as the relatively new home of Troegs Brewing Company. Troegs was established in 1997 by brothers Chris and John […]
Hoppy Boston 