The pairing of food and beer is relatively new, especially compared to classic pairings between various types of food with varietals of wine. This is starting to change with the evolution of gastropubs and the expanded popularity of craft beer as many fine dining restaurants now have well developed beer menus. One type of food that […]
Author: ryanbrawn
Night Shift Brewery and Taproom/Ever Weisse
Enjoying a beer at the new Night Shift Brewery and Tap Room Night Shift Brewing recently opened their brand new brewery and taproom in Everett, MA. New amenities include plenty of parking, a large bar with a variety of seating options, and bathrooms (which were apparently an issue at the old brewery). My lovely wife and […]
Foolproof La Ferme Urbaine Saison
When a new brewery opens they usually only have the capacity to brew a couple of year-round beers. As the brewery grows and expands production it is crucial for them to select new recipes that complement their flagship lineup. This is where seasonal and one-off beers can come in handy. A brewer can make a series […]
Firestone Walker Opal Saison
Firestone Walker Brewing Company of California is best known for their hop-forward beers. They are one of the key breweries that contributed to the explosion in popularity of the “West Coast” IPA, defined by its burst of hop aroma and aggressive bitterness. Firestone Walker makes a full series of beers beyond IPAs including Opal, a dry-hopped […]
Notch Left of the Dial IPA
Americans love their hop-forward beers! Many people who make the transition from macro-lagers to craft beers quickly gravitate toward IPAs. It should be no surprise that this style has become the most produced variety of craft beer. The popularity of the IPA, and the increase in sales resulting from a beer being labeled an IPA, has led to an […]
Two Roads Workers Comp Saison
Since the end of Prohibition it has been up to individual states to make laws regulating the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages. As a result there are different laws in every state, and most of the sales go through large distributors that act as middle men between the breweries and bars/beer stores. I […]
Allagash Saison
I have learned a lot about the saison style by sampling many of the local versions over the last few months. The diversity of flavor profiles and ingredients used in saisons is remarkable, it’s reinforced my love of the style. I think the blank canvas of the style allows for unmatched creativity, which is probably […]
Sour Beer Starter: Cuvee des Jacobins Rogue
I continued my journey towards discovering sour beers with Cuvee des Jacobins Rogue, a Flemish Red Ale brewed by Brouwerij Bockor NV in Belgium. Flemish red ales are typically fermented in oak barrels intentionally contaminated with Lactobacillus, which produces lactic acid during fermentation. This lactic acid give the beer its sour flavor. Belgian red malts […]
Night Shift Grove
When it comes to beer styles I try to be an equal opportunity consumer, but I definitely gravitate towards some and shy away from others. One style that I typically avoid is fruit flavored beers as too many use an overpowering amount of fruit to mask the flavor of the beer. The exception I tend to make […]
Beer Bar Review: Sunset Grill and Tap, Allston
Craft beer has dramatically changed the bar scene in Boston. New bars that cater to craft beer fans are popping up in every neighborhood and feature diverse selections of local brews and hard to find national favorites. It hasn’t always been this way. When I first moved to Boston (over 10 years ago now, and […]
Hoppy Boston 