Author. Educator. Musician.
No world class beer comes without a storied journey. Whether it’s a Pliny the Elder being smuggled to the east coast in a suitcase, a trip to the heart of Vermont’s North East Kingdom for a taste of Hill Farmstead Abner, or a well-packaged six-pack of Zombie Dust arriving in the mail, getting your mitts …
Continue reading “Lawson’s Double Sunshine IPA Completes the Holy Trinity of Vermont Beers”
I spot it in the cooler next to the other Lagunitas beers. I’ve heard of this seasonal brew from the California beer company, but I’ve never tossed one down my grocery hole. I place a six pack on the counter, pay, and race home to try the legendary Lagunitas Sucks. I pry open the lid, …
Tim told me it was happening. I was hesitant to believe him. How could it be possible? How could another 18 beer companies be opening up in Maine in 2014? You all know I’m a believer in these lush times of beer opulence, but 18? 18! Tim said, “I had one. It’s great.” “Great? Like …
Continue reading “Drink Bissell Brothers The Substance (Now!)”
Can we make a pact right now? If any one of us in the US of A catches another beer drinker complaining that he can’t find a good IPA in his local beer store that we slap some sense into said beer drinker. Literally. If said beer drinker persists, can we please stare at him …
Continue reading “Wolf Among Weeds IPA Keeps the Great Hopocolypse Rolling”
‘Tis the season for family feasts, yuletide gatherings, and Christmas mayhem. What better way to celebrate the season than by imbibing in locally brewed beers from around New England? Instead of showing up with a bottle of Cabernet to this year’s Festivus party, grab a 22 oz. bomber or a growler of the brilliant beers …
Continue reading “Seven Local Beers for the Christmas Season”
For a long time, I’ve wanted to write about Rising Tide Brewing Company’s Zephyr. It’s an autonomous IPA, a true original in our beer-scape of citrusy West Coast knockoffs. It tastes more of pears than grapefruit or pine. It hits the pallet with something unique. But I have something more pressing on my mind. Something …
Continue reading “Rising Tide Brewing Company Teaches Us How to Truly Drink Responsibly”
You find yourself in Burlington, Vermont, and you don’t know why. You’re not frightened. You’re where you’re supposed to be. It’s night. You walk down Church Street and get a Bombay Grab IPA at Vermont Pub and Brewery. This is delicious, you think. After tipping the angelic woman behind the bar, you walk up St. …
Continue reading “Hill Farmstead Brewery is a Microbrew Dream”
I’ve figured it out. It came to me while I was enjoying a glass of Zombie Dust this past weekend. It all seems so clear now I feel foolish to have missed it before. Here it is: the key to making world class beer is keeping the taste notes simple and graceful. Here’s another way …
You can’t swing a growler in Maine today without hitting a new brewery crafting high quality beer. Gone are the days of swilling Shipyard and Gritty’s because you were dying to drink local beer. Maine has joined the brewing revolution with full force. Rising Tide, Maine Beer Company, Oxbow, Baxter Brewing, among others, have brought …
Continue reading “Maine’s Best Drink-Me-Everyday IPA Is An Old Friend”
Since it came to my attention two weeks ago that Heady Topper has been named the best beer in America and the best IPA in the world by some beer rating outlets, it became my unbridled mission to get my hands on a can during my Vermont trip. As a Vermont ex-pat living in Maine, …
Continue reading “Is Heady Topper the Best Beer in America, Nay, the World?”
DAVE PATTERSON 