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Beer of the Week: Hudson Valley Oatmeal Silhouette: Blueberry

3/5/2021

Pete
I haven't had more than 1 of a beer in months - great variety. The best this week is my first from this brewery: Hudson Valley Oatmeal Silhouette: Blueberry
Description: The sour IPA portion of this sounds like it'd be weird with the oats, blueberry, and maple, but it works. Starts tart with lots of carbonation and finishes like a blueberry pancake.
What you should know: This brewery came highly recommended, and it didn't disappoint. Looking forward to the other one I got from them.
Recommendations: Find yourself something light and refreshing this weekend. Pretend it's warm.

Beer of the Week: Second Wind S'mores Blackout

2/26/2021

Pete
Like last week, I'm working my way through the case of singles that's mostly IPA's. Once again, the best was not an IPA. This time, it's a stout: Second Wind S'mores Blackout
Description: All the flavors of a s'more where the marshmallow was left on the fire a little bit longer than normal. That gives it a little extra roasty smokiness that I love, but many others don't.
What you should know: This is the 2nd beer from this brewery I've featured on BOTW. The first one was an IPA. The brewery has been open almost 3 years, but just started packaging recently (at least, just started sending it as far up north as Boston). Once things start returning back to normal, a trip to this brewery is high on my list of things to do.
Recommendations: Stout season is ending. Get them while you can.

Beer of the Week: Bluejacket Seeing Sounds

2/19/2021

Pete
Working my way through the case of singles. Most of them are IPA's, but the best I had this week was a sour: Bluejacket Seeing Sounds
Description: Slightly tart tangerine flavor along with a very subtle hint of vanilla, giving it a fruit smoothie-like flavor.
What you should know: This is the 2nd sour I've had from Bluejacket, and they've both been incredible.
Recommendations: If you can get your hands on a sour from Bluejacket, please do. They're pretty new to the distribution game (based in DC). The only non-sour beer I had from them (a stout) was not very good, so I can't vouch for non-sours.

Beer of the Week: Equilibrium Little Adjunct Integration

2/12/2021

Pete
After last week's Tree House trip, I went to my favorite store to get a case of singles. Needless to say, I had a lot of good options. The best: Equilibrium Little Adjunct Integration
Description: A lot going on in the making of this beer. Tons of different hops, and aged on a whole bunch of stuff. The end result is an orange creamsicle in liquid form.
What you should know: I hadn't had any beers from this brewery in awhile. They make a lot of experimental stuff, and it can be real hit or miss. This was a hit.
Recommendations: Don't be afraid to try something different. You might not like it, but you might find a new favorite.

Beer of the Week: Tree House Persist

2/5/2021

Pete
I took a trip to Tree House. It's been a good week. The best: Tree House Persist
Description: About as good as a stout gets. Maple, chocolate, bourbon, and vanilla come together differently in each sip to lead to a deliciously decadent yet dangerously drinkable beer.
What you should know: Tree House dominates. This is the 12th beer from them with a perfect rating (more than 1/5 of the total beers with perfect ratings).
Recommendations: Go with an old favorite this weekend. Whether it's a favorite beer, or just a new beer from a favorite brewery.

Beer of the Week: The Brewing Projekt Midnight Cow Cow

1/29/2021

Pete
Finally got caught up on adding all of the 50 singles I bought just before the holidays. It was an incredible run, and there were a lot of incredible beers. The best of this bunch: The Brewing Projekt Midnight Cow Cow
Description: An adult dessert. Chocolate and coffee. Sweet and bitter. Really hard to argue the balance struck with this one.
What you should know: I had never heard of this Wisconsin brewery until I had this beer. I'll be back for more.
Recommendations: Drink something dark this weekend. It's cold out there, and dark beers warm the soul.

Beer of the Week: Toppling Goliath Dolphin Sparkles

1/22/2021

Pete
I'm almost caught up on adding holiday beers. The best: Toppling Goliath Dolphin Sparkles
Description: A mix between east and west coast IPA's. Tons of citrus up front, and a little bit of distinct malty bitterness in the finish. It's quite literally halfway between east and west coast, which makes sense as that's where the brewery is.
What you should know: Toppling Goliath is pretty widely available, so you should be able to find this if it's the right time of year.
Recommendations: Even if you can't find this specific beer, go for a Toppling Goliath in the near future. Pseudo Sue never hurt anyone.

Beer of the Week: Second Wind C.R.E.A.M. Vol. 2

1/15/2021

Pete
I drank a lot over the holidays, and I'm still working on adding everything I drank. I added 20 this week, with some great stuff, and the best of the bunch was: Second Wind C.R.E.A.M. Vol. 2
Description: A lot going on with this beer that has a few hop varieties you don't see every day. The aroma is big time citrus. The flavor matches, but leans towards lemon-y, which is pretty unique in the IPA world. There's also some peppery-ness to it that is really nice.
What you should know: This is only my 2nd beer from this brewery, and I have very high hopes for future options.
Recommendations: If you find their stuff in cans, I highly suggest getting some. If you're headed to Cape Cod, go ahead and take a stop at Second Wind on the way and/or way back. I'll be doing so next time I head that way.

Beer of the Week: Finback Out to Lunch

1/8/2021

Pete
I'm working on a backlog of great beers still. So many awesome options. The best of this week's batch: Finback Out to Lunch
Description: Extremely intense citrus flavor. Just a big time juice bomb, which is extremely impressive given that this is a single IPA.
What you should know: This beer has Citra hops and Citra cryo hops. The cryo for sure gives it its extra citrus oomph.
Recommendations: If you come across a beer that uses cryo hops, give it a go. The hop flavor is going to be intense. Depending on the hop, that can be good or bad (I learned soon after this that Mosaic cryo is too much Mosaic).

Beer of the Week: Marlowe Positive Outcomes

1/1/2021

Pete
Ton of great beers in the last week of the year. The best was from a brewery I'd never heard of before: Marlowe Positive Outcomes
Description: This beer has a distinct dry peppery flavor and an aroma that matches. The Nelson hops are highlighted here, and there's just enough Citra in there to keep it balanced. An incredible amount of flavor for a beer with this low of an alcohol content.
What you should know: This brewery is focused on low alcohol beers apparently, and they're very new. So new that I couldn't find a website, and their Instagram claims they're a 'brewery in progress'.
Recommendations: If you come across this stuff, give it a go. With the low alcohol content, it's a great beer to have during the day without sacrificing flavor.