Beer

[HuskyHawk]

This mad me think about the best brewery in each New England state. #1 and #2. With those I know.

MA: Treehouse, Trilliium
VT: Hill Farmstead, Lawton’s
RI: Tilted Barn, Long Live Beerworks
CT: Kent?
ME: Bissel Bros? Maine?
NH: ?

 

[Dove]

CT = Fox Farm and Tox Brewing


Of course, I haven't been to them all. But this is my bold proclamation. Counterweight is a very close behind, probly.

 

[storrsroars]

Sticking to traditional faves next couple of weeks. New beer retailer opened close to my house, checked 'em out today. They had one of my old reliables, Dortmunder Gold (Great Lakes) at a mere $9, that's $1-$3 less than everywhere else, so they'll have a regular customer. Also went opposite end of spectrum with a 4-pack of Mr. Automatic (Brew Gentlemen), a very classic and extremely satisfying English porter. I've still got one hazy left in the fridge, and it'll have it's time, but as I've been put off by some very strange beers I really haven't liked recently, just staying in my lane for a bit.

 

[AreBee1969]

I see that two roads opened Area Two for experimental brewing and distilling on their campus.

Area Two Experimental Brewing Co - Two Roads Brewing

Area Two Experimental Brewing is the Innovation Hub for Two Roads Brewing Company situated on a 10-acre campus in Stratford, CT.

tworoadsbrewing.com

It looks like an amazing place, but I've never been a fan of their beers. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[AreBee1969]

CT = Fox Farm and Tox Brewing


Of course, I haven't been to them all. But this is my bold proclamation. Counterweight is a very close behind, probly.

What Dove said.

Full disclosure, one of the co-owners of Tox is a friend, but I still think their beer is second to none in this state for variety and quality. I think they stand up well to some of their cousins north of the border.

Agree with you on Fox Farm and Counterweight being right there. I'm also a big fan of Little House in Chester too.

 

[karstenkibbe]

What Dove said.

Full disclosure, one of the co-owners of Tox is a friend, but I still think their beer is second to none in this state for variety and quality. I think they stand up well to some of their cousins north of the border.

Agree with you on Fox Farm and Counterweight being right there. I'm also a big fan of Little House in Chester too.

Tox brews some good stuff. For me, no brewery in CT comes close to Fox Farm for mastery of so many different styles. Numbers two and three for me are Kent Falls and Counterweight. For those who like lagers, OEC has to enter the conversation.

 

[karstenkibbe]

This mad me think about the best brewery in each New England state. #1 and #2. With those I know.

MA: Treehouse, Trilliium
VT: Hill Farmstead, Lawton’s
RI: Tilted Barn, Long Live Beerworks
CT: Kent?
ME: Bissel Bros? Maine?
NH: ?

View attachment 89985

Dying to try Little Willow from your backyard. I reached out to the owner via Instagram DM. He’s been trying to secure distro in CT but no one wants to pick him up right now. I may have to do a little Marlowe - Little Willow beer mail trade with you next month!

 

[Patman]

This mad me think about the best brewery in each New England state. #1 and #2. With those I know.

MA: Treehouse, Trilliium
VT: Hill Farmstead, Lawton’s
RI: Tilted Barn, Long Live Beerworks
CT: Kent?
ME: Bissel Bros? Maine?
NH: ?

only thing that tells me is that IPA is a cult and not a drink

edit: I don't bounce in here that much as I'm in washington dc. but I am keeping notes for the next trip home to massachusetts. Don't really want to head out to new london but I looked at fox farm and tox's menus. we shall see. I keep getting lightly screwed concerning the holidays.

 

[HuskyHawk]

only thing that tells me is that IPA is a cult and not a drink

edit: I don't bounce in here that much as I'm in washington dc. but I am keeping notes for the next trip home to massachusetts. Don't really want to head out to new london but I looked at fox farm and tox's menus. we shall see. I keep getting lightly screwed concerning the holidays.

Not really. Treehouse is the best brewer in MA even excluding IPAs. The traditional styles are fantastic. Old Man, Bear, lots of examples. Same is true of Hill Farmstead and Lawsons. Treehouse is not strong on sours, or farmhouse styles, but Trillium is and also makes great stouts. This is about half of what Treehouse has at the Classic draft bar today

 

[Dove]

Tox brews some good stuff. For me, no brewery in CT comes close to Fox Farm for mastery of so many different styles. Numbers two and three for me are Kent Falls and Counterweight. For those who like lagers, OEC has to enter the conversation.

I just ordered 2 4 packs of Tox' BellaDonna, a stout with cocoa nibs and toasted coconut. Vaniller, too. Yep.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I just ordered 2 4 packs of Tox' BellaDonna, a stout with cocoa nibs and toasted coconut. Vaniller, too. Yep.

That won’t suck.

 

[Patman]

Not really. Treehouse is the best brewer in MA even excluding IPAs. The traditional styles are fantastic. Old Man, Bear, lots of examples. Same is true of Hill Farmstead and Lawsons. Treehouse is not strong on sours, or farmhouse styles, but Trillium is and also makes great stouts. This is about half of what Treehouse has at the Classic draft bar today

View attachment 90050

Ok. Taken back. I'm more familiar with trillium from more like 8 years back when they were a farmhouse/ipa specialist. I also think that Jack's Abby belongs in the discussion. I also know that trillium was in trouble for a couple of different things. I think treehouse deserves its respect for being top of class. I talked to one of their main guys and he still didn't talk me into the style but so it goes.

I've just seen far too many ipa and heavy stout specialists get way too much credit.

Gosh things would be easier if I were up there. I have to drive at least 4 hours to get anywhere new and notable.

I'm starting to pick off parts of North Carolina on longer weekends. Did raleigh durham. Greensboro Winston Salem is on my radar. Charlotte's on the radar. Asheville is the radar but that's a much longer drive. Pittsburgh... doesn't do it for me yet as a solid weekend idea. Philly I've picked through time to time.

 

[Dove]

Ok. Taken back. I'm more familiar with trillium from more like 8 years back when they were a farmhouse/ipa specialist. I also think that Jack's Abby belongs in the discussion. I also know that trillium was in trouble for a couple of different things

Treehouse had troubles regarding some kind of discharge into either the public sewers, or a watercourse.

 

[AreBee1969]

I just ordered 2 4 packs of Tox' BellaDonna, a stout with cocoa nibs and toasted coconut. Vaniller, too. Yep.

Have you had their Black Widow imperial stout? It may be my favorite of all their beers.

 

[AreBee1969]

This one was lovely.

 

[storrsroars]

That won’t suck.

Says you. There comes a point where too much is simply too much. I found that point earlier this year. Wife and I both tasted first can and tossed it. Gave the other three to my gutter guy.

And really, fork coconut in anything that's not a curry or pina colada.

 

[Dove]

Have you had their Black Widow imperial stout? It may be my favorite of all their beers.

Not sure, maybe as a taster. The stout names confuse me as to which ones I have had.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Dying to try Little Willow from your backyard. I reached out to the owner via Instagram DM. He’s been trying to secure distro in CT but no one wants to pick him up right now. I may have to do a little Marlowe - Little Willow beer mail trade with you next month!

I'm awash in it lately. Even a local convenience store had some. It's all been good.

 

[HooperScooper]

Treehouse had troubles regarding some kind of discharge into either the public sewers, or a watercourse.

Tree House Brewing to agree to pollution controls

CHARLTON – The town Water & Sewer Commission and Tree House Brewing Co. are on the verge of entering a 20-year agreement that would assess surcharges if the company on Route 20 discharges certain pol…

www.telegram.com

@Patman, what were the troubles at Trillium? Are you thinking of the issue about how they underpaid their employees? That's the only negative thing I'm aware of.

Trillium Brewing Co. faces backlash for its labor practices

Right before Thanksgiving, Trillium Brewing Co. found itself in hot water sparked by an anonymous accusation. On Tuesday evening, Beer Advocate lit up with a scathing post from an unnamed user who […]

www.boston.com

 

[Patman]

Tree House Brewing to agree to pollution controls

CHARLTON – The town Water & Sewer Commission and Tree House Brewing Co. are on the verge of entering a 20-year agreement that would assess surcharges if the company on Route 20 discharges certain pol…

www.telegram.com

@Patman, what were the troubles at Trillium? Are you thinking of the issue about how they underpaid their employees? That's the only negative thing I'm aware of.

Trillium Brewing Co. faces backlash for its labor practices

Right before Thanksgiving, Trillium Brewing Co. found itself in hot water sparked by an anonymous accusation. On Tuesday evening, Beer Advocate lit up with a scathing post from an unnamed user who […]

www.boston.com

I think there was a second issue beyond that but I forget what it was. Might have been a quality issue or something.

I had forgotten about the Treehouse issue.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Bright simcoe/Amarillo is tasting fine. Cost less and tastes way better than what I pick up at the packy.

 

[HuskyHawk]

A friend brought me 4 Saco River beers. All have been good. This was a very traditional somewhat heavy DIPA.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Since people tire of the IPAs, and it’s like a Louisiana swamp out here, I went with crisp and dry. Hoped this would be like a better Peroni and that’s exactly what it is. No weird Czech hop lingering bitterness.

 

[Patman]

I wont post my local because I'm "too close" to them, 2bbl operation... they just screwed the pooch with one of their beers and its hard to make them own up to it. That being said, I've been living off of their mexican lager. More and more every day, tasty lagers win, IMO. But that's me and my personality.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Back with an IPA. Gave this a 5. Swishium collab with Bissell Bros. Maybe it’s this flawless day today (finally) but it hit me just right.