Return

Hey folks!  It's been quite awhile, right?  Even though this blog has been silent, I've kept up my exploration of local beers as well as taking the time to enjoy some older favorites.  While my Facebook and Twitter pages have been dormant for the most part, my Instagram account has been relatively active.  I could just send you over to Instagram, but I will post some of the highlights from the past few months here for (hopefully) your enjoyment!

First off, I'm tending to buy six packs (and sometimes four packs) more often these days.  For years, as a general rule, I would only buy single bomber bottles or "mix-a-six" pack at a liquor store that allows it.  A lot of these were special release beers, destined to never be brewed again.  Now, I've grown somewhat tired of the fleeting experience of having a single bottle of beer.  When I have a beer I enjoy, I want to enjoy it over several rounds or several days.

Of course, I don't only buy six-packs these days.  I just buy a whole lot more of them.  Single beer releases are sprinkled in occasionally, like when local brewer Flounder Brewing released a bourbon barrel aged version of their Genevieve's IPA, I knew I had to pick up a bottle (FOMO, right?).  Or when a beer on draft piques my interest, I will still get a growler (usually 32 oz.) of it.

I mentioned drinking some older favorites.  I find myself returning to these old favorites, and distancing myself somewhat from beers that are new and trendy.  Trillium, Treehouse, Veil?  I'm sure they're great, but I've never had them and don't feel like I'm missing out.

So here's a snapshot of what I've been drinking:

Pilsner Urquell:  the quintessential Czech-style pilsner.  In college, I would occasionally drink a skunky and (what I thought was) unremarkable Pilsner Urquell.  Little did I know the skunk flavor and smell was from the sunlight getting through the clear, green bottle .  Now, Pilsner Urquell is sold in amber bottles that blocks a lot of the bad sunlight, and shipped cold to keep it tasting as fresh as possible (#NotSponsored).

• Even though I've been drinking Pilster Urquell, I've also been thoroughly enjoying Neshaminy Creek Trauger Pilsner (German style) and Sierra Nevada Summerfest (Czech style).  

Victory HopDevil:  While not quite as historical as Pilsner Urquell, I was glad to be picking up some Victory HopDevil again .  According to Victory's website, HopDevil IPA does date back to 1996, and was part of their initial lineup along with Festbier and Brandywine Valley Lager.  Victory's beer, along with beers from Troegs, were the breweries that introduced me to the world of hoppy, bitter beers. Tasting this one again surely hit the spot.

• Some other beers I've been revisiting are Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Brooklyn Sorachi Ace, and Hoegaarden Blanche.

Troon Brewing, A More Perfect Union:  I've also made time to try some new beers.  For Father's Day, I took a short trip down to Troon Brewing in Hopewell, NJ.  Troon is located on the grounds of Double Brook Farm very close to Main Street.  The small brewery currently only offers growlers to go, but you can order pints of their beer at the restaurant that is also on site, the Brick Farm Tavern.  On this visit, Troon only had a single beer available, A More Perfect Union.  This IPA was brewed with lactose, Huell Melon hops, and conditioned on Palo Santo wood.  Pineapple and coconut were the predominant flavors for me, and was only slightly bitter.  Pretty tasty, for sure.

• Some other local beers I've been enjoying:  Flounder Hefeweizen and Xperimental Saison 03 and the Referend Bier Blendery's Berliner Messe - Gloria (Sommer).

Troon Brewing:  A More Perfect Union

Pilsner Urquell

Victory HopDevil IPA

That's all for now!  I look forward to diving into this blog more in the near future!