Six is Better than One
Mix-a-Six variety packs are quickly gaining popularity across Pennsylvania, particularly in grocery stores. In southcentral Pennsylvania, Wegman's was one of the first in the area to offer the $11.99 mix-a-six, opening up the doors to try new beers without the full $6-7 investment for a full pint at the bars not offering flights or having to suffer through a full six-pack of a less than enjoyable beer.
The Giant Food Stores have a decent rotation of what they offer for new brews to try out of the beer garden. What helps in this "rotation" is the infrequency at which I check their selection - guilty. I've tried so many different ones and while they do have some real treats, I find I have to do my own rotation of venues for the true "new" experience since I've cleared Giant's newbies on numerous occasions *cue shrug emoji*
In this particular trip, I went for beers that were a bit wheatier (spellcheck is telling me this is not a word, but work with me) than what I typically drink in the summertime. Usually around this time my taste buds crave the lighter shandies, fruit beers, and cider. I'm attracted to the sweet juices like the dusty moths to the twinkly lights wrapped around the banisters of my deck.
First up: Tight Lines Ale Kölsch by Peter Straub Signature Brews. Kölsches are a lighter craft style of beer for when you want that delightful wheat flavors without all of the body. Straub brewing began to offer their Signature Brews with multiple series for each new debut. The Tight Lines Ale nailed it with its smooth, light flavor.
Second bottle: Smooth Sail Wheat Beer, an American Pale wheat. I find American Pale ales are a few degrees below traditional India Pale Ales (IPAs) but that does not equate to less flavor. As the name suggests, this was provided a smooth sail from my tongue to my gut. If you're looking to ease your way into the IPA world, this brew is a good start.
Next in line: the Odo Pilot Pilsner. Pilsners offers that yummy wheat flavor and similar enough to lagers that you'd feel like you were hanging out with its sibling instead of branching too far out of the family tree. The Pilot wasn't overly noteworthy, but not one to be overlooked - like my ukulele skills, I'd say it's middle of the road.
Rounding up the brew-dy bunch: the 1872 Pre-Prohibition Lager, part of the Signature Brews, an Amber ale. I'm not typically a fan of amber unless it's in the lab to resurrect dinosaurs or encased by silver on my finger, but this one seemed all too enticing to say "no" to. For an amber, it wasn't as overwhelming with flavor and embodiment as I expect out of my amber ales. I'd only call it a "one and done" because of personal preference as opposed to its actual quality of flavoring.
For the other two picks in the six-pack, I went for two light ciders: Strongbow Original and Strongbow Cherry Blossom. What can I say? I love me some English cider - reminds me of Sainsbury and my few short months in the Queen's Land.
Have you tried any noteworthy brews outside of your comfort zone or typical season? I'd love some suggestions on places in other areas to purchase and try new flavors!
Until next time...
The Giant Food Stores have a decent rotation of what they offer for new brews to try out of the beer garden. What helps in this "rotation" is the infrequency at which I check their selection - guilty. I've tried so many different ones and while they do have some real treats, I find I have to do my own rotation of venues for the true "new" experience since I've cleared Giant's newbies on numerous occasions *cue shrug emoji*
In this particular trip, I went for beers that were a bit wheatier (spellcheck is telling me this is not a word, but work with me) than what I typically drink in the summertime. Usually around this time my taste buds crave the lighter shandies, fruit beers, and cider. I'm attracted to the sweet juices like the dusty moths to the twinkly lights wrapped around the banisters of my deck.
First up: Tight Lines Ale Kölsch by Peter Straub Signature Brews. Kölsches are a lighter craft style of beer for when you want that delightful wheat flavors without all of the body. Straub brewing began to offer their Signature Brews with multiple series for each new debut. The Tight Lines Ale nailed it with its smooth, light flavor.
Second bottle: Smooth Sail Wheat Beer, an American Pale wheat. I find American Pale ales are a few degrees below traditional India Pale Ales (IPAs) but that does not equate to less flavor. As the name suggests, this was provided a smooth sail from my tongue to my gut. If you're looking to ease your way into the IPA world, this brew is a good start.
Next in line: the Odo Pilot Pilsner. Pilsners offers that yummy wheat flavor and similar enough to lagers that you'd feel like you were hanging out with its sibling instead of branching too far out of the family tree. The Pilot wasn't overly noteworthy, but not one to be overlooked - like my ukulele skills, I'd say it's middle of the road.
Rounding up the brew-dy bunch: the 1872 Pre-Prohibition Lager, part of the Signature Brews, an Amber ale. I'm not typically a fan of amber unless it's in the lab to resurrect dinosaurs or encased by silver on my finger, but this one seemed all too enticing to say "no" to. For an amber, it wasn't as overwhelming with flavor and embodiment as I expect out of my amber ales. I'd only call it a "one and done" because of personal preference as opposed to its actual quality of flavoring.
For the other two picks in the six-pack, I went for two light ciders: Strongbow Original and Strongbow Cherry Blossom. What can I say? I love me some English cider - reminds me of Sainsbury and my few short months in the Queen's Land.
Have you tried any noteworthy brews outside of your comfort zone or typical season? I'd love some suggestions on places in other areas to purchase and try new flavors!
Until next time...
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." -Benjamin Franklin
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