This is something I’ll start thinking about in a few days when we get on a plane to fly home. Right now I’m focused on what my next Franconian beer will be.
How am I ever ever going to get caught up on new beers and drink my favorite holiday beers? I’m not, particularly since we’ll still be “limiting” ourselves to drinking regional beers. So I think I’ll start with a simpler question: What should my first local beer be?
I know it will be a seasonal release, and I wouldn’t be surprised it its hoppy. It will be from the mid-Atlantic states, because we’ll be in New Jersey, where there are plenty of stores with excellent bottles choices (though not nearly as many great bars).
Please leave a suggestion as a comment.
Dogfish Head’s Palo Santo Marron
A great big, hoppy, estery, west coast IPA. Then you can start in on all the seasonals and new brews.
The first beer I had on American soil was Sam Adams Summer Ale, which was a total revelation having be regaled for years with horror stories of American beer’s general suckiness. From what little I, currently, know of the American scene – I would be looking for the Old Fezziwig Ale.
I’ll second Peter’s suggestion. I just had a taste of that recently and want to get some more.
Brooklyn’s Black Chocolate Stout is seasonal and is always a favorite of mine. Since you’ll be in my native New Jersey, though, how about the Grand Cru from Flying Fish?
I like the Brooklyn’s Black Chocolate Stout, it’s seasonal, local and very American in style.
Victory Hop Wallop:
From Victory’s site (http://www.victorybeer.com/hop_wallop.html):
“ABOUT
We celebrate the pioneering spirit of old Horace ‘Hop’ Wallop and those who dare mighty adventurous things in this vivid, robust ale. As our annual homage to the hop harvest, expect loads of aromatic splendor and bitter beauty.
COMPOSITION
Malts: Imported German malts
Hops: American whole flowers
Alcohol by volume: 8.5%
AVAILABILITY
Limited bottles and draft -beginning November 1, for a limited time”
Something vivid with Cascade hops. Nothing says America more than a citrusy ale. You could do worse than a Sierra Nevada Pale.
Hey Stan,
If you get back soon, you can try some of the pure blooded, American, New Mexican hops in a winter warmer that Brad Kraus brewed. Sat. it’ll be in a cask at the Marble Brewery(ABQ) and at the Blue Corn(SF). If you miss that, you may have to get up to Trinity Brewing(CSprings) for some of the same hops served through Jason Yester’s randler!
If you want citrus and tangerine, we’ve got it!
I still have some hops for you to brew your own magic too!
Aztlan Winter Ale
I’m all about Allagash Hugh Malone right now … might be a nice transition from Europe to America but with some hops.