Maine Beer Series at Frontier with Oxbow Brewing.

As I mentioned in my prior post I attended the first Maine Beer Series presentation at Frontier in Brunswick on Thursday. This was a 2 hour session with Oxbow Brewing owner Geoff Masland and his wife Dash representing the brewery. Geoff did a great job with the presentation including photos, video and the complete story of how Oxbow came to be. He also went into some of the challenges they have overcome being located in a small town in rural Maine and a history of the saison style. The 2 hours of the presentation went by very quickly and there were 25-30 people in attendance. During the session they provided samples of Space Cowboy, Freestyle #3 Dark Saison and at the end we got to try the first bottled beer from Oxbow Brewing. This is a barrel aged version of their flagship beer Farmhouse Pale Ale. The beer has been aging at the brewery for months and it will not be on sale for a few more weeks. Tentative date of 4/14 for the release at the brewery.


Frontier did an excellent job as host of the event keeping sample glasses full, providing quality hors d'oeuvres and the space was a perfect setting for this kind of event. Ample parking and easy to find. They already have 2 more events scheduled - April 12th with Marshall Wharf Brewing and June 14th with Maine Beer Company. I expect to attend each and would recommend any fan of craft beer to do the same. 

208. Marshall Wharf Illegal Ale-Ien

Thursday night I went to the first Maine Beer Series event at Frontier in Brunswick. I had never been to Frontier so had no idea what to expect. They have a great space in an old mill building right on the river. Small bar area, lots of seats and tables and then a separate theater area where they held the event, more on that in my next post. I got there a little early and decided to have a drink before the presentation. They had 6-8 Maine based beers on tap including 2 from Oxbow, Maine Beer Company Mean Old Tom, Allagash White and this offering from Marshall Wharf. Since this was the only beer of the bunch I had not tried before I decided on it.


The beer pours a pale yellow with almost no head. Aroma of wheat/grass and taste was very smooth with minimal hop bitterness and only slightly sweet. Very easy to drink and I had no idea it was 8% ABV until I checked the brewers website today. Marshall Wharf has a long list of beer on their site so I will be sure to try more in the coming months. 
Pros: Easy to drink

Cons:  

Alcohol Content: 8% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 3 / 5 
Brewers Website: Marshall Wharf

Brewers Description: A hybrid kolsch/wheat beer brewed with organic blue agave nectar. Light in color and finish.

207. Rock Art Brewery American-Belgo Style IPA

I had no idea what to expect with this one, what is an American-Belgo Style IPA?? Apparently it is an IPA using Belgian yeast to give it a mix of 2 entirely different styles. The beer pours a copper color with very little head which disappears almost immediately. The photo here is after an aggressive pour and you can see almost no head. Aroma was great with lots of yeast and fruit. Taste seemed a bit off with the mix of the Belgian yeasts and hops. I enjoy Belgian style beers and I enjoy IPAs just not sure I enjoy them mixed together. Certainly not a bad beer but if you want a Belgian beer get one, if you want a double IPA get one - no reason to try to get them in the same beer. 
Pros: Unique

Cons:  Odd combination of styles

Alcohol Content: 7.5% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 70
Rating: 3 / 5 
Brewers Website: Long Trail

Brewers Description: This is an American IPA fermented with our house strain of Belgian yeast. The beer has a soft copper body, malty and balanced with 70 IBU from our Columbus bittering hop addition. The hops then transition into flavoring hop additions during the last 30 minutes of brewing. At the end of the brew we add buckets full of aroma hops and ferment at a warm temperature. Then to capture even more hop flavors and aromas we poured more buckets full of hops directly into the beer (dry hop) and allow the beer to rest and absorb all the delicious hop goodness.

206. Long Trail Double IPA

Similar to the 100 Barrel Series from Harpoon, Long Trail has their Brewmaster series. These are special recipes from their brewers are only available in 22 oz or on tap. Some are only available for certain months and others (like this one) are available year round.


Long Trail's Double IPA has a very classy looking bomber and pours a nice golden with a fairly thick white head. Smell has a bit of everything; light pine, citrus and floral hops. Taste has plenty of hops with a fair amount of sweetness to offset the hop bitterness. Very well balanced and enjoyable. If you like Double IPAs you should give this one a try. 
Pros: Well balanced taste

Cons:  

Alcohol Content: 8.6% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 86
Rating: 4 / 5 
Brewers Website: Long Trail

Brewers Description: Long Trail Double IPA offers true reward to those seeking intensely sensual hop flavor. Double IPA is a full-flavored ale featuring a good malt backbone combined with an aroma brimming with tantalizing citrus and pine notes.

205. Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Black IPA

This is my fifth beer from Harpoon but the first from their 100 Barrel Series. This series is designed to give their brewers a bit more freedom with a little more freedom starting out on a pilot system and then moving it to a limited production. This is the 40th from the series but first for me. I do have #41 already and will review that in the coming weeks. Harpoon makes quality beer so I am sure I will continue to enjoy the 100 Barrel Series.


This one is the Black IPA which pours almost black, only slight hints of red in the color with a thick tan head. Aroma is minimal but there are some hops and roasted malts (as you would expect form a black IPA). Taste is good but nothing that makes it stand out from other run of the mill IPAs. Easy to drink with a fair amount of carbonation. Overall a good beer just not very exciting. 
Pros: Appearance

Cons: Average taste

Alcohol Content: 7.0% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 67

204. New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red

This is another beer from my Wisconsin trade and the first bottle that was dipped in wax to seal the cap. Makes for a very interesting bottle. New Glarus is a very well established craft brewer in Wisconsin. They started brewing in 1993 and still distribute only in Wisconsin so if you want to try their beer you will have to take a road trip or find a trading partner. 
The Wisconsin Belgian Red is one of 6 year round beers made by New Glarus. The beer pours a very deep red with nice white head. Aroma is amazing, full on cherry, no beer or alcohol smell, just a sweet tart cherry smell. Taste follows the nose, very sweet cherry flavors almost candy like at the beginning and turning slightly tart at the end. Nothing but cherry and with the low alcohol content, higher than normal carbonation you could almost pass this off as a cherry soda. Generally I am not a big fruit beer drinker but if you like cherries you would like this beer.

203. Penobscot Bay Red Flannel Ale (growler)

Visited the winery / brewery / restaurant in Winterport last week and picked up a growler of Red Flannel Ale as it was on special. This is my first growler from Penobscot Bay, I really enjoy growlers. The beer itself tasted just as I remember it from the bottle although this time I had 64 ounces of it instead of just the 22 from the bomber. Also while visiting the brewery I saw bottles of their 2011 homebrew contest IPA which I hope they bring back this year. If you happen to be in the Winterport area I suggest you stop by Winterport Winery. Also be sure to check out their website for the schedule of beer or wine dinners, cooking classes or events check out the link below. Great people making quality beer and wine right here in Maine. 
Pros: Complex flavor, the right amount of sweet

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: ??% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Penobscot Bay Brewery

Brewers Description: Red flannels keep you warm and so will this hearty ale. Mostly Pale malt but full bodied and flavor from the Special B. Roasted Barley and Munich for color. There is a sweet aroma followed by rich, malty flavors with added notes of Perle hops for bittering. Best enjoyed slowly and at cellar temperature. Drink some now, and lay some aside for the future.

202. Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA

Was not sure what to expect from this offering from Dogfish Head as I had not read anything about it before opening the bomber. First thing I noticed was the amount of carbonation which made it very difficult to pour, this happens on occasion and it took me at least 3 minutes to get the glass you see in this picture. Pour a little, drink the foam and repeat. Smell is very subtle with some sweetness and a bit of earthy hops, nothing overpowering but certainly inviting. Taste is different than the other "minute" ipas from Dogfish Head and provided you do not drink this one very cold you will certainly taste the maple flavor coming through. This give the beer a different taste with the hops and sweet maple tastes, different and worth trying but I still prefer the 90 minute IPA over the other varieties. I do like the new embossed bottles with the Dogfish logo right there on the bottle.
Pros: Different due to the maple flavor

Cons:  

Alcohol Content: 7.5% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 75
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Dogfish Head

Brewers Description: Blend two Dogfish Head favorites, add maple syrup and carbonate the mixture naturally. What do you get? 75 Minute IPA.

The carbon dioxide trapped during bottle conditioning gives 75 Minute IPA a soft and velvety mouthfeel. Dry-hopped with whole-leaf Cascades, this complex IPA has been known to inspire pilgrimages to our brewpub.

Now were sharing this animated blend of 60 Minute and 90 Minute with the rest of our fans, 750 milliliters at a time.

201. Weyenbacher Hops Infusion

The score of this one may have suffered slightly as I had it immediately after the Victory Hop Wallop and it was just not as good. The appearance of this one was very promising with a nice deep orange color with thick white head. Smell had more sweet malts than hops which seemed odd since the name is Hops Infusion. This carries through to the taste as well with lots of sweetness up front with a lingering bitterness from the hops. Taste lasts and lasts but not necessarily in a good way. Overall this is not a bad IPA but after the run I have had of great double/imperial IPAs this one just did not stand up.
Pros: Appearance

Cons:  More malt aroma and flavor than I expected

Alcohol Content: 6.2% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Weyerbacher

Brewers Description: Our brewers’ intention on Hops Infusion was to create a complexity of hops flavor and aromas, not found in any other beer. Made with seven hop varieties, this deep copper-orange IPA is loaded with juicy hop notes of pine, lemon zest, and a layer of pink grapefruit and a strong foundation of toasted caramel malts underneath it all give this beer a complexity that’s unparalleled. Hops Infusion weighs in at 6.2% and is available year-round.

In case you are wondering, the seven varieties are Cascade, Pilgrim, Centennial, Liberty, Saaz, Fuggle and E. Kent Golding.

200. Victory Hop Wallop

This is only my second beer from Victory Brewing but so far I am impressed. This is their double IPA and it is a good one. Appearance is not the best but still solid with a nice orange color and medium white head. A very pleasant earthy aroma but taste has lots and lots of grapefruit which is surprisingly good in a beer. I have had a few double/imperial IPAs with big grapefruit tastes and have enjoyed them all. This is a very good beer and something I would enjoy having again. If you see this in your local beverage store you should certainly give it at try. 
Pros: Aroma, Grapefruit taste
Cons: 
Alcohol Content: 8.5% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Victory Brewing

Brewers Description: 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.

199. Lakefront IPA

Another quality IPA but this one comes from a brewery in Wisconsin - Lakefront Brewery. This brewery has been around since 1987 so it was certainly one of the early craft brewers. They are known for one of the best brewery tours and actually have their tour posted on Youtube. Kind of a neat thing for a brewery to do. This one has a great color to it very bright orange with a huge white head. Tons of aroma with lots of fruity and floral hops, probably one of the best smelling beers I have had. Taste has every with lots of flavorful hops including citrus, floral and pine. The malts are there too to balance things out and the dry finish leaving you wanting more. I only bought a single at Bangor Wine & Cheese but wish I had more. 
Pros: Aroma, Well balance hoppy taste

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 6.9% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Lakefront Brewery

Brewers Description: Pours a hazy orange with a rocky white head that lasts, and leaves soft lace on your glass as you sip this refreshing beer. American Cascade and Chinook hops dominate the aroma, yielding a citrusy, floral bouquet. The hops give a nice bitter bite to the flavor, but this beer is surprisingly well balanced with a full body and smooth malty flavor to back up the hops. It finishes smooth and crisp with a lingering hop flavor reminiscent of fresh ruby red grapefruit.
Goes well with any spicy food, historically Indian food as well as Thai, Cajun, or Mexican. Try our IPA with Buffalo wings, blackened chicken or pepperoni pizza. Beef dishes or fried seafood can stand up to the hops as well. Ideal Serving Temp: 54-56° F

198. Meantime IPA

I have to admit I purchased this one because of the bottle. Such a cool design and label. This is an 11.2 oz bottle (slightly less than your typical American 12 oz) with avery unique style to it. Meantime is a brewery located in London, England and they also sell full 750 ml bottles with a cork top. The beer pours a pale orange color with a decent white head.  Smell is mostly malts and breads which is surprising for an IPA but maybe they do things differently in England. Taste has a fair amount of sweetness from the malts and a nice tropical fruit taste - maybe cantaloupe? Overall it was an easy to drink beer even at 7.4% ABV. Not sure I would seek out another bottle but I was not disappointed in the one I had. 
Pros: Bottle

Cons: Average taste and less exciting than many American IPAs.

Alcohol Content: 7.4% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Meantime Brewing

Brewers Description: The Original Bitter BeerA Glass Full of Hops

197. Sierra Nevada Hoptimum

This is only my second beer from Sierra Nevada and overall I am not impressed. This is their Imperial IPA and I have been drinking a lot of Double/Imperial IPAs over the past couple of weeks and this one just does not stand up to those other West Coast IPAs and Sebago Brewing's Full Throttle. Color is nice with a thick white head after an aggressive pour, aroma has plenty of citrus hops but nothing too exciting. Taste is where this one loses me; some citrus, pine and grapefruit but also a fair amount of bitterness and quite sweet. The alcohol is hidden well as it is 10+% ABV but does not taste it. Maybe I am being too critical or I have simply had too many exceptional IPAs lately to really give this one a fair chance. 
Pros: Appearance

Cons: Sweet and bitter

Alcohol Content: 10.4% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 100
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Sierra Nevada

Brewers Description: A group of hop-heads and publicans challenged our Beer Camp brewers to push the extremes of whole-cone hop brewing. The result is this: a 100 IBU, whole-cone hurricane of flavor. Simply put —Hoptimum: the biggest whole-cone IPA we have ever produced. Aggressively hopped, dry-hopped, AND torpedoed with our exclusive new hop varieties for ultra-intense flavors and aromas.
Resinous "new-school" and exclusive hop varieties carry the bold and aromatic nose. The flavor follows the aroma with layers of aggressive hoppiness, featuring notes of grapefruit rind, rose, lilac, cedar, and tropical fruit—all culminating in a dry and lasting finish.

196. Black Bear Brewery Dry Hopped Pail Ale

Had the opportunity to stop by Black Bear Brewery yesterday afternoon and talk to owner/brewer Tim Gallon. Sampled the four beers he had in the tasting room including the dry hopped version of his Pail Ale. After trying all I decided this was the one to take home in a growler. $9 for 64 ounces of fresh beer is a real bargain. Color is an amazing cloudy orange with minimal head. Aromas of citrus hops and taste is a very pleasant light bodied ale with a nice hop kick. It has been a while since I had a true session beer and this one certainly falls into that category. The 64 ounce growler will certainly be finished off tomorrow evening. If you happen to be in Orono, Maine be sure to stop by and talk to Tim, super nice guy that really enjoys what he does. Looking forward to trying their Hefe this summer.
Pros: Color, drinkable

Cons: Only available at the brewery in a growler 

Alcohol Content: 4.8% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Black Bear Brewery

Brewers Description: This is a dry hopped version of their Pail Ale. Pail Ale is a hoppy American pale ale. Large late American hop additions give a big aroma and flavor balanced with a sweet malty backbone for a very drinkable pale ale.