Beer Friday: PM Dawn by Trillium Brewing Company

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

Since we moved home, I've been drinking basically nothing but Trillium (and Bissell Brothers...) beers. I have been a huge fan of Trillium since they entered the Boston beer space a few years ago, and I've been very eager to visit their second brewery - with full pours and all! - in Canton, Massachusetts (they opened it when we were living in Oregon). 

On Thanksgiving weekend, my opportunity to check out their new spot came - and boy am I glad it did. Canton is only about a 40-minute drive from Boston, and Trillium's new space is fantastic. The large, open setting was crowded on this Saturday afternoon, but lines moved swiftly (and, smartly, Trillium has a separate line for cans, etc. to-go and one for pours and/or bottles to be consumed on-site).

I usually opt for Trillium's hoppy beers, but after a few of those, I decided to try their latest batch of PM Dawn as well. And good god, it was delicious. Here's why:

What: PM Dawn by Trillium Brewing Company

Style: American stout

ABV: 9%

Tasting Notes: Freshly roasted coffee beans (they infuse this brew with their neighbors', Barrington Coffee Roasters', cold brew), smooth vanilla, rich cocoa, and a hint of peanut butter makes this beer delightfully sweet - but balanced out nicely with some necessary bitterness from the coffee. The mouthfeel is also silky smooth, making this 9% stout go down a bit too easy. 

Pairing Suggestion: I'm drooling over the thought of pairing this with a piece of chocolate cake, but if sweets aren't your thing, I love pairing good coffee stouts with brunch, too.

Where Can I Find It? Both Trillium locations in Fort Point and Canton currently have PM Dawn available in 22-ounce bottles or growlers, but it also can be found on tap at the Canton location, when available (their Fort Point location only sells bottles, cans, and growlers to-go - no pours on-site).

Have you had any great beers lately?

Scenes From Thanksgiving Weekend

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving, and holiday weekend! Here are some scenes from our relaxing, yet fun-filled, holiday:

Pictured: 

1.) The beautiful Thanksgiving table décor at my older sister’s house in Maine. (For the meal, I contributed this Vegetarian Wellington + vegan mushroom gravy, as well as these Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars).

2.) Me and one of my nieces, Braylee – accidentally matching!
3.) Z and his younger brother, Max, at our second Thanksgiving Friday night
4.) Continuing my holiday diet with brunch at Veggie Galaxy Friday morning…this was the Eggs Benedict with seitan hash – SO GOOD.
5.) That Eggs Benedict fueled us for a day of Bourbon County shopping – AKA how the Lahey clan does Black Friday. This beer – and its variants – are only released once a year, on Black Friday. Cheers to that!

Tell me all about your holiday!

Beer Friday: The Substance by Bissell Brothers Brewing Co.

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

We drank a lot of great beer in the Pacific Northwest. But in my humble, liver-quivering opinion, nothing beats East Coast IPAs.

Many of them are juicy with just the right amount of hop presence on the tongue to prevent them from being too sweet - a fantastic balance of crushable flavors.

And Bissell Brothers, located in Portland, Maine, is one brewery that has perfected these "hop juice" creations. 

What: The Substance Ale by Bissell Brothers Brewing Co.

Style: IPA

ABV: 6.6%

Tasting Notes: Dank yet juicy and oh-so crushable, this IPA quenches my thirst no matter what time of the year it is. Available weekly via can and on tap at the brewery (they got new digs since we moved - great space!), this brew is one of the few that's worth the wait...as you will likely be in line to get it. Brewed with Falconers Flight, Centennial, Appolo, Summit, and Chinook hops, this beer packs a hoppy punch with a bright, well-balanced finish. 

Pairing Suggestion: Um, everything? But for a few recommendations: something spicy, like these Spicy Seitan Tacos or Spicy Chickpea Salad Sandwiches. Or, since this is a juicy beer - pair it with brunch! This Chipotle Sausage, Scallion, & Tomato Frittata would be a great pairing.

Where Can I Find It? The brewery in Portland, Maine! Or, if you're lucky, you might be able to find it on tap at these Maine locations. 

What have you been drinking lately?

Beer Friday: Haze by Tree House Brewing Co.

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

Z and I have some awesome friends.

Last week, we hosted two of those friends here in Portland - they flew in from Boston - and they were gracious enough to bring us a whole slew of goodies.

Goodies like Tree House beer. One of my very favorite breweries from the East Coast. 

While all of Tree House's beers are good, I'm focusing on Haze today because that's what I drank on the beach. And it doesn't get any more "summer" then enjoying a good beer by the sand and waves...am I right?

What: Haze by Tree House Brewing Co.

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA

ABV: 8.2%

Tasting Notes: If you're not typically a fan of IPAs (or, Imperial IPAs), this beer might just change your mind. While it definitely packs a hop punch, it is in no way those hop/malt bombs we've all been burned by before. Instead, Haze is a refreshing, hoppy, tropical fruit-forward beer that tastes delightful on a hot summer day. (Let's be honest: it tastes delightful on a freezing cold day, too).

Pairing Suggestion: This beer could stand up to salty (and/or stinky) cheeses, like a sharp cheddar or blue cheese. IPAs always go well with spicy food, too - and for dessert? Carrot cake. Trust me.

Where Can I Find It? Tree House Brewing in Monson, MA! (Even though they're moving eventually). It's worth the short drive from Boston, and it's worth waiting in line for. I promise.

Cheers to the weekend!

Beer Friday: Dialed-In by Trillium Brewing

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

Ah, Trillium. Besides my family and friends out on the East Coast, I miss Trillium the most (although, Tree House is up there, too). Trillium - which just opened a second location in Canton, Massachusetts (complete with a tasting room!) - has their OG location right in Boston's Seaport (next to Row 34, if you're familiar with the area). The Seaport spot is for growler fills and bottle purchases only, but if you want some of their super fresh beers on tap, Row 34 typically has you covered. And when we were in town recently for a wedding, Row 34 is where I got to have this stellar beer on tap.

Here's why you'll want to be sipping on this beer all summer long.

What: Dialed-In by Trillium Brewing

Style: Double IPA

ABV: 8.5%

Tasting Notes: So juicy. So hazy. So refreshing. Sauvignon Blanc juice is added mid-fermentation, giving this beer a crisp, lighter body that's perfect for summer imbibing. Galaxy hops are also in the mix, giving each sip a fresh, juicy mango flavor that makes you eager for every sip. 

Pairing Suggestion: I had this with a lobster roll at Row 34, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Where Can I Find It? Trillium's two locations! Or, if you're lucky, it will be on tap again at Row 34. ;)

What beers do you love sipping on during the summer?

Beer Friday: Morph by Night Shift Brewing

 On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

Ah, Night Shift. How I miss thee! I remember when these guys first started out - just a few short years ago - and now they're killing it at their large, fun-to-hang-out-at brewery in Everett, Massachusetts. It's so great to see how much they've grown, and how much good beer they're still churning out.

One of my favorites from Night Shift, however, is their Morph IPA. Morph is their rotating IPA series, which means each batch is always a little different - but thankfully not too different from what makes Morph so delicious in the first place.

So, East Coast friends (and those who have East Coast hookups who will send them tasty beer), read on:

What: Morph from Night Shift Brewing in Everett, Mass.

Style: American IPA

ABV: 6.2% (current batch)

Tasting Notes: Super crushable! The current recipe features Simcoe, Citra, Topaz,and Mosaic hops, which helps to give this beer a juicier, brighter, borderline citrusy flavor. Notes of orange, peach, and melon are almost always apparent in Morph, which makes this brew the perfect beer to sip on during these sunny, warmer days.

Pairing Suggestion: The hoppy profile of this beer makes it pair well with spicier dishes, such as Mexican or Indian cuisine. But I also love this alongside a bomb-dot-com sandwich - even though Morph packs a flavor punch, it's still subtle enough to pair with a lot of more complex, flavorful foods.

Where Can I Find It? Morph cans (and draft pours!) are usually available at Night Shift's brewery in Everett (but I would call ahead to make sure it's available that day), as well as a wide variety of stores in Massachusetts (and New England). Here's a map to see where to buy Night Shift's beers near you. 

Cheers!

Beer Friday: Smugglers’ Reserve Bourbon Barrel-Aged Hard Cider

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

We’re switching gears this week – we’re talking about cider today!

Now…for those that know me, you’ve probably never heard me rave about a hard cider. I love non-hard, good cider with all of my New England heart, but hard cider? Besides Downeast Original, I’ve had a hard time finding one I’ve enjoyed sipping on.

Enter this cider that Z and I had before our flight back from Boston on Monday. Not really in the mood to drink – let alone drink a cider – I was pleasantly surprised by this bottle. Here’s why:

What: Smugglers’ Reserve Bourbon Barrel-Aged Hard Cider by Stowe Cider, Stowe, VT

ABV: 6.9%

Tasting Notes: The effervescence in this limited release cider is what initially won me over. It was bubbly – reminiscent of champagne – with an evident bourbon flavor on the backend. I’m a sucker for a bourbon barrel-aged anything, so the obvious booze in this was super appealing to me. The texture was thin yet crisp; it's an incredibly refreshing cider.

Pairing Suggestion: A cheese plate filled with soft cheeses; a melty, buttery grilled cheese; pork chops (I’ve tasted them before, they will work!); roasted winter vegetables; a nice, hearty pasta (risotto, anyone?).

Where Can I Find It? There was only one batch of this particular cider made this year - and Stowe Cider's distribution isn't that far and wide (understandably so). For my New England friends, I'd call your local beer and liquor stores and see if they have it available. Stowe Cider is also located at 1815 Pucker Street in Stowe, Vermont - check it out on a ski weekend!

Are you a hard cider fan?

Able Ebenezer Brewing Company | Merrimack, N.H.

Growing up in Merrimack, New Hampshire = growing up right around the corner from Anheuser Busch. On a hot, humid summer day, we could actually smell the yeast from the beer being brewed. That might sound disgusting, but the smell of stale beer in the air is actually quite nostalgic for me now. (Maybe that's why I'm such a boozehound?).

Anyway, fast forward to many years later - meaning, to the summer of 2014 - and in walks Able Ebenezer Brewing Company. Located a few miles down the road from its giant predecessor, Able Ebenezer is serving small batch ales in a pre-prohibition-style setting (meaning, an abandoned garage-warehouse-type space). And when we visited on Christmas Eve, it was delightfully warm enough to have the garage doors open.

The tap room offers pints, 1- and 2-liter growler purchases/fills, samples, and flights. Z and I had both heard great things about Able Ebenezer's beers from our friends who still live in the area, so we were excited to each have a flight and see what all of the fuss was about.

Both our flights included:

-Victory Nor Defeat, Double IPA (8% ABV)
-Burn the Ships, Smoked IPA (7% ABV)
-Broad Arrow, IPA (6.5% ABV)
-Auburn, American Red Ale (4.5% ABV)

I actually really liked all of these beers - even the Burn the Ships, despite the fact that I rarely like anything with a smoky flavor. (Hello, hot dogs). Burn the Ships was able to have some subtle smoke in the background, without overwhelming everything else. All of the other brews were clearly fresh, quite drinkable, and interesting enough to keep me intrigued. It's clear the folks at Able Ebenezer's know their beer, and are giving Merrimack the small craft brewery they've been waiting for.

For the local-to-New Hampshire readers, Able Ebenezer's is also available on tap at several restaurants and bars throughout the area. Click "Find Us On Tap" to see where.

And if you make it to the brewery, make sure to leave enough time to play some board - or video! - games while you're there. The space is large enough and setup accordingly for groups to drink and play.

Oh! And before you go - this is the sunset we got to see after our beer flights. Thank you, warm New Hampshire Christmas:

Did you discover any new-to-you places over the holidays?

Beer Friday: Alter Ego by Tree House Brewing Co.

Every Friday, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers!

Brewery: Tree House Brewing Co. in Monson, Mass.

What: Alter Ego

ABV: 6.8%

Tasting Notes: A dangerously easy-to-drink American IPA. It is available on tap/for growler fills at the brewery, but I prefer it in a tallboy can, as pictured above. I like my IPAs juicy (ew?), and Tree House always nails that citrusy, thirst-quenching IPA that I crave. This particular brew is similar to their Julius IPA (also fantastic), but is chock-full of Mosaic and Amarillo hops, as well as citrus (Tree House calls it the "Devil Julius"). We crushed quite a few of these as we traveled cross country (not while driving, Mom!), and it was the perfect companion after a long day behind the wheel. (It would also be the perfect beach...hiking...snowboarding companion, too).

Pairing Suggestion: This is best on its own, but as with all IPAs, spicy food is king (this + tacos would be my heaven). But really...I'd pair it with just about anything and be happy.

Where Can I Find It? Tree House Brewing in Monson for cans or growlers; or you might be lucky enough to find it on tap at these few places (scroll to the bottom of the page). Into beer trades? TRADE FOR THIS ONE. You won't be disappointed.

Side Note: For my peeps on the East Coast, it's a beautiful drive to Monson. Pick up some cans at the brewery then head to B.T.'s Smokehouse for BYOB and BBQ. They do have some vegetarian options, too!

Have you ever had Tree House's beer? If so, what do you think?