Ok, I admit it. I am in remission. I have been an extreme beer drinker for sometime. Double Wit ale? Sure, never had that before (sorta hard to finish a pint). If there is a a double IPA cask conditioned in Pinot Noir oak barrels on a pull cask, serve it up please. I think you get the point.
In my defense, I think NYC has something to do with it. Things in this city are never enough. You get used to this lifestyle that is so fast past that is constantly striving for more and more. NYC is a distilled version of that good old American ingenuity and determination. Get 2 weeks of work done in a day? Sure thing, bye-bye life & so long friends! Could ya stuff 30 different flavors into one beer and make sure its 14% alcohol? Make it a pint while your are at it. I am a busy person, I don't have 6 hrs to kill in a pub downing endless pints of bitter. I need my fix and I want it fancy (Is this another symptom of NYC dwelling?). Extreme urban living and beer drinking go hand in hand.
But as I said, I am recovering. I have had it with cramming as much as possible into my life. I am tired of pushing myself to consume any edgy type of beer. If I don't slow down at times, I am going to come away with a really shitty taste in my mouth.
In an attempt to at least address some of this. I have been drawn more towards the more mundane, yet drinkable beers. My brewing guru Mark, or Harvey as he is know in his brewing circles, likes to brew very classic and easily drinkable beers. Go out to a bar with him and you will soon find out why. Let's just say, taunts of being a pussy and having to make up for lapped sessions have something to do with it. While I haven't strayed as far as Mark, I have been enjoying the simpler side of life.
So here are a few beers that I have been enjoying lately. All of them are local and cheap:
Southampton Secret Ale - $6.80 for a 6 pack
This is the first beer I have had from Southampton. I didn't know what to expect from such a cheap beer. I was damn happy that I didn't stress out about having to find the perfect beer. I took the chance and all was good (In the end, it still is beer. How could you go wrong?). The Secret Ale is an Alt, meaning "Old" is a well balanced brown ale with a smooth malt backbone. Not too hoppy and damn drinkable. This totally hit the spot on a hot night and I consumed the six pack within a week. Really tasty, easy to drink, and hands downs a super deal.
Ithaca Nut Brown - $7.50 for a sixer
I like Ithica. They walk on the wild side too, as I mentioned in my 1st post. But, thankfully, they know how to build a easy, drinkable beer. This one is a nice strong malt ale that is a little lighter on on the hoppy, crisp bite but damn does it have a nutty aftertaste. It is a great beer to drink with a variety of cheese. If you enjoy a nutty cheese or cheese and nuts, grab a six pack of this beer and play with your favorite cheeses. Maybe a nuttier cheese will diminish the nuttiness of the beer or vice versa. I dunno. Relax, drink this beer and eat some good cheese. I am sure it will be great either way!
Brooklyn Pilsner $8~9 depending if you plan ahead or take it easy and pay a few extra by grabbing it at a bodega
For some reason, this beer from Brooklyn always gets lost between the Brooklyn lager and the Brooklyn Weisse. It has great dry, crisp malt flavor to it with a touch of honey oat-i-ness to it. Makes me think of breakfast cereal, but beer, which in my world is a great thing. Plus, it is really tasty cold on a hot day. Pick it up or order it at a bar, it is worth a try.
So, take a moment from the hurly burly that is NYC. And if you are like me, take a break from the crazy beers as well. Sit back, pop open a few of these easy, tasty, but cheap, local beers, and cool down on one of these last summer nights. And if you want, relax a bit more by sticking the tips of your fingers down the front of your pants, Bundy-style. No one's lookin' and if they are... whatever.
Technorati Tags: experimental, style: Alt, style: Nut Brown Ale, style: Pilsner
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