04-05-2025
Beer Nut: A few follow-ups and some beer news
It's now the merry month of May, and I have two spring sprigs of beer news, but I also have a few follow-ups to some previous recent columns, so let's get to those first.
Going back to the end of January, I wrote about Incandescent Brewing, a new brewery that had taken over the space formerly occupied by Hitchcock Brewing in Bernardston. While Incandescent had opened for brewing then, it took a bit longer to open the taproom where folks could gather. That has since happened and seems to be a rousing success.
I also got my hands on some Incandescent beers since then, and while they are all excellent, I'd like to highlight Great Big World, the brewery's take on a German-style pilsner. My preference usually leans toward Czech or Bohemian-style pilsners, but I have to say, Great Big World has expanded my boundaries. It's a bit more bitter than a classic German pilsner, but the tasty bread-like malt foundation keeps things balanced. I look forward to knocking back a few of these on hot summer days.
Next up is a follow-up about Sierra Nevada's Hazy Little Thing series, which I wrote about at the beginning of April: Sierra Nevada had just also released a new version of Big Little Thing Imperial IPA, and I didn't get to try it alongside the others, but now I have. Although I'm a bit weary of hazy beers, this one is an exception.
As I had hoped, the new version is every bit as good as its predecessor. I wouldn't say it's better, but it's just as tasty, with an accent on expanding the citrus fruit spectrum. The Citra hops lead the way here, and Sierra Nevada has also cranked up the alcohol level from 9% to 9.5%, so proceed with caution. If you're a fan of this series and like the imperial IPA version, seek this one out.
Follow-up No. 3: Two weeks ago, I interviewed Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head about throwing out the first pitch at a Red Sox game, which he did during Grateful Dead night at Fenway to coincide with the new Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale. I wasn't able to get my hands on it at first, but now I have, and its combination of pineapple juiciness, soft bitterness at the end and overall welcoming drinkability will mean that this beer will be in heavy rotation throughout the summer for me.
Last but not least on our list is a follow-up on last week's column about Bunker Brewing's superb Chick-A-Dee English Style Bitter. As I mentioned, I also wanted to try the brewery's Barn Cat. As I suspected, Barn Cat was stunning. There are subtle hints of cocoa and molasses in the malt base, with just a hint of hops to keep it from being too sweet. Bunker Brewing is a small brewery described as a 'hidden gem.' I wish it were closer as I'd be there weekly.
On to some newer notes, and first up is that I just got the results of the World Beer Cup, held by the Brewers Association each year since 1996. While Massachusetts didn't grab a lot of medals, the state did win two: a gold medal for Size 6 by Marlborough's Lost Shoe Brewing in the Belgian-style Dubbel category and a bronze to Boston Beer Co.'s Samuel Adams Summer Ale in the Fruit Wheat Beer category.
And finally is my annual mention of a yearly release from Leadfoot Brewing in Chicopee. This beer is brewed in honor of my greatnephew Justin Lingenberg, who died in 2019 at age 18. Every year, Leadfoot brews a version of the beer, which has changed styles a few times. It was originally named Summer Setter, a wheat beer in honor of Justin's love of volleyball, and was renamed Justin in 2023. But this year it will be a spring ale called Batch 14.
Proceeds from the beer will be donated to assistance programs that help families with their financial burden during cancer treatment. The release party will be held on May 18 at Leadfoot Brewing, 95 North Chicopee St.
Read the original article on MassLive.
