The Alchemist's Heady Topper Double IPA

The black ink graphic on the silver bullet can takes you back to the 70's via the kind of art work that always seemed to include a moon, some stars, a wizard and a mushroom.  But if you think you're in a time machine, you'd better think more like "Back to the Future", because this is in no way the resurrection Billy Beer. 

The Alchemist's simple, no frills website describes the flavor as imparting wave after wave of hops, the result of a proprietary blend of six hops.  And that's a good metaphor. Though the subject of much speculation, what hops, where they are grown, or at what schedule they are added to the boil is not disclosed.  However, they do mention that it's 8%, making it a heavy pint. 

On the pour, it's a cloudy golden color, as you can see, and the froth isn't dramatic after say, half the glass is gone (which is fast, since this stuff is like liquid crack), making it just right.  The aroma, and flavor-- also just right, with subtle, distinct, lingering hops to the nose, and wonderfully balanced malt flavor to big, sexy hop flavors, but not at all bitter, all of which makes this a kind of a Goldy Locks and the Three Bears Double IPA.  I kept thinking "this is the kind of beer you would expect after watching those comical Sam Adam's commercials that featured "a pound of hops in every batch", with high def. images of hops piled high in the brewery." 

You can't seem to buy this stuff anywhere, ever, unless you drive to Vermont, which may be another good excuse to take the time to actually go skiing before spring kicks in.  We sampled a glass with Kenny (offsite), who owns one of the best craft beer bars in New York City on West 23rd Street, AKA the Guilty Goose, which is always lined with beer geeks and hop groupies, if you're ever looking for a good beer debate. 

Pripps Carlsberg Carnegie Porter

Okay, well this Justin, at Beer Table in Brooklyn, standing next to an outstanding porter he's pouring there this week, brewed by Pripps-Carlsberg Sverige Carnegie Porter 

Carnegie Porter.  Justin worked as a distributor for several years, and now maintains a nice small space in the Prospect Park area of Bklyn along 7th Avenue (not far from the F Train for you Public transporters).  

Beer Table is a really nice small space where you can get real beer in Brooklyn. So a nod is as good as a wink to a blinded bat, yes?

Very dark porter, with an average head that did not stick around for the photo shoot next to the electric table lantern, but then this beer just sneaks up on you like basing jumping, Airborne Ranger delivering the flowers you forgot for your best girl as you're walking up to her building, with its mildly sweet, malty and perfectly balanced slight hopped aroma, and a thick mouth feel, like that of a stout.  In fact, I'd bet a case that most people would identify it as a stout, if they were not told it's labeled a porter.  My first reaction right down to the last drop was that "this beer is perfect", so there's that.  Although, the second one tasted more sweet to me, after pairings with some of the excellent olives Beer Table serves. 

Newburgh Brewing Company's Paper Box Pale Ale

This is a new production brewery overlooking the Hudson River on the banks of scenic Newburgh, NY.  

Don't laugh, or mock it, Bro. Just because the leaders in Newburgh strictly obeyed General George Washington when he told them: "Do nothing until I return", is no reason to slander, chide or deride this epic city.  

Now, you want to know what makes Newburgh epic these days  now?  Ask Christopher Basso, who spent half-a-dozen years at Brooklyn Brewery, or just try the Newburgh Brewing Company's Paper Box Pale Ale-- BOOM! 

Outstanding color, aroma, froth and flavor.  I took a growler home two weeks ago, put it in a cold garage and it just got better with time.  The strong but mild hoppy flavor and aroma are extraordinary, kind of like George Washington, who slept about 500 yards from the Newburgh Brewing.  The ABV is 7.1%, which will produce a founding father's grade buzz, which is great if you want to forget that you have wooden teeth.  I hate to say it, because Tony MaGee is a great guy, but it looks like Langunitis is going to face a little "Maine Justice" in these parts, along the shores of the Hudson.  I'm not sure what magical, mystical wizardry Basso is employing, but it sure doesn't taste like extracts, and if they are using them, well, then I'll pay for the 400cc's Dr. Sizemore! 

In point of fact, for beer geeksters, after fetching the specs from their website just now, it looks like they are using the following hops :  Phoenix, East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, Sovereign, Styrian Goldings, Whole Leaf East Kent Goldings (via our hopback); dry-hopped using Phoenix and Sovereign.   

I'd highly recommended, so naturally you should go get some... or stubbornly wait until everyone you know is slurping it down to cut through the sausage grease at a NY Jets or Giants tailgate party next fall and you're like the last dude holding a Budwizzer.  Whatever.  I warned you. 

Green Growler in Croton, NY has it about now.  Note: as you can see, this was golden, and the American "Paper Box Pale Ale" as reviewed, is said to be more amber, so I'm not sure what I was served (Maybe the English style Pale Ale, with the Paper Box name), but let's just say it was as was labeled, or get both and compare.  Obviously, they aren't making Black Label, and seem to know what they are doing. 

Ommagang Wit at Pour George

Coudy, not much froth.  Mildly sour aroma, bitter, not very banana, clovered, but more citrus.  Not a lot to ballyhoo on this pour.

Don't know if it's the lines or the glass, but I suspect there's a little inattentiveness at times.  

Salt, Sugar, Fat. Times Intereview with Michael Moss on his new book about processed foods

If there's any doubt that salt, sugar and fat are master drivers of food sales, Michael Moss' new book should sort all those doubts out lickety split.   Here's a very tasty nugget from his interview with the Health page of the NYTimes:

Were you surprised by how many scientists and food company executives avoid their own products?

It was everything from a former top scientist at Kraft saying he used to maintain his weight by jogging, and then he blew out his knee and couldn’t exercise, his solution was to avoid sugar and all caloric drinks, including all the Kool-Aid and sugary drinks that Kraft makes. It ranged from him to the former top scientist at Frito Lay. I spent days at his house going over documents relating to his efforts at Frito Lay to push the company to cut back on salt. He served me plain, cooked oatmeal and raw asparagus for lunch. We toured his kitchen, and he did not have one single processed food product in his cupboards or refrigerator.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2013/02/26/salt-sugar-fat-qa-with-author-michael-moss/#ixzz2MR3bfX00

Spiegelau IPA Glass Launch With Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada

PB's Hop Common

You can see, it's dark, and has a nice frothy head, thanks to the right draft equipment at the new Peekskill Brewery Brew Pub... "PBBP", go ahead, say it a few times fast before and after one of these. 

No aroma, like some anonymous, unmarked cup of cold coffee sitting left on a job site, not boastful, offering up hoppy promises. No smell.  No indication that there's mad flavor in there, yo. 

Flavor on the other hand, packs a punch, like the quiet guy who's no talk but turns out to be all action--   nice balanced malt with mildly bitter hops.  

This beer is great, and your crazy to drink that bottled multinational stuff and pass this by.