{"id":3322,"date":"2010-10-29T11:38:24","date_gmt":"2010-10-29T18:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/?p=3322"},"modified":"2010-11-01T06:20:24","modified_gmt":"2010-11-01T13:20:24","slug":"forest-city-beeriad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/forest-city-beeriad\/","title":{"rendered":"Forest City Beeriad"},"content":{"rendered":"

November 2010<\/p>\n

download this story as a .pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

By Karen E.\u00a0Hofreiter<\/p>\n

Rules of engagement<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

How to create a beer buzz with 25 of your closest friends<\/h3>\n

1<\/strong><\/span>. Invite equal numbers of Bud Light-gulpers, microbrew-sippers, and swirl-and-sniff beer aficionados. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2<\/strong><\/span>. Insist they think as they drink, answering all 98 questions contained in a 15-page handout.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

3<\/strong><\/span>. Present 14 Maine beers chosen by an expert:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Allagash Fluxus<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Allagash Victor Francenstein<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Andrew\u2019s English Pale Ale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Atlantic Brewing Brother Adam\u2019s Bragget<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Bar Harbor Cadillac Mountain Stout<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Dogfish Squall IPA<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Gritty\u2019s Halloween Ale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Maine Beer Co. Peeper Ale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Maine Beer Co. Zoe Ale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Maine Mead Works Honeymaker Dry-hopped Mead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Marshall Wharf Ace Hole<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Sebago Single Batch Dark Wheat Project<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Shipyard Old Thumper<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span>Shipyard Pumpkinhead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"beer\"Clever. European. Sexy. Diabolical. SoCal cool. If the words used to describe Maine beers at a local tasting are any indication, it would be safe to say that we\u2019ve left behind our staid reputation for tweedy, English-style ales, emerging as the New World birthplace of world-class brews like Allagash\u2019s lusty Belgian whites, Sebago\u2019s breezy IPAs, Marshall Wharf\u2019s maniacally hopped classics, and Shipyard\u2019s pop-culture seasonals. \u201cThe typical profile of a Maine beer is an English-style pale\/bitter that is malt-driven, has an amber-caramel color, and is low on the hops,\u201d says Shahin Khojastehzad, bar manager at Portland\u2019s Novare Res Bier Caf\u00e9. Local brewmasters concur: Dave Kleban of Maine Beer Company says, \u201cEnglish-style ales.\u201d Tom Abercrombie of Sebago Brewing Company says, \u201cRoots are British\u2026for a long time, Maine was pushed into that corner. But the perception of craft beer in Maine is changing pretty quickly.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Looks like it\u2019s time we get to the bottom of the glass.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n


\nALL-AROUND FAVORITES
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Allagash Fluxus<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFull-bodied with a spicy, herbal taste\u201d\u2013allagash.com<\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>10% abv, 25.4-oz bottle, $15<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

If this beer were a celebrity, who would it be?<\/strong>
\n\u201cCharlize Theron\u2013smooth and sexy\u201d; \u201cKevin Spacey\u2013don\u2019t wanna like it, but can\u2019t help it\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

What are the human character traits of this beer?<\/strong>
\n\u201cCreative, clever, sassy\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What food(s) does this beer remind you of?<\/strong>
\n\u201cBlack Twizzlers, pumpkin pie, and ginger snaps\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Would you drink this beer? If so, on what occasion?<\/strong>
\nYes (100%)\u2013\u201dLike Allagash White but kick-ass\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Would you have guessed this is a Maine-brewed beer?<\/strong>
\nYes (75%)\u2013\u201dMainers have originality but sometimes get carried away with the spicing\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If this beer were a town or place in Maine, where would it be?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u201cSomeplace touristy where all the locals have to pretend to like <\/span>
\n<\/span>the out-of-staters\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Are the label art and name representative of what\u2019s inside the bottle?<\/strong>
\n\u201cLabel is plain; beer is not\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

Allagash Victor Francenstein<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c2008 Victor, aged in oak with wild yeast\u201d\u2013Novare Res <\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>Only 400 bottles released, 9.7% abv, 375 ml bottle, $150 eBay<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cRobert Downey, Jr. during his heroin years\u2013brilliant and crazy as #$%@!\u201d; \u201cLauren Bacall and Audrey Hepburn\u2013classic, elegant, and beautiful\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Character <\/strong>\u201cSweet, but with an unexpected, worldly bite\u201d; \u201cMysterious and ephemeral\u201d<\/p>\n

Eats<\/strong> \u201cGreen grapes, Razzles candy\u201d<\/p>\n

For you? <\/strong>Yes (75%)\u2013\u201dA true postcoital libation!\u201d; No\u2013\u201dNot on <\/span>my salary!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

ME-brewed? <\/strong>No (75%)\u2013\u201dWould have thought Europe\u2013extremely complex and high-end\u201d; Yes\u2013\u201dMaine beer rocks the party that rocks my body.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Town<\/strong> \u201cWaterford\u2013sprawl-resistant, beautiful, and Maine\u2019s best-kept secret\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Maine Beer Co. Zoe Ale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHappy, hoppy, amber\u201d\u2013mainebeercompany.com<\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span> 7.2% abv, 16.9-oz bottle, $5<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb <\/strong>\u201cMary Louise Parker in Weeds<\/em>\u2013sexy and clumsy with a whole lot going on\u201d<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cThe smooth, sexy girl for whom you buy a beer and then can\u2019t get her to give you her number\u201d<\/p>\n

Eats <\/strong>\u201cAnything that leaves your taste buds wanting more\u201d<\/p>\n

For you?<\/strong> Yes (90%)\u2013\u201dI may fight it at first but then love it like a bad boyfriend\u201d<\/p>\n

ME-brewed?<\/strong> Yes (55%)\u2013\u201dHappy equals Maine to me\u201d; No\u2013\u201dToo smooth and mature\u201d<\/p>\n

Town <\/strong>\u201cPortland\u2013there\u2019s a lot going on, and no one wants to be in bed before last call\u201d<\/p>\n

Label <\/strong>\u201cShould be named \u2018Nick.\u2019 Nick is your buddy who wakes up in the jail cell next to you and says, \u2018Damn, that was fun!\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Shipyard Old Thumper<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHint of sweetness with fruit aromas, smooth texture, dry, hoppy finish\u201d\u2013shipyard.com
\n5.8% abv, six-pack $8<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cGene Hackman\u2013earthy, mature flavor that is just sure to make you feel great\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cSolid, predictable\u2013I\u2019d ask it to help with my taxes\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For you? <\/strong>Yes (100%)\u2013\u201dThis is my beer baby!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

ME-brewed?<\/strong> Yes (66%)\u2013\u201dHas a salt-of-the-earth taste\u201d<\/p>\n

Label<\/strong> \u201cOnomatopoeia!\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Shipyard Pumpkinhead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHints of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg\u201d\u2013shipyard.com <\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>5.1% abv, six-pack $8<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb <\/strong>\u201cRegis Philbin\u2013as much as you hate to say it, you look forward to seeing him\u201d<\/p>\n

For You?<\/strong> Yes (100%)\u2013\u201dThis is my fall beer of choice, reminds me of falling leaves and corn mazes\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

CULT FOLLOWING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maine Mead Works HoneyMaker Dry-Hopped Mead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrong, fruity aroma with hints of pine, grapefruit, and subtle floral notes; subtle hint of honey and natural bitterness of the hops\u201d <\/em><\/span>\u2013mainemeadworks.com; 12.5% abv, 750 ml bottle, $14<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cTaylor Swift\u2013as far from masculine as you can get\u201d<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cSweet but sneaky\u2013I wouldn\u2019t turn my back on it\u201d<\/p>\n

Eats<\/strong> \u201cHoney with Tabasco, marmalade, candy canes\u201d<\/p>\n

For you?<\/strong> Yes (80%)\u2013\u201dI\u2019d down it on a hot day with other Vikings\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

ME-brewed?<\/strong> Yes (60%)\u2013\u201dWe have lots of bees\u201d<\/p>\n

Town<\/strong> \u201cLewiston\u2013can be good, but can be gross\u201d<\/p>\n

Label<\/strong> \u201c\u2019Mrs. Butterworth\u2019s would be more appropriate\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Bar Harbor Cadillac Mountain Stout<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFull-bodied stout with focused chocolate flavors and plenty of hops and malt\u201d \u2013barharborbeer.com
\n6.7% abv, six-pack $11<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cHugh Laurie on House, M.D.<\/em>\u2013you want to hate the bitterness, but you can\u2019t help but warm up to it\u201d<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cStrong and drives a big car, gas no object\u201d<\/p>\n

Eats<\/strong> \u201cBrown bread\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Maine Beer Co. Peeper Ale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmerican-style pale ale, citrus and floral hops\u201d\u2013Novare Res<\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>5.5% abv, 500 ml bottle, $4.50<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cTony Shalhoub on Monk<\/em>\u2013more bark than bite\u201d<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cComplicated, quirky, smart\u201d; \u201cBoringness\u2013besides giving me a buzz, it wouldn\u2019t do much for me\u201d<\/p>\n

Eats<\/strong> \u201cLime, tarragon, gin, stale cheese\u201d<\/p>\n

For you?<\/strong> Yes (60%)\u2013\u201dLike a classic IPA, only better\u201d<\/p>\n

ME-brewed?<\/strong> Yes (80%)\u2013\u201dSimple, clean, delicious\u2013perfect expression of Maine brewing\u201d<\/p>\n

Town<\/strong> \u201cOld Orchard Beach\u2013goes down easy\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

SPLIT DECISION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andrew\u2019s English Pale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClassic, English-style ale\u201d\u2013Novare Res; 4.5% abv, six-pack $8<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cKelsey Grammer on Frasier<\/em>\u2013
\n<\/span>very dry\u201d<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cRolls with the punches\u201d<\/p>\n

ME-brewed?<\/strong> Yes (60%)\u2013\u201dReminds me of Gritty\u2019s or Sebago\u201d<\/p>\n

Town<\/strong> \u201cYarmouth\u2013a little pretentious\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Atlantic Brewing <\/strong><\/span>Brother Adam\u2019s Bragget<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBelgian-style with unique & sophisticated flavor due to the use of wildflower honey, pale malt,
\nand a very small amount of hops\u201d<\/em> <\/span>\u2013atlanticbrewing.com; 11.8% abv, 22-oz bottle, $6<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cRyan Seacrest\u2013schmoozes you, draws you in, and then\u2026it\u2019s downhill from there\u201d<\/p>\n

Character <\/strong>\u201cA fragrant, herbal scent and a sweet first taste with a bitter finish. Like a first wife. We\u2019d have to come to an understanding\u201d; \u201cPoetically handsome and rugged\u201d<\/p>\n

For You?<\/strong> No (60%)\u2013\u201dToo sweet\u201d<\/p>\n

Town<\/strong> \u201cFreeport\u2013cutesy and \u2018Mainey\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Label<\/strong> \u201cWho the hell is Brother Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Dogfish Head Squall IPA<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuper-pungent imperial IPA, dry-hopped\u201d\u2013dogfish.com (brewed by Dogfish in Delaware specifically for beer drinkers in Maine);<\/em> <\/span>9% abv, 25-oz bottle, $7<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cJohn Cusack\u2013not afraid to be complicated yet charming\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cLike a refined gentleman reading Jack Kerouac while sipping a PBR\u2013intelligent but approachable\u201d<\/p>\n

ME-brewed?<\/strong> Yes (50%)\u2013\u201dWarms the numb toes. Plus, the name is all Maine\u201d; No (50%)\u2013\u201dThis is what people outside of Maine think Mainers want\u201d<\/p>\n

Town<\/strong> \u201cFreeport\u2013bright and fun but ultimately for tourists\u201d<\/p>\n

Label<\/strong> \u201cMakes me think of a classic, rugged drink, not something fruity\u201d; \u201cThis should be named \u2018Sprinkle\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Gritty\u2019s Halloween Ale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRobust brew has a deep amber color, a bold, malty palate, and a well-rounded hop finish.\u201d\u2013grittys.com; 6% abv, six-pack $8<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cKirsten Dunst\u2013everyone says she\u2019s great, but I\u2019m bored\u201d; \u201cFreddy Krueger\u2013dark, mysterious, and you always want more\u201d<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cEasy-going, warm, friendly\u2026and I would ask for this beer\u2019s number\u201d<\/p>\n

Eats<\/strong> \u201cStore-bought pumpkin pie\u201d<\/p>\n

Town<\/strong> \u201cKittery\u2013\u2019Yay! I\u2019m in Maine\u2019;<\/em> then it takes forever to get where you want to go\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Marshall Wharf Ace Hole<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmerican pale ale hopped with Sorachi Ace and Citra hop, floral, tropical fruit, spicy\u201d \u2013marshallwharf.com; 5.9% abv, on draught rotation at Great Lost Bear and Novare Res, $5\/pint<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cJohn Wayne\u2013strong flavor, like rawhide\u201d<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cFunky, unpredictable, sarcastic\u201d; \u201cBitter\u2013this beer holds a grudge\u201d<\/p>\n

Eats<\/strong> \u201cGrapefruit, apricots, stinky-feet cheese\u201d<\/p>\n

For you?<\/strong> Yes (65%)\u2013\u201dTo convince my parents I\u2019ve graduated from Bud\u201d<\/p>\n

ME-brewed?<\/strong> No (56%)\u2013\u201dToo sophisticated and trendy\u201d<\/p>\n

Label<\/strong> \u201cTastes high in alcohol, which for some is an ace in the hole itself\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Sebago Single Batch Dark Wheat Project<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBlack wheat ale brewed with roasted malts\u201d\u2013Novare Res<\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>7.5% abv, 22-oz bottle, $8<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Celeb<\/strong> \u201cSamuel L. Jackson\u2013badass mofo\u201d<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong> \u201cMaine emo-hipster\u201d<\/p>\n

Eats<\/strong> \u201cChocolate, cigarettes, charred beef\u201d<\/p>\n

For you?<\/strong> No (60%)\u2013\u201dToo much like burned toast\u201d<\/p>\n

Label<\/strong> \u201cShould be \u2018Dark & Stormy\u2019 or \u2018Snowed-In\u2019\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Bookmark<\/a><\/p>\n

send us your comments<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

November 2010
\nHow to create a beer buzz with 25 of your closest friends<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3322"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3386,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3322\/revisions\/3386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}