The more I used Untappd, the more immersed I became in the ever-expanding and already immense world of craft beer. As I rated beers, I wanted to know more about how to properly do so, so I began reading how to do it. I researched beers and what types of hops, malts, and yeasts make distinct beer styles. Thus, my hobby became a passion.
Over the next few blog posts, I’ll discuss my passion with you by discussing some of my favorite beers, the highest-rated beers I’ve personally consumed and my favorite brewpubs/breweries that I’ve visited. However, for this post I’m only going to discuss my five favorite unique beers.
Top 5:
I ordered my top 5 in terms of the date that I first experienced them. They are not the highest-rated beers I’ve ever consumed and cicerones and experienced craft beer drinkers likely would not label them the best of their style. The five beers listed below are some of the my favorite beers, from small brewpubs/microbreweries that I’ve found most appealing to my palette.
1: Willoughby Brewing: Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter Willoughby, Ohio
This beer was the first craft brew that I ever fell in love with. It smells of freshly roasted coffee and chocolate. It drinks the way it smells, but with the added delight of slight peanut butter flavors. If you're ever in the Eastern Ohio area and see this beer on tap, make sure you grab some. It's light abv allows the flavors to really rush forth from this beer.
2: Bullfrog Brewery: Segundo Plaga Williamsport, Pennsylvania
A unique Saison/Farmhouse Ale aged in tequila barrels. Admittedly, I am not a fan of tequila, but the agave/tequila flavors in this beer made for splendid drinking. The scent is full of tequila/agave aromas and the flavor matches the nose. Bullfrog is excellent at making diverse Saisons with various fruit flavors and blends.
3: Zero Gravity Craft Brewery/American Flatbread: Gose the Destroyer Burlington, Vermont
Perhaps this beer is the beneficiary of a fantastic experience, but I doubt it. This was my first introduction into the Gose style of beer. It is slightly sour, but more noticeable is the added English sea salt and coriander. I loved the beer when I had it and it has led to my new favorite style. I've never been to the Mediterranean Sea, but I imagine this is what the air tastes like out there.
4: Market Garden Brewery: ADHA 871 Cleveland, Ohio
Named after the experimental ADHA 871 hop, this beer is bursting with minty, grassy, earthy and herbal tones. It is very resinous and the malt complements the hop profile very well. Drinking this beer reminds me of an early-morning tee time on a slightly foggy golf course, lightly covered in morning dew.
5: Nodding Head Brewery and Resturant: Lava Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
To date, this is certainly the most unique beer I've ever tasted. An American Blonde Ale brewed with lavender and vanilla. Wow! The aroma is overwhelmingly lavender with slight hints of vanilla. It has one of the nicest noses of any beer I've ever had. The flavor assaults your palate with lavender flavors but its rescued by vanilla and balanced by light-to-moderate malts. I loved this beer and wrote a note for the brewer asking for some tips in creating something similar for my next home-brew project, but have not yet heard back.
Now for your thoughts: Have you had the opportunity to try any of these beers? What are some of the most uniquely delicious beers you've had the pleasure of drinking? Post below so we can discuss!
Cheers until next time,
KevBot
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