Three's Company

OMG have I had some great beer lately!

It's been a while since my last post, and even though each one of these beers should have their own individual post, I'm going to lump them all together, because I love them all three almost equally, and they are all three IPA's.

I'll start with the Sorta IPA from Tailgate Brewery. Tailgate is a Nashville brewery and I've reviewed one of their beers before (Blacktop Blonde). I was at a local restaurant and saw that they had Sorta on tap. I asked the bartender about it, and she offered me a sample. I took one sip and I knew before I'd finished the tiny glass she'd given me that I liked it - a lot. I ordered a tall 20-ouncer. Delicious. The perfect beer to have with wings, burgers, fried pickles, just about anything. It's a low-alcohol IPA, only 5%. All the better. I can have more! It's a mellow tasting IPA that's not bitter, has a bit of a citrus flavor and doesn't hit you upside of the head with hoppiness. Go get some now. Yes, it comes in a can, but don't let that deter you. I got over the "I must have my beer in bottles or from the tap syndrome" quite a while ago. 

The second is Bell's Brewery's Two Hearted Ale. Recommended by my pal, Sir Richard Hunter, who got me the Newport Storm Brews that I have raved about previously. I thought if he liked it, it must be good. Oh yeah. Was he ever right. I think they should re-name it "Magic Ale", because they must be using some kind of magic to brew this fine ale. It's got it all going on in just the right measure. The perfect balance of hops, malt, and pixie dust. I don't know if it's the water up there in Michigan where it's brewed, or what. But whatever it is, it works and I will be buying many more Two Hearted Ales.

The third is Lagunitas Maximus. This is another one of those happy accidents that occur sometimes. My lovely wife (who is not a beer drinker) mentioned she was going to stop by my favorite beer store (to pick up a bottle of wine) and asked if I wanted her to pick up some beer (by the way, the answer to that question is always "yes"– even if I have beer in the fridge). I had tried a Lagunitas Chzec Style Pils that I really liked, so I asked her to pick up a six pack of that. I spelled "Lagunitas" for her, and "Pils". I told her it has "PILS" huge in all caps on the carton. Then I made the mistake. I told her it has a little dog's face on the label and the carton. Well, when she went in the store, she was looking for the beer with the little dog's face. Of course, Lagunitas puts the little dog's face on all of their brews (of which there are many), so... she grabs the first one she sees with the dog's face and brings it home.  It was Maximus Ale. I read the label and it sounded like something I wouldn't like. She offered to take it back the next time she was out, but I thought I'll give it a chance. If nothing else I could take with me to the next holiday get-together I attended and leave it in their fridge. 

I finally cracked one open a few days later and "ding ding ding ding ding" we have a winner! I was expecting an overpowering, smelly, bitter ale and it was none of those. There are hints of pine and hops, and they have kept it all reigned in and made one fine brew. It's got a rather high alcohol content (8.75%), so it should be enjoyed in moderation, but it's one tasty brew.

There's no way I'm going to be able to pick a favorite of the three. It's like choosing your favorite child or your favorite Beatles song. It's just not possible. I would say definitely try all three. If you're not an IPA fan, or you're on the fence about IPA, maybe go with Sorta IPA first. If you like that one, you'll LOVE the other two.

Would I buy this beer again? Big YES on all three

All three score BIG on...