Friday Night Beers

Couple of busy weeknights and holiday parties this weekend call for a quiet Friday night in.  Couple of good beers and a cheesy sci-fi flick cap this night off!  Oh, did I happen to mention the beers may just be from the coolest named brewery in Massachusetts, perhaps the universe?  SLUMBREW!  Yeah, if you know the greater Boston area, you know the nickname for Somerville, where these dudes are from.  Brand new to the scene this year and already kicking ass.

Beer #1 (but their 2nd release) - Happy Sol - 5.5% ABV and 18 IBUs.  A unique swing on the usual Hefeweizen.  Not only brewed with wildflower honey, orange peel and coriander, but this batch alone used over 1000 blood oranges.  DAMN!  Gorgeously hazy and golden straw in color with a nice wheat aroma followed up by fruity sweetness.. a slight tart smell provided by the blood oranges.  Certain tones of the traditional Hefeweizen come through, definite wheat grain taste, citrus, banana/clove and slight spice, but a nice sweet yet tart component comes through.  The blood oranges give this beer a great standout characteristic.  A slight lingering bitterness, floral and citrus, along with the tart sweetness leaves you wanting more!

Beer #2 - Flagraiser IPA - an Imperial IPA at 7.5% ABV and 80 IBUs.  Went this this guy 2nd so as to not overpower the lighter Happy Sol.  Sweet pale bready malts on the nose with a nice citrusy grapefruit hop aroma.  This is a super bright IPA with a resiny, yet great hop profile.  A decent amount of malt to balance it out.. light, sweet caramel predominantly come through with lighter bready malts and a nice spice note.  As it warms, the malts come out a bit more and the beer gets a bit bigger, bigger bite to it.  Simple in terms of an Imperial..but done great!  Gotta love the local scene!