After numerous repeat trips to the craft beer store and many minutes spent scouring the isles for interesting new brews to try, I eventually reach a saturation point. Aside from seasonal rotations, I inevitably glaze over at the same array of familiar labels greeting me each visit. So when something new and interesting pops up on the shelf, I tend to take notice. This time it was a new offerings by Portland, Oregon-based Gigantic Brewing Company — the new kid on block on VT beer shelves. I went out on a limb, and my tastebuds are impressed. Continue reading
Tag Archives: magic hat
Beer Nerdistry: Encore Review
Some brews are sneaky. They confuse the senses, making you wonder what the hell it is you’re drinking. Encore is one such brew. A nice light wheat beer can make for a great summertime refresher, while heavier IPAs offer a little more weight that’s typically not as sessionable. Encore attempts to blend the two with some sassy flair, but while it gets off to a good start, I’m not entirely sure the end result is worth sticking around for to catch a repeat performance. Continue reading
Beer Nerdistry: Heart of Darkness Review
With its heavy blanket of snow and howling icy winds, Winter proper may be a little delayed in my cozy corner of rural Vermont. But now that the chill is finally creeping into the air and threatening intermittent blasts of inclement weather, the arrival of more season-appropriate weather brings with it a craving for heavier, darker brews to warm the belly. After spending an evening by the fire with a pint of Magic Hat’s Heart of Darkness, I can say it certainly rises to the occasion. Continue reading