By Clem McAuliffe
PUT A SWIG IN YOUR STEP THIS SPRING!
W
ell, we have made it through another long winter, only to be rewarded with our yearly Muddy Gras here in the Big Messy. I’ve changed my shoes so many times, I started singing a familiar tune, “It’s a beautiful day in the brewery. A beautiful day for a NEIPA. Would you be mine; could you be mine; won’t you be my NEIPA,” sans cardigan. My spring cleanup mainly consists of collecting all the lost dog toys now visible after the snow melts, and cleaning out my beer fridge in the basement, being sure to practice what I preach, FIFO (first in, first out). I’ll be making room for a new slew of brews. Granted, it’s a way more fun chore than finding room for
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snow tires, but it doesn’t carry the same weight on the chore scale. So, I won’t be expecting any homemade meatballs for a job well done. Nonetheless, I shall bravely rummage through my refrigertory receptacle, carefully clearing out my coffers for I know what treasures lay ahead. The spring specials being served up at Saco River Brewing in Fryeburg, Maine are a great motivator for those rainy-day doldrums. Starting with a perfect transitional brew, their Munich Style Dunkel is a 5% ABV clean drinking German-style brown lager that’s malty and refreshing. I wish my transitions were this smooth! Another German-style lager is their Maibock, pronounced “my
bock.” This seasonal delight is brewed months in advance and then released in May to celebrate the arrival of spring. Light malt body, a touch of hop spice, and the 7% ABV fill out the full palate. In my brain, Maibock means “my beer,” so keep your mitts off my Maibock! Saco River has been doling out a heavy dose of lighter lagers and loving them. Munich Helles (light lager), Pilsner (hoppy lager), Schwarzbier (black lager), and Kolsch (none-of-the-above lager). Plus, they haven’t slowed down on their luscious IPA production. Thank you, baby Jesus! Added to their already deep bench of flagship IPAs is Tourist Trap Imperial IPA. Chock full of gaudy Citra, much too much
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