Since this is a special month, and the month of October containing Halloween, it calls for a couple beer reviews. First up, “Zombeer” by Nightshift Brewing out of Everett, MA.
This IPA is what I call a mild IPA and I like that. It has hints of orange and guava and as a citrus lover, I dig (my hands out of the ground for) that. I don’t particularly like Double IPAs and strong, burnt IPAs and so I like this one because it’s tolerable, refreshing and not harsh enough that it takes away from me enjoying it with my food. For those hard core IPA lovers, this beer might not be your favorite IPA but it is a solid beer. It’s absolutely worth a special trip to their brewery for a pick up. I give it a 8.1 out of 10. The can is black with yellow and orange coloring. It shows a “person”’s silhouette walking towards you on an abandoned street-lit, road. It’s spooky and foreboding, perfect for the special edition release in October. This is one IPA that left me crawling towards another!
Second beer selection this month is out of Portland, Maine, brought to you by Allagash Brewing Company. It’s a limited edition Halloween beer called “Haunted House”.
Allagash’s “Haunted House” beer has a haunting Alcoholic volume of 6.66%, keeping with the horror theme. As far as taste goes, it is very malty and contains hints of coffee. I’m a huge coffee lover so that is what made this beer most enjoyable for me. I don’t like beers that are too bitter and this malted concoction of coffee bitterness made for a smooth gulp. I’ve been to Allagash Brewery in Portland a couple times and I really enjoy their brewery. I’ve been on the tour and taste tested flights in their tap room in years past. It’s a fun place. I personally like their Allagash White beer a lot and knew this brewery was a class act when I sought out to try their “Haunted House”. The can had some Halloween-y colors incorporating a purple background with the outline of woods in black. Then the letters “HH” that was angled with a roof over it standing for Haunted House. I personally was hoping for more of a prominent house on the can but overall I like the colors. I give this beer a 6.66 out of 10. Just kidding, I wanted to poke fun of the theme there…I more accurately give it a 7.6 out of 10. Overall, this is a very hoppy, dark ale that is sure to haunt your taste buds with an enjoyable bitterness.
To find out more about Nightshift Brewing, visit their website HERE & follow them on Twitter @NightShiftBeer
Then to find out more about Allagash Brewing Company, visit their website HERE & follow them on Twitter @AllagashBrewing
Both breweries are enjoyable and fun to visit. I've been to both numerous times so I highly recommend!
Additionally you can now follow me on Untapped, the beer app. My username is ProducerLightning
Have a scary good Halloween everyone!
-Producer Lightning