I grew up in Vermont, a little state in New England, USA. A breadbasket of amazing food and beer. As a young man though it was mostly Canadian or US big-brand-lager-crap. Once I started my culinary journey in the late 80s, I began exploring beer, which has so much more to work with flavour-wise than wine. Here are five of the beers that changed who I am as a person and brewer.
1. Guinness
Iconic and delicious. It has many iterations, all a little unique, but can be drank globally. I found this beer in my early 20s. A draft pour of a proper pint takes you to another place. I can say I have been splitting the G for few decades now, and hopefully for few more.
2. Allagash White
A beer I could happily drink every day. Brewer Rob Tod after working at Otter Creek in VT, decided to build a brand in Maine in the mid 90s around the unique Belgian Witbier style. It was a difficult hill to climb, convincing the lager drinkers, but he did it. Today it is iconic, incredibly consistent and refreshingly delicious. Hazy, fruity, spicy, crisp, lightly tart, hints of doughy malt to hold it together. Inspiring; to do something entirely different no matter what the difficulty in accomplishing it is.
3. Sierra Nevada Big Foot
This beer rocked my world. It was the first beer that was over the top in all their piney hoppy glory — a sticky caramel, bitter barley wine. It is partially bottle conditioned and lasts for years. A special beer. I have forgotten so many memories drinking them with friends, on snowy winter nights by a campfire.
4. Green Flash Rayon Verte
I had this for the first time at Hashigo Zake. It was during the early introduction to the Brett beer phase that didn’t last very long. This beer was amazing, the aromas and flavours from the hops playing with the yeast. Biotransformation before that became a buzz word. Dry as fuck and yummy. Also a great learning experience as the beer continued to ferment in bottle, teaching the brewing world to be careful with Brett.
5. The Alchemist El Hefe
I could write a small book of how this brewery has inspired me. It was the hardest part of leaving Vermont in 2009 and the reason I started brewing. Their beers are amazing, and their dedication to quality is unparalleled. The way the hops are showcased in their IPAs changed the world. It was the start of what “hazy” has become. In winter they brewed a dark IPA. They called it El Hefe after their cat. A 7% IPA with Simcoe hops and hints of dark malt. They would sell it on hand pull as well. It was the most delicious beer, roasty-hoppy and bitter. I miss that beer and brewery.