I've been a fan of Allagash's White for a long time, but have only started exploring some of their other offerings in the past year or so. This trip was definitely a treat to see inside a smaller size brewery still on its way up and witness the craftsmanship firsthand. There were just seven of us on a midweek tour, which made hearing the guide and asking questions so much easier. Our guide was also very nice and was able to answer every question I had, even those semi-technical ones. Their barrel room was quite impressive for such a small brewery with all their experimental beer. Although a very simple tour, its intimacy was superb. Well worth the short drive out of the main Portland area and the price of admission (free).
The tasting before the tour was definitely tops in terms of quality and quantity of beer, although I felt a little rushed trying to down some high alcohol beers. That possibly could've been because I was also finishing off the wife's beer as well. The Curieux, which I have been wanting to pick up for a long time was a real treat to taste as was the new Fluxus just released that week. I have tried other beers before that had been aged in old whiskey and wine barrels and was never all that impressed with the amount or type of flavors produced. The Curieux, however, was a definite delight with a strong aroma and flavor of vanilla from the bourbon that gave the base Tripel more depth. The Fluxus I am unfortunately having a hard time remembering much about. Possibly since the Curieux took up much more of my attention. We also tried the White and the Tripel, which seemed to be lighter in flavor than I am typically used to for the style. Both very refreshing though. I also picked up a bottle of their Confluence, which resembled the Tripel very closely with not much of the funkiness I was expecting from the brettanomyces they use in this ale.
Oh what a day it was to go on the tour at Sam Adams. The heat was sweltering on this day and waiting around for an hour and a half for our tour to start in the unairconditioned brewery with numerous other sweaty people was not looking like this was going to be a pleasnt experience. Thank goodness they were tasting some test releases outside in the shade. The maple-pecan porter was very tasty with a light roastiness and overall malt sweetness that did surprisingly well despite the heat. Hopefully that wins over the oaked ale, which I didn't find all that interesting.
We were fortunate enough to be the last ones to fit on the free trolley to Doyle's, which allowed us to be first off and able to grab a seat at the bar, get a quick beer (with a free sam adams glass, woo!), cool off, and head back to the brewery.
After snagging a couple of items at the now sparsely populated gift shop, our tour started off. There were a lot of us, so sometimes it was hard to hear and forget about asking a question if you end up at the back. Fortunately I didn't feel the desire to ask any. The guides were really nice and a lot of fun, especially when we got into the tasting room and had three taster size glasses of beer, including their Koggen which they have never released for sale. First up though, the Boston Lager. I have to say that I am not the biggest fan of their Boston Lager typically, but the one I had here fresh from the brewery was really quite good with great balance and not as much bitterness as I typically remember. And I don't think this was just the heat talking.
Second up was the Summer Ale, which I have enjoyed since they released it a few years ago. Although nothing particularly special, a great wheat beer to quench your summer thirst without compromising flavor.
Our last tasting was put up to a vote of the room. Fortunately the room nearly unanimously went for the Koggen to take advantage of this rare chance to try an unreleased beer. It was described as a Hef style beer and is supposedly one of the oldest recipes developed by the brewery. The clarity, aroma, and flavor was much lighter that a typical Hef though. It still had the primary wheat malt flavor, but it wasn't very strong and didn't stick around long on the palate. I asked our guide why it had never been released and he said that they were keeping it in their pocket if the market demand for Hef style beers grew, then they may consider releasing it. Although that may make sense, due to its relatively light taste, I would think that this would be a good beer to bring in average beer drinkers to the brand. Due to their heritage though, maybe they have a bit of a disdain for average beer and those that drink it. Overall this was a pretty good tour that is appropriate for beer novices and connoisseurs alike that leaves you with a better appreciation for beer and the Sam Adams brand.
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