12% Imports

This is one of those posts where I took the pictures so long ago that I don't have much input about the beer itself. I do feel like these are under appreciated breweries and the beers go largely unnoticed for a number of reasons. These are all property of 12% imports, which is an importer, like a distributor inside of a distributor. They pulse their products into the market based on a pre sell system that make many customers uncomfortable, and see limited distribution. Its a shame these incredible breweries don't get wider spread brand recognition because they release some very good beers.

Off Color Brewing - Sparkles and Trouble - Chicago Illinois - http://www.offcolorbrewing.com/. Off Color produces very delicate beers mostly belgian or german influence, some wild fermented beer and added fermentables often to create unique combinations. I have reviewed Dino Smores before by them which I didn't particularly care for, but these saisons, farmhouse, and gose beers are top notch. So if you tire of IPA's and malt bombs pick up a saison from these guys.


Against the Grain - Coq De La Marche - Louisville Kentucky - http://www.atgbrewery.com/

Evil Twin Brewing - No Hero - Brooklyn New York - http://eviltwin.dk/

Spank (Smuttynose Brewing)

Happy 21st birthday to Smuttynose Brewery, from New Hampshire. This beer was a complete label buy. After read a little about the brewery, it's good they have a sense of humor. If you remember the setting of the good son with Macaulay Culkin, the shard cliffs of shear dreary rocks. That sounds exactly like where this brewery is in New England. In the 1870's Smuttynose island was even the setting for a gruesome double axe murder. I have to admit that my Smuttynose experience is limited to old brown dog, and finest kind IPA. I have been making efforts to try more of their beers, and this seemed like something there were proud of.

I have become more tolerate of Saisons as of recent. I try to stay away from the ones that seem very peppery. I have several that become almost undrinkable once the spice warms up. I grabbed this spank fresh and I am glad I did. The hops seemed very alive in this beer and showed up in the very beginning of the final act on my palette but faded cleanly. The malt in this beer was hearty yet light enough to allow the hops to shine. It has been over a month since I have drank this beer, but I believe the price point was fair at about $9 for the 22oz bottle. 

Lots of other interesting offerings have been popping up from Smuttlabs, including a brett beer. I will be tasting plenty more from these folks. You should check them out as well https://smuttynose.com/