I should probably admit right up front that just a few months ago I completed one of the more rewarding and amazing hikes that I’ve ever done. I should also admit that this hike was to the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail which just happens to be Mt. Katahdin and that just happens to be in Baxter State Park. So as you can imagine, I was more than a little excited when a care package arrived at mybeerbuzz headquarters from Baxter Brewing in Lewiston, ME. (https://www.baxterbrewing.com/)
Naturally I had more than a few beers while I was visiting Maine, and naturally quite a few of them were from Baxter Brewing, so I was surprised to see that the cans looked so different when I opened the box. Turns out Baxter Brewing has just launched what they are calling a “revolution” (rather than a rebrand) and all of their classic beers now have new packaging. According to Baxter, they are going back to their “Maine identity” and having just been to Maine for several weeks, I see what they mean.
Before I pop the tops, I should mention how good the cans look. I like the new designs not just from an outdoors and hiking point of view, but also from a “standing out in the beer coolers” point of view. The designs are classic and unique, and the colors are bold and attractive…and if these cans don’t make you want to get out and hike Mt Katahdin or Acadia National Park, or even explore some of the back country roads in Maine, nothing will.
Baxter Brewing was nice enough to send along Stowaway IPA, Logger Road lager, Staycation Land brilliant lager & Couple More Miles IPA…and as much as I’m enjoying the cans, I can’t wait to enjoy the beer….so off we go…
Baxter Brewing Logger Road
ABV: 3.9%
Style: Mexican-lager
Packaging: 12oz Cans
Appearance: Clear & bright gold
Aroma: Mild biscuit
Mouthfeel: Crisp & effervescent
Taste: Clean, subtle malt, mild cracker
Overall: Baxter Brewing Logger Road is a really crisp, clean and drinkable lager with really subtle flavors and aromas.
Baxter Brewing Staycation Land
ABV: 4.9%Style: Brilliant lager
Packaging: 12oz Cans
Appearance: Crystal clear gold
Aroma: Traditional lager malts and biscuit
Mouthfeel: Crisp but delicate
Taste: Classic flavors of a European lager with a mild spice twist.
Overall: Baxter Brewing Staycation Lager reminds me of many of the classic European lagers. The beer is crisp, clean well balanced and really drinkable.
Baxter Brewing Couple More Miles
ABV: 5.9%
Style: IPA
Packaging: 12oz Cans
Appearance: Enticing orange amber with slight haze
Aroma: Mild citrus & hop aromas
Mouthfeel: Crisp & clean
Taste: Citrus, grapefruit, mild resin & biscuit
Overall: Baxter Brewing Couple More Miles reminds me of many of the early west coast hoppy pale ales. The beer is well balanced but still hop-forward and juice-forward with a mild piney resinous finish.
Baxter Brewing Stowaway
ABV: 6.9%
Style: IPA
Packaging: 12oz Cans
Appearance: Bright deep orange/amber color
Aroma: Resinous, grapefruit & hops
Mouthfeel: Soft with slightly lower carbonation
Taste: Stick resinous piney flavors, grapefruit with slightly sweet malt.
Overall: Baxter Brewing Stowaway is a classic IPA with just the right amount of resinous dank hop, balanced out with a touch of grapefruit and a touch of sweet malt. The beer is really well balanced while still accentuating the dry-hopping flavors we’ve come to expect in Stowaway.
A big thank you to Baxter Brewing for giving me a great reason to reminisce about my Maine hiking trips and also for some great beers to enjoy. Be sure to get out there and look for the new packaging for Stowaway, Logger Road, Staycation Land & Couple More Miles…and try them for yourself. And when you do taste them, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
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