Chances are that most people won’t know who I’m talking about when I say Mass. Bay Brewing. Afterall, there aren’t any beers coming to market with “Mass Bay Brewing” in big letters on the can. Even though you may not know the name, I promise you, you’ve tasted their beers.
Mass Bay Brewing is the parent company for several of my favorites like Harpoon Brewery, Long Trail Brewing and Clown Shoes Beer and today we’re test driving two beers from Long Trail and 12 beers from Clown Shoes.
Having been a fan for a long time, and having just logged quite a few miles in Aug hiking the actual Long Trail in VT, I’ll admit I’m excited to sample some Long Trail Beers. Today we’re tasting an old favorite called Hibernator and a recent brew called Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout. These beers are both packaged in 12oz bottles and I’m excited to taste a new and old beers from Long Trail, so off we go.
Long Trail Hibernator
Brewery Description:
A Vermont classic, built to take the bite from a cold winter night with the rich malt base highlighted by warming notes of caramel and toffee.
ABV: 6%
Style: Scotch Ale
Packaging: 12oz bottles
Appearance: Deep amber brown
Aroma: Toffee, biscuit and caramel
Mouthfeel: Medium-light
Taste: Brown sugar, toffee, caramel and sweet malt
Overall: Hibernator is a classic Scotch Ale that I personally think was ahead of it’s time. Since the creation of this beer, there are loads of other “ator” beers but none quite the same as Hibernator.
Long Trail Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout
Brewery Description:
We’ve partnered with our fellow Vermonters over at WhistlePig to bring you this delicious Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout. Aged in WhistlePig’s Maple Whiskey Barrels, time spent on wood unveiled complex layers of decadent, sweet maple along with oak, vanilla, marshmallow & bourbon.
ABV: 10%
Style: Stout
Packaging: 12oz bottles
Appearance: Deep black/brown
Aroma: Roasted malt, maple syrup, cocoa and Whiskey
Mouthfeel: Medium and satisfying
Taste: Maple syrup, chocolate, vanilla and Whiskey
Overall: Long Trail Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout tastes exactly like you’d expect based on the name, but the combination of maple syrup, cocoa, and Whiskey really works well. The beer leans a bit sweet but it has loads of complexity and loads of flavors that rise to the top as it warms. This is simply a great stout.
Up next we’re diving into the 12 Beers Of Christmas from Clown Shoes beer. This variety pack includes 12 cans of unique and rare Clown Shoes beers in a festive holiday 12-pack. The featured beers include Space Cake Double IPA (9%-AbV), Galactica Dank Nebula West Coast IPA (7.2%-AbV), Mad Perf Sesh Session IPA (5.2%-AbV), Mango Kolsch (5.5%-AbV), Tecoh’s Mexican Cerveza (5.4%-AbV), Aurora Orangealis IPA w/orange zest (7%-AbV), Coconut Sombrero Mexican Stout (7%-AbV), One Man Holiday Belgian Quad (8%-AbV), Reindeer Games Bavarian IPA (7%-AbV), Blaecorn Yuledragon Spiced Imperial Stout (9%-AbV), Royal Standard Wee Heavy (8%-AbV) & Burnt Caramel Brown Ale (7%-AbV).
Rather than trying to review all twelve beers individually, I’ll highlight the pack itself. Each of these beer is unique and I’m excited to report they range in styles from IPAs to stouts, brown ales, Wee Heavy’s, Belgian-style quads and even a Mexican-style lager. This pack is not only a wonderful way to sample some rare Clown Shoes beers but also a great variety pack to share with friends and family over the holidays. This pack would also make a great gift for any beer lover. I enjoyed all 12 beers, but my personal favorites were the One Man Holiday Belgian Quad, The Aurora Orangealis IPA and the Reindeer Games Bavarian IPA. These beers range from 5.2%-AbV to 9%-AbV and there’s definitely something for everyone in the pack.
Long Trail Hibernator, Long Trail Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout and the Clown Shoes 12 Beers Of Christmas are available now in 12oz bottles and 12oz cans respectively so get out there and try them for yourself. And when you do try them, be sure to let us know what YOU think. zzubreebym
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