Welcome back.
Welcome back to campus, welcome back to Maine, welcome back to America. Regardless of where you've been for the past one or six months, you may have noticed some national changes over the past couple of days. What better way to celebrate the new semester in Maine and our new president then with some local brews with a patriotic theme?
The following beers are not only themed, but all three are very solid beers. If one of your New Year's resolutions included getting into nice bottled beer since your roommate thinks you're a pansy for drinking Mike's Hard Lemonade, or if you just want to take the first steps away from alcohol from cans and toward beer snobbery, then any of the three should be helpful for your journey. All three below support your local brewers, and all three are available all year almost anywhere you can buy beer in Maine.
Casco Bay Riptide Red
This is an Irish Red Ale from Casco Bay Brewing, brewed in Portland, Maine, out of Shipyard Brewing Company. It's a nice, clean mahogany color with a malty smell. It has a combating combination of sweetness and a roasted malty taste not exactly blended together into one flavor. Their separate but simultaneous presence gives the beer a taste that is not overpowering but reminds you that you're drinking a beer.
It's viscous but paired with a perfect carbonation to bring out the flavor. Perhaps most importantly is the drinkability of the beer. Now, I'm not going to entirely disagree with the Bud Light definition of "drinkability" (great taste mixed with not filling you up), although I have my doubts about how drinkable Bud Light is. This beer, like the ones mentioned below, not only has the solid taste that helps you enjoy your current beer, but includes nothing unpleasant that'll stop you from having the next one. When you stop is probably based on your other New Year's resolutions.
Allagash White
I may have already professed my love for Allagash White before, and Allagash Brewing Company in general, but this still deserves a well-earned spot in theme and in taste. Allagash White is a Belgian White Beer widely recognized in circles honoring microbrews, Maine brews, and Belgians. Just as Riptide Red is the best seller of Casco Bay, White is the favorite of Allagash consumers. It's a murky, golden-hued beer, almost like pineapple juice. The murkiness is unfiltered wheaty goodness, which complements the mixed-in spices and somewhat fruity taste. Nothing here is overwhelming but there is definitely a sense that something complicates the flavors. White is the priciest choice of the three. A four-pack will cost as much as a six-pack of another, but the lack of quantity is made up in the quality.
Sea Dog Blue Paw
This blueberry ale is a good way to start drinking beer. It is one of the best exemplars of a fruity beer because it tastes so much like the blueberry it claims to have. It is a sweet beer?good especially for a dessert?and the blueberry taste is apparent at the first sip and lingers pleasantly after you're done. The nutty quench of wheat ale in the background balances everything out, and at times you might be convinced you're drinking a muffin. Sea Dog has tried other fruit wheat ales, including apricot (à la Magic Hat No. 9) and raspberry, but neither compares to the successful brew that is Blue Paw. Sea Dog has a brewpub across the bridge in Topsham which makes this beer easily accessible fresh and it is definitely worth the trip. For bonus points, you can also try to layer Blue Paw with a stout like Guinness, creating the delicious "Black and Blue" (à la black and tan).
For some of us this is our last semester. Let's all begin this last chapter at Bowdoin and this new chapter in history. Some red, white and blue ales seem appropriate, especially from Maine breweries. Stimulate the economy and stop global warming: drink local beer.