So many breweries, so little time! What a problem to have, but I do. I wouldn’t have imagined it only a few decades ago when the craft beer revolution in America was still young, but today it’s very true indeed. Breweries are popping up everywhere you look, and I know I can’t keep up with them all. Often, I have to pass on hitting some of them when I’m out and about, because I want to spend time at others.
All that said, after enjoying a few beers and the smell of stewing malt at Portland’s D.L. Geary brewery, there was no way I was passing up a stop at Allagash Brewing Company. It’s literally right across the street, and when two great breweries are that close, there’s just no excuse for missing out. So I went over to see Allagash for a small tour of their very impressive brewhouse, and enjoyed a few beers while I was there. One of these was Allagash House Beer.
I’ve been an Allagash fan since there was an Allagash brewery, but this was the first time I’ve managed to tour the brewery. Good news for brewery fans who want to try their beers: they’re free here! That’s right, Allagash will treat you to a sampler of 4 3-ounce beers (they added a fifth in my case), and they only ask that if you enjoy them you consider buying some to take home. I didn’t buy here, not because I don’t love Allagash beer, but because they’re readily available in Georgia and I am a frequent Allagash drinker there.
I tasted these beers here:
House Beer
Saison
Confluence
Black
Zoe Zoe
Allagash says the following of their house beer:
House Beer - Allagash House beer is a beer brewed in the tradition of Belgian house beers. House beers, or "pater" beers are typically low alcohol beers brewed for the employees of the brewery to drink after a hard day on the job.
Allagash House beer is bright golden with a fluffy white head. The aroma has hop derived pear and grapefruit notes. The flavor is clean with a slight malt presence and a lingering hop bitterness.
Allagash House Beer has an alcohol content of 4.5% by volume, and you can only get this beer at the brewery. Nowhere else.
My glass of Allagash House Beer arrived a brilliant golden color with a soft white head and a bit of funk and citrus hops in the nose. Taking a sip, the beer had a soft, clean biscuit malt palate with house yeast notes, a hint of dry spice and fruity hops with a balancing bitterness.
A great little beer that is a perfect afternoon sipper, or early evening as was the case for me. Would that I had bought a bottle to bring back to my house, but as it is I’m glad I tried it in theirs.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft