OK, so here we go again. Anheuser Busch, part of the global AB Inbev conglomerate, just bought another craft brewery. It was just announced today that AB is buying Colorado’s Breckenridge Brewery I think, or at least I just saw the story pop up, and I’m usually pretty much on top of these things. What does that have to do with Blue Point New York Oyster Stout, the beer I’m about to tell you about currently? A lot really, since AB Inbev acquired the Blue Point Brewery almost a year ago in February 2014.
So far, the beer hasn’t suffered for it, at least not if Blue Point New York Oyster Stout is any indication. And to me, that’s really what’s important: the quality of the beer. We live in a world where mergers and acquisitions are fact of life in almost every industry. Why should beer be any different? It’s something we’ll be seeing more of, and need to get used to.
Anyway, I for one am really enjoying my mug of Blue Point New York Oyster Stout. It’s a very limited brew from Blue Point and not really mentioned on their website. I found it on tap at Taco Mac here in Canton, and they have this blurb describing it:
A dark, full-bodied beer. Strong in nature, dry in character. Topped with a traditional rich, creamy head, our Oyster Stout is top-fermented, making it an ale. It has a roasted malt aroma and achieves its black color and roasted flavor from roasted barley. Oyster stouts were produced by a few breweries in Great Britain for their local oyster festivals, and was higher in alcohol than the "everyday drinking" stout they normally produced. No oysters were harmed in the making of this stout.
Traditionally, an oyster stout is a very strong bodied (though not necessarily highly alcoholic) beer that pairs well with oysters. These days, a few oyster stouts are really made with oysters-Rogue Oyster Cloyster Stout one of the more notable examples. Blue Point, New York is famous for oysters (there’s a variety that bears the name, so an oyster stout designed to pair with them seems natural).
Blue Point New York Oyster Stout has an alcohol content of 5.7% by volume (per Taco Mac) and I paid a reasonable $6 for a full mug pour at Taco Mac.
My mug of Blue Point New York Oyster Stout arrived jet black in color with a medium head of creamy tan foam and chocolate and licorice in the nose. Taking a sip, the beer has lots of powdery cocoa up front and is quite roasty. The smooth medium body is peppered with licorice notes and the whole affair finishes dry roasty with gentle grassy hops poking through.
All in all, this was a delicious beer, and while I didn’t enjoy it with oysters, I can see it pairing well with them. Blue Point only, if you please.
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
(G)=Growler