Try?
Drinking beer in a brewpub is a social event as well. I’m always happy to strike up a conversation with a new acquaintance over a pint or two. It’s a credit to the drink that two people who have never met can pass the night sharing brews and conversation in the pub. It's a social phenomenon without equivalent in my estimation, and another reason why I love beer so damned much
As much as I enjoy drinking beer in the pub, I must admit that today the best place to drink a beer may in fact be at home. Here in Rhode Island as in much of the nation, the maximum blood alcohol limit permissible while operating a motor vehicle has been lowered to .08. In some areas, a drive is on to reduce it further. By no means do I advocate drunk driving. Far from it. Throwing the guy in jail that had two beers or glasses of wine after work or with dinner is not the answer in my opinion, however. It would be more effective in my view to punish those who actually do pose a threat on the roads, those caught with much higher blood alcohol levels.
Still, the law is the law, and as such I tend to do most of my imbibing at
home. Fortunately, today one can get a wide variety of fresh beers to drink
at home, and the increasingly widespread practice of bottle-conditioning
makes your odds of getting excellent bottled brew much better. There’s a lot
to be said for passing an evening at home with friends and good brew,
perhaps watching a movie in the winter or out on the deck while barbecuing
in the summer. Brewpubs these days are even getting in on the act of selling packaged beer for at-home consumption. In many states, it’s legal for a brewpub to sell a “growler”, or a half gallon bottle of beer to go. In some states such as Oregon, you can even bring in your own container and have it filled at the tap. Though Gritty McDuff’s does not sell it’s beer in growlers, you can get it to go in 22 ounce bottles and 5-liter cans. The beer is sold in six-packs in liquor stores and supermarkets too.
Gritty McDuff’s Scotch Ale pours to a deep ruby brown color with a light
head formation and a sweet malty nose. The palate is rich and malty upfront
with hints of raisin and prune, which are quickly followed by a taste of
candyish crystal malt and hints of mushroom-like, buttery Ringwood yeast
character. The finish becomes very hoppy with a respectable bitterness that
lingers on the tongue and more than balances the initial sweetness of the
beer. There’s a touch of alcohol warmth too.
My 22-ounce bottle was a great companion tonight to barbecued chicken and a
fresh garden salad bursting with vegetables and topped with blue cheese
dressing and fresh ground black pepper.
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
