Try?
We were going to see the nutcracker. Yes we were! And, you know, it was at 7PM, so first it was time for dinner, and a beer. Right around the corner from the Fox Theater is Max Lagers, so-perfect! I was with my daughter, and we got there and ordered beer while browsing the dinner menu. I decided on an IPA of a name I can’t now recall, because when I selected it our server told us we had an old beer menu. She promptly brought a new one, which did not have said IPA. But had replaced it with-Old 320 Barleywine!
Old 320 Barleywine is one of my very favorite examples of the style. It is wonderfully done, and although since moving to Canton I don’t get to enjoy it as much as I used to, I was very excited to see it on tap. Still and all, it is not the beer I like to drink with my meal, so I ordered up a Revenge of the Atomic Frog IPL to go with my dinner.
This is a tasty little India Pale Lager that was a great choice for the dish I decided on, a brisket sandwich with pork belly and crispy onion strings ($16). The clean maltiness and brisk hop bitterness cut through the fatty pork belly and melt-in-your mouth hearty brisket. Max Lagers says of the beer:
The Atomic Frog is back with a vengeance! This hoppy India Pale Lager was brewed in collaboration with our friends at Red Brick Brewing. Hopped with Bravo, Calypso, Huell Melon, and a new experimental hop (#09326) from Hopsteiner; this brew overflows with notes of citrus, pineapple, and melon.
A little on the hops. Bravo hops are related to the Zeus varietal, and are often described as Earthy, herbal and grassy. Calypsos are a fine bittering hop with citrusy notes, and Huell Melon add an expected note of melon. No idea about the experimental variety.
Max Lagers Revenge of the Atomic Frog IPL has an alcohol content of 7.9% by volume with 40 IBUs. It was $6 for a pint. Red Brick brews a beer called Atomic Frog India Pale Lager.
My glass of Revenge of the Atomic Frog IPL arrived a beautiful pale golden color with a thick fluffy white head and citrus and melons in the nose. Sipping, the palate is smooth and clean malty, biscuity with citrus and earthy grassy hops leading into a very bitter finish.
A tasty little IPL indeed, I enjoyed it very much and as mentioned previously, an excellent choice to match with my meal of house-smoked brisket.
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
