Brewer Q & A (Issue 21)

92 Rating – Union Craft Brewing – Duckpin Pale Ale

Responses from Union head brewer Kevin Blodger.

Who came up with this beer's recipe?
I did (Kevin Blodger).

What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)? 
I really love everything about this beer from the nose to the crisp maltiness that runs through it to hoppy finish.

Where does this beer’s name come from?
Duckpin bowling is a Baltimore tradition that can be traced back to the early 1900s. Babe ruth supposedly told people it was his second favorite sport to baseball.

Is this your "desert island beer?"
Its so refreshing I wouldn't mind having a few of these on a desert island.

Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Hoppy Crisp and delicious.

Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
Again just the history of Duckpin Bowling which is a Baltimore Original and so is Duckpin!

91 Rating – Southbound Brewing Co. – Loving Cup

Responses from Southbound brewmaster Smith Mathews.

Who came up with this beer's recipe?
A combination of myself and Chris Geerlings, a brewer here. He brewed a pilot batch of a similar beer and I worked with him to tweak the recipe's malt and hop bills to come up with this beer that we put through the big system. When possible, we try to put many of our beers through the pilot system to test our how the ingredients work together.
 
What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)? 
The two that stick out to me in this beer are the flavor and aroma. This beer provides big whiffs of pineapple and tropical fruity funk. The flavor doesn't back down when you go to taste it. It follows through with big flavors of spice, pineapple, passion fruit, pine and woodsy aromas. We started fermentation with Brettanomyces then finished it off with a French Saison strain. Both of these dried the beer out nicely and offered up some seriously complex flavor and aroma qualities. Adding to that, we added a big dry hop of Simcoe giving it even more of an aromatic pop if you will. Its worth trying for sure.
 
Where does this beer’s name come from?
This beer is named after one of our favorite bands songs. A "Loving Cup" is a shared drink container traditionally used at weddings and celebrations that is filled with your beverage of choice then passed around. 
 
Is this your "desert island beer?"
This is one beer that I would be happy to drink on any island, including a desert island. It is extremely drinkable, very light, crisp and refreshing. I could see myself enjoying this beer hanging next to the ocean for sure.
 
Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
A boldly dry hopped Brett Saison with awesome fruity funk. 

91 Rating – Newburyport Brewing Co. – Melt Away Session IPA

Responses from Newburyport brewmaster Mike Robinson.

Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
I developed this recipe to create a beer with all of the attributes of a hoppy IPA, but at a low ABV and enough malt balance to make it a flavorful yet very drinkable brew.

What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
There’s a serious aromatic blast of fresh hops when you first crack open the can – citrusy, dank, and fruity.

Where does this beer’s name come from?
We’re hardworking New Englanders who also enjoy our laid-back downtime with family and friends. We came up with this name to associate our beer with those good times in life when you can let your cares melt away. You’ll also notice that the beer’s motto is “A sessionable India Pale Ale for year-round beach days” – another metaphor for those sunny, fun, happy-go-lucky times when you can really enjoy a crisp, delicious beer.

Is this your “desert island beer?”
Definitely. This beer offers a great balance of hops and malt and is wicked refreshing.  

Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
An easy-drinking, tasty, aromatic and flavorful beer sensation.

Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
Our brewery is situated in a quaint New England city that's a few miles from long stretches of sandy Atlantic Ocean beaches and an hour from the mountains. That’s one of the reasons we print the word “adventure” on every can. Every week, fans of this beer send us pictures of Melt Away cans on a pile of beach sand, on the edge of the local fishing pier, on the front of their ocean kayak, on a sand dune, on a rock pile, or wherever their adventures take them. It's pretty cool to see the places our fans enjoy our beer.