Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/687045
Generational divides are fun. Thirty-one years separate my Dad and me. He drove a two-door green Fiat; I drove a seemingly endless doored wood-paneled station wagon. He played soccer in the snow, rain and hail; I peddled my mountain bike on cool fall days. He wears pleated pants that could cut bread; I enjoy mustard- colored jeans and don't eat bread. When it comes to beer, we used to be different. Yet now, we both agree to disagree on the many styles of craft beer flooding our local package store. On a quiet weekday night, we shared a six pack for the first time in a while. Was he right? Was I right? I don't consider this conversation to be a he-said, he-said discussion, but rather simply an adult evaluation of adult beverages. All of these beers were tasted blind by him, as I administered the samples via Julio's Liquors in Westboro, MA. Here's our summer six pack, for better or for worse. "The beer selection at our time was maybe fifteen percent of the selection you have now…" OSKAR BLUES BEERITO He takes a long draw of his first beer. He begins by stating that it has a "Smooth, light, flavorful, mild aftertaste. Certainly, I could have a number of these." Well, he seems to enjoy it! He goes back for more, takes another sip and then a satisfied grin reaches his face. All in all, I'd say it was a good first beer. He ends by exclaiming, "I give it a 9.25 of 10. I think I might even finish the can." I agree with my father on this beer (please note that we do NOT agree on all life things) and here's my review. Beerito pours easily with a bone white head, as it is a smooth, reddish-amber colored lager beer. It's easy on the nose, and just slightly bready and grainy. Hops are initially present with a mild bitterness, but then it allows the malt to take center stage. It starts out sweet on the mid-palate, culminating with a smooth and honey-like finish in the background. While slightly carbonated, it is just enough. VON TRAPP GOLDEN HELLES LAGER Dad takes a big whiff; it is impressive. He's starting to get into it, noting the carbonation and color. "Steady bubbles in my glass, gold looking," he says. He's really starting to feel each beer he's sampling, like he's been doing this for years! "This has more character to it than a Budweiser beer," he quips. Quickly, he reaches for a refill of the canned lager beer and a second sip is consumed. His shoulders relax, slouching back slightly into the wooden chair while taking another sip. He stares into the glass, hoping for more, and then reaches for the can to refill his vessel. Admiring the colored liquid, he proclaims, "I like it." Staring down my sample, the head maintains fluffy, white foam on top. A bright, clear, bursting straw-yellow color settles in the short glass. The aroma is focused; biscuits and nutty. It is bitter on the tongue initially, but finishes with a sweet, almost corn like flavor. German malts are prevalent and easily distinguishable. It is a very easy sipper, this year-round beer from an Austrian-inspired brewery in the hills of Stowe, Vermont. SIXPOINT JAMMER GOSE Inhaling deeply, he immediately approves of the scent. "Mmm, no hops," he exclaims. As the first sip begins, his eye twitches and appears to be in pain, grabbing his leg briefly to steady his balance in the chair. Both hands cover his face and he looks very surprised. The aroma does not appear to match the bitterness. "Is this gose beer a millennial thing? It can't be a baby-boomer thing." His mouth puckers slightly. Overall, he doesn't look impressed. This beer aroma is full of lemons and is very pleasant on my by Jean Marc Aubuchon, Certified Cicerone 42 A Six Pack with My Dad