Based out of Vermont, and recovering from their brewery burning down, I decided to give them a shot. It’s a medium bodied lager but will be serving as the “lighter” beer option opposite Smutty’s “Robust Porter”.

It’s also worth noting that in last month (Dec. ’09) they were purchased by Long Trail Brewery, who is owned by Anheuser-Busch (or was it Coors?).

The beer has a decent rating of “B” on Beer Advocate with 65 reviews. I haven’t had their beer in ages but I remember them being pretty good.

5.0% ABV

Here’s what Otter Creek writes about it;

A classic European style lager. We take the time to brew this beer as a true lager should be brewed. And it’s well worth the wait!
You can enjoy the drinkability of this light-gold, refreshing beer with friends at the pub or at home after a long day.
OG: 1048, IBU 26

Kicked sometime mid-March after approximately 2.5 months.  Needless to say, it was not a popular beer.

Categories: Otter Creek, Past Brews
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I love their “Old Brown Dog”. We’ve served it three times, most recently (Dec ’09) lasting only one week, but I wanted to switch it up. The “Robust Porter” has an impressive “A-“ rating on Beer Advocate with over 600 reviews so I imagine it’s a solid competitor to the “OBD”.  We’ll see….

Here’s what Smuttynose has to say about it;

GOLD MEDAL WINNER – Porter , 2001 Great American Beer Festival
JUDGED GRAND CHAMPION – Best Porter in the USA – 10th Annual US Beer Tasting Championship

This hearty, mahogany colored ale is brewed to evoke the dark, full-bodied ales that were a favorite of dockworkers and warehousemen (hence the name “Porter”) in 19th century London. It is a good bet that when Dickens’ Mr. Pickwick sat down for a pint, we would have been drinking an ale much like our Robust Porter.This is a smooth and very drinkable beer, characterized by its well-balanced malt and hops, plus subtle notes of coffee and chocolate.
“Full-bodied and malty with undertones of coffee and chocolate and a bright, hoppy finish, in style it’s like Cary Grant’s accent: the best of British and American.” – The Boston Globe, November, 2005

VITAL STATISTICS
OG: 1064 TG: 1018
Grain Bill: pale 2-row, carastan, dark crystal, special “B,” chocolate
Hops: Cascade
IBU’s: 15
Color/Number: Dark chocolate brown
ABV 5.7%

Kicked during the Super Bowl, 2/7/2010.

Categories: Past Brews, Smuttynose
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Yes, it’s third appearance.  I think it’s safe to say that it’s an annual winter tradition and that it’s consistently one of the most popular beer served.

Smuttynose’s description of this beer; “Old Brown Dog has been cited as a classic example of the “American Brown Ale” style of beer. Compared to a typical English Brown Ale, Old Brown Dog is fuller-bodied and more strongly hopped. Old Brown Dog has been around for many years. It was first brewed in 1988 at the Northampton Brewery. In 1989 it won a silver medal in its category (American Brown Ale) at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.”

Kicked 12/31/09 after just 9 days to become the fastest consumed beer ever.

Categories: Past Brews, Smuttynose
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Berkshire describes this beer as,”A full bodied dark Ale with pleasant chocolate/roasted malt flavor with a slight malty sweetness that is balanced with a delicate hop bitterness, flavor and aroma. A smooth and memorable taste experience. 6.2%”.

It has a “B+” rating on BeerAdvocate.

Tapped 11/13/09 and paired with BBC’s “Cabin Fever Ale”.  Kicked 12/13/09, after 30 days.  Good beer – I might actually like it better than BBC’s Coffeehouse Porter.

Categories: Berkshire, Past Brews
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Berkshire says, “Copper amber in color, this medium bodied ale has a great balanced flavor. A fruity spicy hop finish compliments in malty caramel taste. Think of English pale ale dry hopped with German Tettnang hops. This ale was made to sustain you during the long New England winter. 6.3%

Cabin Fever is one of our winter seasonals. Cabin Fever comes out in the beginning of November. Seasonals last as long as our inventory does.”

This beer has a “B+” on BeerAdvocate.

Tapped 11/13/09 it is paired with BBC’s “Drayman’s Porter”.  Kicked 12/31/09.  Good beer for sure – made a nice light beer that wasn’t overly spiced for the holidays.

Categories: Berkshire, Past Brews
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This will be the 6th keg of BBC we’ve had on tap, and this one is rated a “B+” on BA.  (Closing in on all of their beers.)

“This lager is brewed using true German hops and yeast. The orange-amber hue is reminiscent of the coming fall foliage. Berkshire Brewing Company Inc. “fest” is malty, smooth, and finishes with hints of spice and a subtle hop flavor. 6.8%

Oktoberfest is our fall seasonal. Oktoberfest comes out in August. Seasonals last as long as our inventory does.”

Tapped: 9/27/09

Kicked: 10/31/09

Categories: Berkshire, Past Brews
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