SingleCut Beersmiths: I’m An Alligator

SingleCut Beersmiths: I'm An Alligator

Style: Double IPA

Special Notes: Double dry-hopped. Named after a David Bowie lyric. Formerly known as Cold Fire.

ABV: 8.2%

IBU: 126

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.15/5

“I’m an alligator, I’m a mama-papa coming for you / I’m the space invader, I’ll be a rock ‘n’ rollin’ Windowsill for you” David Bowie… sort of.

It’s common knowledge to SingleCut Beersmiths fans that owner Rich Buceta loves David Bowie. Bowie’s fifth studio album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, has been a huge influence on the Queens-based brewery’s beer names and label art. I always get a kick out of the Bowie-inspired names. Buceta really knows how to find those names, doesn’t he?

SingleCut Beersmiths: I'm An Alligator
Are you an alligator, too? (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

I’m An Alligator—formerly known as Cold Fire—is the “bigger brother” of another SingleCut IPA that has previously graced my sill, the Weird & Gilly. It’s a double dry-hopped DIPA inspired by Moonage Daydreams, a song Bowie originally recorded in 1971 with a band Arnold Corns, and subsequently re-released as the third track on Side one of Ziggy. I’m not sure what the hop recipe is for this one—SingleCut usually keeps that close to the chest—but, as the can says, it’s mega dry-hopped because “the Spiders demanded it.” Never disappoint the Spiders, I always say.

Like everything else SingleCut does, I’m An Alligator is phenomenal. Smooth, juicy and a little dank… Definitely one to chomp down on ASAP.

You know I wasn’t gonna make you Google this. Take a listen to the live version of Moonage Daydreams!

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• SingleCut Beersmiths: I’m An Alligator • “I'm an alligator, I'm a mama-papa coming for you / I'm the space invader, I'll be a rock 'n' rollin' Windowsill for you” David Bowie… sort of. • It’s common knowledge to SingleCut fans that owner Rich Buceta loves David Bowie. Bowie’s fifth studio album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, has been a huge influence on the Queens-based brewery’s beer names and label art. I always get a kick out of the Bowie-inspired names. Buceta really knows how to find those names, doesn’t he? • I’m An Alligator, formerly known as Cold Fire, is the “bigger brother” of another SingleCut IPA that has previously graced my sill, the Weird & Gilly. It’s a double dry-hopped DIPA inspired by Moonage Daydreams, a song Bowie originally recorded in 1971 with a band Arnold Corns, and subsequently re-released as the third track on Side one of Ziggy. I’m not sure what the hop recipe is for this one—SingleCut usually keeps that close to the chest—but, as the can says, it’s mega dry-hopped because “the Spiders demanded it.” Never disappoint the Spiders, I always say. • Like everything else SingleCut does, I’m An Alligator is phenomenal. Smooth, juicy and a little dank… Definitely one to chomp down on ASAP. • ABV: 8.2, IBU: 126, Rotating availability • @untappd says: 4.15/5

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Trillium Brewing Company (w/ Cloudwater Brew Co.): Exchange Student

Trillium Brewing Company and Cloudwater Brew Co.: Exchange Student

Hops: Citra, Galaxy

Malt: White Wheat, Pilsner Malt, Flaked Wheat

ABV: 8.5%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Limited (brewed once)

@untappd says: 4.18/5

Tree House last week… Trillium this week?!

Last September, I stumbled upon a collaboration release on my trip to Trillium Brewing Company’s Fort Point location. Lo and behold, when I visited this past September, another collab release was on the docket. This one was with Manchester, England’s Cloudwater Brew Co. Although I’ve seen Cloudwater all around the internet, I hadn’t yet tried anything of theirs. Glad I’m able to cross them off the list!

The Exchange Student isn’t just a collaboration of breweries, it’s also a collaboration of two separate styles. What the two breweries did was brewing a traditional German hefeweizen and a double IPA—styles familiar to the respective collaborators—and then blending them after fermentation. The result was a nice blending of fruity, juicy and hoppy flavors that was really pleasant for all my senses.

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Rock Art Brewery: 20th Anniversary Double IPA

Rock Art Brewery: 20th Anniversary Double IPA

ABV: 8.0%

IBU: 80

Availability: Limited

@untappd says: 4.03/5

Still coming strong with that VT Beer on the Windowsill!

This past June, I took a trip to Vermont. Part of that trip involved a stop at Morrisville, VT’s Rock Art Brewery. As you can see by the photos, it’s a beautiful brewery. Although the company was founded in 1997, their current facility is only seven years old. The taproom, which was womanned by a really cool lady whose name escapes me, had amazing beers. Everything was super clean, and there was art displayed all over the place. The best part? The whole place is solar powered. The folks in Vermont know how to do green!

Now for the brew. I was unable to nail down the hop recipe for the 20th Anniversary DIPA, but it’s one of the juiciest, haziest Double IPAs I’ve ever had. Really crisp and clean, with amazing hoppiness and a nice, dry finish. I had it at the taproom (see the 2 oz glass on the great big, round sill?) and brought home a can for later. So good! Perfect for a 20th anniversary brew… or any anniversary, for that matter!  If you’re in the area, go to Rock Art!

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River Roost Brewery: Glimpse

River Roost Brewing: Glimpse

ABV: 7.8%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.33/5

Wanna see what’s on the Windowsill? Why not get a glimpse…

River Roost Brewery was opened in 2016 by Mark Babson, a former brewer and quality technician in the industry. Since then, the White River Junction-based beer maker has been garnering quite a reputation for quality brewing. How did I find them? I had to pee. Yep. I was driving up to Vermont, about an hour from my destination, and I had to pee. I popped “brewery” into my GPS and found River Roost. Good thing I did, because I picked up today’s brew in the process. And I peed!

The Glimpse is definitely one of the better DIPAs I’ve had in quite some time. I was unable to find out the hop recipe before posting, but whatever the mix, it’s juicy, hazy, resinous and amazing. Of course, I could tell it was gonna be good from the tropical aromas that zoomed into my nostrils when I opened the can. Find these guys, and drink their delightful brews!

Check out the rest of the beers from my Vermont trip on Instagram!

Fat Orange Cat Brew Co.: FOC Less Monster

Fat Orange Cat Brew Co.: FOC Less Monster

Hops: Citra, Ahtanum

ABV: 8.0%

IBU: 48

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 3.91/5

Let’s see what’s on the Windowsill, right meow!

Fat Orange Cat Brew Co. is a small, seasonal farm brewery located in East Hampton, CT. Seasonal, you ask? Yep, it’s only open 9 months of the year, closing during January, February and March. I love the name of this place! It’s inspired by “Brewmaster Billy,” a former portly pet of owners Sheila Mullen and Mike Klucznik, who are married. Check out their website for more info about the brewery, including a photo of the brewery’s namesake.

The FOC Less Monster is the first beer I’ve ever had from FOC—a delicious New England style IPA brewed with Citra and Ahtanum hops. At 8%, it packs a solid punch, but it wasn’t very bitter at all. Really tasty and refreshing beer, and I love the can art!

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Burlington Beer Company: Orbital Elevator

Burlington Beer Company: Orbital Elevator

Hops: Simcoe, Mosaic, El Dorado

Malts: Oat Malt, Flaked Oats

ABV: 8.3%

IBU: 40

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.15/5

We’re getting scientific on the Windowsill today!

Have you heard of the space elevator? No, I don’t mean the thing Roald Dahl’s beloved character, Charlie, gets into in the oft-forgotten sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (although that elevator does go into orbit… so maybe it is?). Anyway, the space elevator is a potential way for human beings to travel into space using an elevator-like contraption involving, essentially, the same tech as the lift in your apartment building or office. Once the tech is available and perfected, this concept would save billions over NASA’s current strategy of launching rockets. That’s good, since we’re apparently gonna need that money for a Space Force now… you know, like G.I. Joe had…. Anywho, if you want to find out more about the “orbital elevator” concept, check out the Youtube video BBCO sent me. I can’t link here, so just google “Space Elevator—Science Fiction or the Future of Mankind?” It’s animated, and pretty awesome.

OK. We’re here to talk about the beer. The Orbital Elevator—which gets its name from Burlington Beer Company’s fascination with the space elevator concept—was really a special brew. Billed as an oatmeal Double IPA, it’s a DIPA brewed with Oat Malt and Flaked Oats. This gives the brew more of a fluffy mouthfeel, which I really enjoyed. The hops used—Simcoe, Mosaic and El Dorado—give the Orbital Elevator that tropical “fruity pebble paradise” of flavors and aromas we all love in our IPAs. Another winner from BBCO!

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The Alchemist: Crusher

The Alchemist: Crusher

ABV: 8.0%

IBU: 110

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.38/5

Crushing beers, and cans, on the Windowsill today!

Ever wonder why the symbol for The Alchemist is an R? No, it doesn’t stand for “Really awesome beer.” It’s actually not an R at all. It’s a stylistical re-imagining of the ancient alchemist symbol for fermentation. The name of the brewery was inspired by a friend of owner John Kimmich, who owned the Vermont Pub and Brewery. Kimmich has said: “In the Vermont Pub and Brewery’s old logo, there was a tiny symbol. [John’s friend] told me that it was the alchemical symbol for fermentation.” John and his wife loved that so much, they named their entire brewery after it, always trying to “turn matter into gold.”

As for the Crusher, wow. It’s a double IPA that Alchemist has been brewing since its old days as a brewpub. According to the can, hopheads were always asking for more and more hops. John gave them the Crusher. It’s super hop forward, with a really dry finish. Hazy, herbal, hoppy and delicious. I was unable to find out what hops are used, but some seem to think it’s Simcoe because of the oniony, herbal flavor and aroma. Really delicious DIPA.

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Stone Brewing: Stone I’m Peach Double IPA

Stone Brewing: Stone I'm Peach Double IPA

Hops: Loral™, Mosaic

Special Ingredients: Peaches

ABV: 8.8%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Special release

@untappd says: 3.82/5

Let’s get a little political on the Windowsill today, shall we?

Warning: this post isn’t going to be for everybody. I love Stone Brewing Company for putting this beer out, and for the message you can see on the back of this can. And no, it’s not just the tongue-in-cheek message about how to resolve our current political landscape; It’s the message of unity they preach, too. “Unite hops, peaches and each other?” I think that’s the only way to move forward. Like Stone, I want to shout “I’m Peach” from the rooftops. Instead, I’ll shout it from my Windowsill. I’m Peach today!

As supportive as I am of the message on this can, it would be a shame if the beer itself wasn’t good, wouldn’t it? The I’m Peach is a double IPA brewed with Loral™ (not Yanny) and Mosaic hops. The added peach combines wonderfully with the hops to give this beer a bright citrus and floral aroma and flavor. I wouldn’t say it’s over-the-top peachy, but it’s peachy enough for me. Even if you don’t agree with the political message of this brew, you should give it a shot. You might find our opinions to be the same on at least this one thing.

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Burial Beer Company: Gang of Blades

Burial Beer Company: Gang of Blades

Hops: Amarillo, Belma, Centennial, Columbus, Mandarin Bavaria, Simcoe

Yeast: Wild Ale

ABV: 8.3%

IBU: 65

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.06/5

I have definitely found my gang on the Windowsill today!

There’s so much to talk about when it comes to Asheville, North Carolina’s Burial Beer Company, that I’m gonna have to find more of their beer so I can talk about it all. First of all, they were founded by Jess and Doug Reiser—they’re married—and their friend and head brewer, Tim Gormley in 2013. They started as a one-barrel system and now, just five years later, they have a production brewing facility where they’ll soon be opening a new beer bar. The company’s unique branding is inspired by the few years the Reisers spent living in New Orleans. That time in the Big Easy infiltrates every pore of the brewery—from the names of the beers to the art on the cans, which are designed by David Paul Seymour. Such a great brewery!

Now, the beer. According to an interview in Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine, Gormley and the Reisers are in an “ever-going quest to create the ideal IPA for each customer.” They have come pretty close to creating mine with the Gang of Blades double IPA. It’s brewed with the scintillating combination of Amarillo, Belma, Centennial, Columbus, Mandarin Bavaria and Simcoe hops. However, there’s a twist. They used wild ale yeast for fermentation, which kind of makes this a wild-ish IPA, I guess? Whatever you want to call it, the Gang of Blades is friggin’ juicy and delicious!

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Firefly Hollow Brewing: Cone Flakes IIPA

Firefly Hollow Brewing: Cone Flakes IIPA

Kettle Hops: Zeus, Galaxy, Mosaic, Palisade, Nugget, Citra

Dry Hops: Mosaic, Galaxy, Amarillo

Grain Bill: UK Pale Malt, Gr Vienna, Special Roast

ABV: 7.7%

IBU: 85

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 3.95/5

Today’s Windowsill beer might be a part of a very balanced breakfast!

The Connecticut beer scene is growing so fast, it’s getting hard to keep track, but I didn’t want to miss out on Bristol’s Firefly Hollow Brewing. I love a good origin story, and Firefly Hollow definitely has one. Co-founders Bill Collins and Rich Loomis originally partnered up on a different endeavor, when they purchased Brew & Wine Hobby, a homebrew shop in East Hartford, CT. They soon decided owning a brew shop wasn’t enough; they wanted to own a brewery! In 2012, they started a Kickstarter, and in October of 2013, Firefly Hollow Brewing was born. Dana Bourque, who had been their first employee at the hobby shop, became head of brewing operations. Today, Dana runs the entire CT Craft Brewers Guild, too.

According to Firefly Hollow, they named this beer Cone Flakes because it’s so damn hoppy, you might as well pour yourself a bowl of hops, added beer and grabbed a spoon. I know they’re being funny, but it’s not that far from the truth. Six varieties of hops—Zeus, Galaxy, Mosaic, Palisade, Nugget and Citra—are added in the kettle, and it’s also dry-hopped with Mosaic, Galaxy and Amarillo. Hops on hops on hops! The Cone Flakes was really good! You’ll definitely want to taste this one again… for the first time!

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