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SingleCut Beersmiths: Double Dry-Hopped Harry Doesn’t Mind

SingleCut Beersmiths: DDH Harry Doesn't Mind

Style: Double Dry-Hopped IPA

Special Notes: Inspired by the Dire Straits song, The Sultans of Swing.

ABV: 8.0%

IBU: 88

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.19/5

“And Harry doesn’t mind if he doesn’t make a scene on the Windowsill / He’s got a daytime job—He’s doing alright.” – Dire Straits… sort of.

If you like 80s rock, you know the band Dire Straits. They’re a British rock band, formed in London in the late 70s but—at least in my opinion—their biggest hits came off of the 1985 album, Brothers in Arms. That album—the band’s only album to hit #1 on every global chart—contained the band’s only number one single, “Money for Nothing.” All that being said, today’s beer, the Double Dry-Hopped Harry Doesn’t Mind from SingleCut Beersmiths, is named after the band’s very first single, The “Sultans of Swing”, which came off of their self-titled 1979 album.

SingleCut Beersmiths: DDH Harry Doesn't Mind
The double-headed dog represents the double dry-hopping in the brew! (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

As the lyric says (paraphrasing here), Harry doesn’t really have time to hit the nightlife during the week, because he works a day job. That’s ok though, because he saves it up for Friday Night… when he plays some tunes with the Sultans of Swing. I relate to this. If there’s one thing I don’t like doing, it’s going out during the week. I like to save my drinking, eating and partying for the weekend. For you, Windowsillers. You guys are my Sultans of Swing.

As for the beer itself, what do you think I’m going to say? It’s from SingleCut and it’s DDHed. That’s literally what they do best. My can had a couple of unfortunate floaties in it, but they didn’t impact the stone fruit and bright citrus flavors, and they didn’t impact the hoppy goodness in the brew. This is a winner, and I don’t mind telling you that.

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. SingleCut Beersmiths: Double Dry-Hopped Harry Doesn’t Mind . “And Harry doesn’t mind if he doesn’t make a scene on the Windowsill / He’s got a daytime job—He’s doing alright.” – Dire Straits… sort of. . If you like 80s rock, you know the band Dire Straits. They’re a British rock band, formed in London in the late 70s but—at least in my opinion—their biggest hits came off of the 1985 album, Brothers in Arms. That album—the band’s only album to hit #1 on every global chart—contained the band’s only number one single, “Money for Nothing.” All that being said, today’s beer, the Double Dry-Hopped Harry Doesn’t Mind from SingleCut Beersmiths, is named after the band’s very first single, The Sultans of Swing, which came off of their self-titled 1979 album. . As the lyric says (paraphrasing here), Harry doesn’t really have time to hit the nightlife during the week, because he works a day job. That’s ok though, because he saves it up for Friday Night… when he plays some tunes with the Sultans of Swing. I relate to this. If there’s one thing I don’t like doing, it’s going out during the week. I like to save my drinking, eating and partying for the weekend. For you, Windowsillers. You guys are my Sultans of Swing. . As for the beer itself, what do you think I’m going to say? It’s from SingleCut and it’s DDHed. That’s literally what they do best. My can had a couple of unfortunate floaties in it, but they didn’t impact the stone fruit and bright citrus flavors, and they didn’t impact the hoppy goodness in the brew. This is a winner, and I don’t mind telling you that. . ABV: 8.0, IBU: 88, Rotating availability . @untappd says: 4.19/5

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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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SingleCut Beersmiths: Mo’ Shuggie Double Dry-Hop IPA

SingleCut Beersmiths: Mo' Shuggie Double Dry-Hop IPA

Style: Double Dry-Hopped IPA

Special Notes: The latest iteration on the SingleCut series inspired by cult guitar legend Shuggie Otis.

ABV: 7.2%

IBU: 77

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.16/5

Why settle for less, when you can have mo’?

Once again, we have a delicious IPA from SingleCut Beersmiths on the Windowsill today. The Mo’ Shuggie Double Dry-Hop IPA! This one comes courtesy of my neighbor Jesse. He told me this was his favorite beer from SingleCut, and that I had to try it. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed!

As usual, the Mo’ Shuggie gets its name because of SingleCut owner Rich Buceta’s undying love for obscure classic rock lyrics and artists. That’s not meant as any disrespect towards Johnny Alexander Veliotes, Jr. aka “Shuggie” Otis. But I, like many casual music fans I’m sure, had never heard of Otis before I started researching this beer. So who is he? Only one of the best guitarists of his day, of course. He’s a cult legend who was once asked to join the Rolling Stones on tour, and was approached by Quincy Jones to produce an album. He turned both down!

SingleCut Beersmiths: Mo' Shuggie Double Dry-Hop IPA

I’ll let you guys do your own research on this guy, but check out his song “Strawberry Letter 23.” Although Shuggie didn’t make this a hit, it became a hit when the Brothers Johnson covered it in 1977, and it has been sampled to high heaven in the decades since. Watch the video below!

None of this matters if the beer’s no good, right? SingleCut originally released a beer called the Shuggie Mini Soulbender IPA. It was a session IPA named after Otis, and a type of guitar pedal used by musicians like him for sound distortion. Several months later, they released the Mo’ Shuggie Soulbender IPA—a bigger version of the beer. Finally, in 2018, they double dry-hopped the crap out of the beer. Even Mo’ hops. Even Mo’ malts. Even Mo’ Mo’ Shuggie.

The result is a beer that’s deliciously hazy and hoppy. Great aroma, wonderful flavor. Great usage of those New Zealand hops! Just plain awesome. Go get some!

As always, you can like this one on Instagram, and follow us for more great craft beer!

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. SingleCut Beersmiths: Mo’ Shuggie Double Dry-Hop IPA . Why settle for less, when you can have mo’? . Once again, we have a delicious IPA from @singlecutbeer on the Windowsill today. The Double Dry-Hopped Mo’ Shuggie! This one comes courtesy of one of my neighbors, @jessedaignault. He told me this was his favorite beer from SingleCut, and that I had to try it. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed! . As usual, the Mo’ Shuggie gets its name because of SingleCut owner Rich Buceta’s undying love for obscure classic rock lyrics and artists. That’s not meant as any disrespect towards Johnny Alexander Veliotes, Jr. aka “Shuggie” Otis. But I, like many casual music fans I’m sure, had never heard of Otis before I started researching this beer. So who is he? One of the best guitarists of his day, of course. He’s a cult legend who was once asked to join the Rolling Stones on tour, and was approached by Quincy Jones to produce an album. He turned both down! . I’ll let you guys do your own research on this guy, but check out his song “Strawberry Letter 23.” Although Shuggie didn’t make this a hit, it became a hit when the Brothers Johnson covered it in 1977, and it has been sampled to high heaven in the decades since. . None of this matters if the beer’s no good, right? SingleCut originally released a beer called the Shuggie Mini Soulbender IPA. It was a session IPA named after Otis, and a type of guitar pedal used by musicians like him for sound distortion. Several months later, they released the Mo’ Shuggie Soulbender—a bigger version of the beer. Finally, in 2018, they double dry-hopped the crap out of the beer. Even Mo’ hops. Even Mo’ malts. Even Mo’ Mo’ Shuggie. . The result is a beer that's deliciously hazy and hoppy. Great aroma, wonderful flavor. Great usage of those New Zealand hops! Just plain awesome. Go get some! . ABV: 7.2%, IBU: 77, Rotating availability . @untappd says: 4.16/5

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SingleCut Beersmiths: Electric Blue DDH IPA

SingleCut Beersmiths: Electric Blue DDH IPA

Style: Double Dry-Hopped IPA

Special Notes: Inspired by the David Bowie song “Sound and Vision.” A bigger version of another SingleCut IPA named “Weird & Gilly.”

ABV: 7.2%

IBU: 112

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.21/5

Is it too late for a Christmas post on the Windowsill?

I don’t know, but it’s definitely been too long since I had a SingleCut Beersmiths selection on the Windowsill. For those of you unfamiliar with the Queens, New York brewery, y’all better get familiar. Whether it’s their array of hoppy, hazy, juice IPAs or their collection of delicious stouts, everything they make is awesome. Also, their brewery, and all of their beers, are named in reference to something related to classic rock.

SingleCut Beersmiths: Electric Blue DDH IPA
This beer lived up to its name. Absolutely electric! (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Owner Rich Buceta specifically loves himself some David Bowie, which is where the Electric Blue name comes from. In 1977, Bowie released his 11th studio album, “Low.” Although it wasn’t embraced initially by critics, it is considered one of Bowie’s best, and most influential, outputs. The first single off of that album was a little song called “Sound and Vision.”

It’s a bit of a somber tune in which Bowie sings the following lines: “Blue, blue, electric blue / That’s the colour of my room / Where I will live / Blue, blue.” According to Genius Lyrics, the song is about someone who is depressed and bound to their room, with only the light of their black and white TV to brighten their existence. Super sad.

The beer itself is a Double Dry-Hopped IPA that SingleCut refers to as Weird & Gilly’s slightly bigger brother. As with most of their beer recipes, I couldn’t find the exact hop bill for this one, but the Electric Blue did taste very similar to to what I remember Weird & Gilly tasting like. Super juicy and delicious. Extremely hoppy and hazy. Solid IBU, too. So good! I definitely wasn’t blue after sipping this one on Christmas Day.

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• SingleCut Beersmiths: Electric Blue DDH IPA • Is it too late for a Christmas post on the Windowsill? • I don’t know, but it’s definitely been too long since I had a SingleCut Beersmiths selection on the Windowsill. For those of you unfamiliar with the Queens, New York brewery, y’all better get familiar. Whether it’s their array of hoppy, hazy, juice IPAs or their collection of delicious stouts, everything they make is awesome. Also, their brewery, and all of their beers, are named in reference to something related to classic rock. • Owner Rich Buceta specifically loves himself some David Bowie, which is where the Electric Blue name comes from. In 1977, Bowie released his 11th studio album, “Low.” Although it wasn’t embraced initially by critics, it is considered one of Bowie’s best, and most influential, outputs. The first single off of that album was a little song called “Sound and Vision.” It’s a bit of a somber tune in which Bowie sings the following lines: “Blue, blue, electric blue / That’s the colour of my room / Where I will live / Blue, blue.” According to @Genius, the song is about someone who is depressed and bound to their room, with only the light of their black and white TV to brighten their existence. Super sad. • The beer itself is a Double Dry-Hopped IPA that SingleCut refers to as Wild & Gilly’s slightly bigger brother. As with most of their beer recipes, I couldn’t find the exact hop bill for this one, but the Electric Blue did taste very similar to to what I remember Wild & Gilly tasting like. Super juicy and delicious. Extremely hoppy and hazy. So good! I definitely wasn’t blue after sipping this one on Christmas Day. • ABV: 7.2%, IBU: 112, Rotating availability • @untappd says: 4.21/5

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SingleCut Beersmiths: Barrel Aged Heavy Boots of Lead

SingleCut Beersmiths: Barrel Aged Heavy Boots of Lead

ABV: 11.0%

IBU: 55

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.29/5

It’s not the sabbath, but we’ve still got Iron man on the Windowsill today!

For today’s SingleCut Beersmiths rock n’ roll inspiration, I give you the following lyrics, from Black Sabbath’s Iron Man…. “Heavy boots of lead / Fills his victims full of dread. Running as fast as they can / Iron man lives again.” As you can see, that’s what today’s beer is named after, and I think it’s pretty appropriate for this barrel-aged version of the Heavy Boots of Lead, an imperial stout that, if you’re not ready for it, might have you running scared.

Luckily, I was ready for this brew because it won the Instagram story poll this weekend. You wanted me to drink it, so I did. This incredible stout from SingleCut is aged in rye whisky barrels for a year. It also has some added Oregon honey for a touch of sweetness. The result is a chocolaty, smooth, creamy stout with just enough whiskey and honey flavor to put it near the top of my list of favorite stouts. It’s so good that, like the Iron man, must have been created in that great magnetic field, indeed!

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SingleCut Beersmiths: Double Dry-Hopped Workers Are Going Home

SingleCut Beersmiths: Double Dry-Hopped Workers Are Going Home

ABV: 8.0%

IBU: 123

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.26/5

My name ain’t Jonas, but I have a killer beer on the Windowsill for you today!

In case you haven’t figured it out, today’s SingleCut Beersmiths brew is named after a repeated line in “My Name is Jonas,” a hit song by from one of my favorite rock bands, Weezer. The song is off their self titled 1994 debut album (also known as The Blue Album), and was inspired by a situation lead singer Rivers Cuomo’s brother was having with insurance after a car crash. In the song, it seems like more of a construction problem—the song basically describes a construction crew deciding not to work, and going home—but whatever. Great tune! On the original version of this beer, the little man on the label is wearing a construction outfit, complete with a hard hat and orange vest. For the upgraded DDH version, we get the guy in the business suit. You fancy, huh?

Like just about everything else I’ve had from SingleCut, the Workers Are Going Home was pretty amazing. Although I don’t know the exact varieties, the double IPA uses hops from Australian, Pacific Northwest and new-age European hops. The dry-hopping is done with the mysterious Australian and European varieties. Lots of hops. Lots of juice. Solid ABV. The Workers Are Going Home is delicious. If I see it at my local shop again, I might use a dozer to clear a path to it. Go home and drink one for yourself!

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SingleCut Beersmiths: Tomorrow Who’s Gonna Fuss?

SingleCut Beersmiths: Tomorrow Who's Gonna Fuss

ABV: 10.0%

IBU: 155

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.32/5

We have another kickass New York beer on the Windowsill today!

SingleCut Beersmiths is at it again with the rock references! “Tomorrow Who’s Gonna Fuss?” is a lyric from the song “Androgynous” by the Replacements. The song says: “Here comes Dick, he’s wearing a skirt / Here comes Jane, you know she’s sporting a chain / Same hair, revolution / Same build, evolution / Tomorrow who’s gonna fuss?” The song goes on to say that Jane and Dick love each other, and the message behind it is… In the grand scheme of things, who gives a crap what they look like, their gender or who they love? This is a message that I fully support. Love whoever you want, as long as you love my Windowsill! Logo note: To the best of my understanding, the Replacements wore a lot of plaid. The reason behind rainbow coloring should be clear.

I’ve been on a bit of a triple IPA kick of late, and I think I’ve found the absolute cream of the crop with the “Tomorrow Who’s Gonna Fuss?.” SingleCut doesn’t say what the hop blend is for this beer, and I don’t want to guess and reveal my novice status in the craft beer game, but just know that this is triple dry-hopped to go along with being a triple IPA. Triple! All that brewing, and hopping contribute to not just the hefty 10.0% ABV, but also to the highest IBU total I’ve ever had in a beer, 155. Despite all that bitterness and alcohol, it’s incredibly smooth and easy-drinking. No booziness at all! Goodness, gracious this was great. Tomorrow, I will still definitely make a fuss about it!

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SingleCut Beersmiths: Conform or Be Cast Out

SingleCut Beersmiths: Conform or Be Cast Out

ABV: 7.2%

IBU: 70

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.16/5

Don’t worry, we won’t cast you out of the Windowsill today, whether you conform or not!

In 1982, Rush released their ninth studio album, Signals. The first track on that album, Subdivisions, says this: “Subdivisions / In the high school halls / In the shopping malls / Conform or be cast out.” Whether you agree with that social commentary or not, that lyric inspired the name of today’s beer from SingleCut Beersmiths. If you’re wondering about the label, you Rush fans should recognize “that Darn Dragon!” The Dragon originally appeared in the live concert tour Rush in Rio, before the band played “One Little Victory,” and eventually returned during their R30 tour. The writing uses simplified Chinese characters generally only used in China (thanks @mindic1782 for the translation) to say the name of the beer. Conform or be Cast Out!

OK, enough about Rush, let’s talk about the beer. This one was really special, and really tasty! It’s an IPA brewed with pink peppercorns—actually a berry related to cashews and not pepper—and Szechuan peppercorns, which is a commonly used spice in Chinese cuisine (is the label situation becoming clearer?). The result is really astounding. The pepper hit my nose immediately when i poured it into the glass, and the tropical flavors combined really well with the late hint of heat from the Szechuan. Really a work of art!

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SingleCut Beersmiths: Weird & Gilly

SingleCut Beersmiths: Weird & Gilly

ABV: 6.6%

IBU: 88

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.1/5

“Now Ziggy played guitar / Jamming good with Weird and Gilly on the Windowsill. – David Bowie… kinda.

If you know SingleCut Beersmiths, you know their brand is, more or less, designed around classic rock. If you know your David Bowie, you know where Weird & Gilly comes from. Ziggy Stardust is a song written from the perspective of the Spiders from Mars, the backup band for fictitious singer Ziggy Stardust (Bowie’s alter ego for the album). In real life, “Weird” is bassist Trevor Bolder and “Gilly” is drummer Woody Woodmansey. SingleCut keeps the it rocking, and I love them for that.

Now let’s talk about the brew. The Weird & Gilly label says “Some Cat from Japan asked us to make an IPA that was juicy, and nothing else.” The first part is another Ziggy Stardust lyric reference, but did SingleCut get the job done? YES. The soft, tangy malt backbone lays out and really lets the hoppy citrus, pine resin and tropical fruit aromas and flavors shine bright. So many flavors. So delicious! So juicy!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram for more great SingleCut beers!