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Russian River Brewing Company: Blind Pig IPA

Russian River Brewing Company: Blind Pig

ABV: 6.1%

IBU: 70

Availability: Year-round

@untappd says: 4.19/5

We’re going bucket list blind on the Windowsill today!

The story of today’s beer begins all the way back in 1994. Vinnie Cilurzo took his first swing at founding his own brewery in Temecula, California. There, he specialized in only a couple of year-round brews, one of which was an IPA. What was the name of that brewery? Blind Pig Brewing Company! Unfortunately, it failed, but Cilurzo took a job at, and eventually purchased, Russian River Brewing Company. For his new brewing endeavor, he brewed another IPA as an homage to his original recipe. The Blind Pig IPA was born.

Two things about this beer. First of all, the name “Blind Pig.” It’s not just an homage to Cilurzo’s old brewery. It’s also a Prohibition term. Back in the day, you could use the term to discreetly order beer from a speakeasy barkeep. Also, jars were known as pigs, and unmarked jars were “blind pigs.” The second thing to know about this beer is that it’s one of the standard bearers for the IPA style. If you like hops, you’ll love this one. The malts are barely there, and the hops are so strong, they’re almost sharp on the tongue. The new recipe is a little less bitter than the old one, (the original was 92 IBU, this one is 70) and Cilurzo has added a “small amount” of Amarillo and Simcoe to his old brew. If you get the chance to try this one, do it!

You like this beer? Show me how much, on my Instagram page!

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Vanished Valley Brewing Company: Watershed IPA

Vanished Valley Brewing Company: Watershed IPA

ABV: 6.7%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.14/5

Today’s Windowsill brew was so good, it vanished almost immediately!

Vanished Valley Brewing Company opened its taps in Ludlow, MA in 2017, and the tiny brewery slowly been getting a very big reputation. The name comes from an interesting story—four towns that disappeared from the face of the earth in the 1930s. Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott, Massachusetts were disincorporated and flooded in 1938 in order to create the Quabbin Reservoir, the largest inland body of water in the state. Along with the Wachusett Resevoir, it’s the primary supply for Boston. Sad those towns had to go, but water is important, and so is the great beer Vanished Valley brews.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find out much about the Watershed IPA. I don’t know what hops are in it, or the malts, but I can say this: it’s very hazy, very hoppy and extremely good. Bright and hop-forward citrus (like tangerine and grapefruit) flavors and aromas, low bitterness and super pleasant. It’s also dry-hopped, which is always a great addition to an IPA. The Watershed is definitely worthy of the high rating from untappd!

Also, check out Instagram some photos from my visit to Vanished Valley!

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Cellarmaker Brewing Co.: Alien Lifeform

Cellarmaker Brewing Company: Alien Lifeform

Hops: Galaxy, Mosaic, Simcoe, Centennial

ABV: 6.8%

IBU: 62

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.05/5

We’re getting out of this world on the Windowsill today, thanks to my good friend @beer_shark!

Let’s give a shoutout to the head brewer, and part owner, at Cellarmaker Brewing Company, Tim Sciascia. Sciascia graduating from, of all places, the New England Music Conservatory with a major in classical saxophone. All the while, he was developing his love for home brewing, and quickly got a job giving tours at Sam Adams. He soon moved out West, spending five years working his way up the ranks (and brew tanks) at Larkspur, CA’s Marin Brewing Company. Today, he’s responsible for some of the most buzzed about craft beer in the country.

The Alien Lifeform is an IPA brewed with tons of Galaxy hops, and a “cosmic dusting” of Simcoe, Mosaic and Centennial. It’s very hop forward, has a lovely tropical aroma and really does taste good enough to be made by Aliens. Anybody out there remember ALF? If you read the official description for this brew, you’ll know that the folks at Cellarmaker do. “This exploration in flavor reminds us of a day trip to Melmac. A different world with a green sky, blue grass and a purple sun.” If you know your ALF, and you have the Alien Lifeform in your fridge, you’re already running to make sure your cat is OK. Really awesome beer!

Head over to Instagram for this beer, and all of my other awesome Windowsill brews!

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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.

Check out this brew, and all of my other awesome craft beer on instagram, now!

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The Alchemist: Skadoosh 23

The Alchemist: Skadoosh 23

Hops: Citra and Simcoe cryo hops

ABV: 7.0%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Rotating (with different recipes)

@untappd says: 4.26/5

Is someone performing the Wuxi Finger Hold on the Windowsill today?

This past weekend, I fulfilled one of the dreams I’ve had ever since I got into the craft beer game: I visited The Alchemist. I got to Stowe, Vermont around 5:30 or so, and the lads and I immediately popped over to The Alchemist’s beautiful, state-of-the-art taproom—it opened officially in June of 2016—for a visit before closing. I was bowled over by the beauty of the building, the decorated tanks and artwork inside, and just how pristinely clean everything was. We quickly hustled over to the tasting bar, where they were pouring two-ounce samples of Heady Topper, Focal Banger and Holy Cow… for free! After we drank our samples, we all bought as much beer as we could carry and headed off to dinner. It was a brief visit, but at least I can say I’ve been. Bucket List Brewery visit…achieved!

Among the many cans of beer I purchased at Alchemist, was the Skadoosh. I did not know this before I drank it, but it turns out the Skadoosh is a rotating series of IPAs that Alchemist makes with different recipes every time. There have been 23 varieties up to this point, and I got variety 23—fresh from the canning line! This variety is interesting, in that it’s the first variety of Skadoosh to be 100% chyo-hopped. That means that only the concentrated lupulin of whole-leaf hops is used. You get all the intense hop flavor and aroma, without all the other stuff. The Skadoosh 23 uses Simcoe and Citra cryo hops. I really loved it. It’s super up front with the hops, but still very citrusy and tasty. Get down to Stowe and give it a try!

Head over to Instagram to like and follow my stuff, and check out all my other awesome Windowsill beer!

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Foam Brewers: Dance Yrself Clean

Foam Brewers: Dance Yrself Clean

ABV: 7.0%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.24/5

It’s time to dance on the Windowsill today!

This past weekend, I took a trip to Vermont for the bachelor party of my good pal @drinkcraftscookwithcast. When my beer pal, @zacporter, found out I was going to Burlington, he told me I had to hit up Foam Brewers because it was one of the best breweries in the state. He wasn’t lying. Check out a few photos from my trip!

The Vermont craft scene is one of the oldest in the country. While Foam Brewers has only been around since 2016, the people behind it—Todd Haire, Robert Grim, Sam Keane, Jon Farmer, and Dani Casey—are some of the best brewery professionals in the state’s recent history. They have experience at places like Magic Hat, Switchback, and several others around the North East. We’re talking decades of experience. The group focuses its brew strategy on small batches, which means they’re always experimenting with great recipes.

We didn’t have much time to spend at the brewery, so I went bold with my order. Foam is known for its incredible New England IPAs, but I went with a little brew named Dance Yrself Clean. It’s a fruited sour brewed with lactose, but there’s much more to it. It’s then conditioned on pineapple, coconut and lime zest. Foam describes it as a mix between a mojito and a piña colada, and I gotta say that’s pretty accurate. The sour base was tasty, but the fruit, coconut and lactose added some really good sweetness to balance it out. Really delicious, and super interesting. Next time I go, I’ll make sure to grab some food, and try out some of their really good IPAs… and maybe have another Dance Yrself Clean!

Check this one out on Instagram, now!

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Thomas Hooker Brewery: Watermelon Ale

Thomas Hooker Brewery: Watermelon Ale

Hops: Saaz, Cascade

Malts: Canadian 2-Row, Carapilis, Wheat Malt

ABV: 4.8%

IBU: 11

Availability: Seasonal from April to August

@untappd says: 3.16/5

Every couple of months, you know I have to have a Hooker on the Windowsill!

You ever wonder where watermelons come from? I did, so I looked it up. Turns out the big green fruit originated in sub-Saharan Africa, and we’ve been enjoying it thousands of years. Evidence of the cultivation of watermelons in the Nile Valley exists from at least 4,000 years ago. From there, it spread to India and China in the 7th and 10th centuries respectively, and was being grown in Europe around the same time. Colonization soon took the fruit all over the world, and European colonists and their slaves eventually brought it to the New World, aka the Americas (North and South). In 1939, Japanese scientists figured out a way to grow seedless watermelons, which I can’t really get behind, but 85% of watermelons sold in America are seedless today…so I guess I have to. Now you know about watermelons!

Why did I just go through all that? First of all, I’m running out of cool stuff to say about Thomas Hooker Brewing Company. Secondly, because today’s featured brew is the Bloomfield, CT brewery’s Watermelon Ale. It’s a light, crisp ale made with a hint of watermelon essence. Was this the greatest watermelon beer I’ve ever tasted? No. But it’s light and refreshing on a hot day, that’s for sure. I might turn to a different watermelon brew next time, but that won’t stop me from enjoying the six pack I bought of this one.

Head over to Instagram and give us a follow. Enjoy more great craft beer!

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Fifth Hammer Brewing Company: Llama Drama

Fifth Hammer Brewing Company: Llama Drama

Hops: Mosaic, Palisade

ABV: 7.2%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.05/5

Save the drama for yo’ llama… and my Windowsill!

I love trying out new local breweries. This week, I had the honor of tasting my first brew from Long Island City’s (that’s in Queens) Fifth Hammer Brewing Company. When they opened their taps in October of last year, owners Chris Cuzme and David Scharfstein ended a two-year search for the perfect brewery location. My favorite part of this brewery is its name. There’s an old story about the famous mathematician, Pythagoras (you’ve heard of his theorem, I’m sure). It seems Pythagoras was doing some digging into the mathematical relationship between musical notes. He walked into a blacksmith shop and heard five hammers clanging on metal. The first four were in harmony, but that fifth hammer clashed with the rest. Here’s to the discordant ones!

I’m glad the Llama Drama was my first foray into this brewery. Although it seemed a little too carbonated when i first opened it, once I let it settle in, it was really good. Very nice notes of tropical fruit, honeysuckle and peach on the nose, and lots of hoppy and tropical goodness on the palate. The Llama Drama is dry-hopped with Mosaic and Palisade hops. Super tasty, but surprisingly drama—and llama—free.

Check out this, and all the other drama, on my Instagram right now!

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Lock City Brewing Company: Figure Four +1

Lock City Brewing Company: Figure Four +1

Hops: Chinook, Amarillo, Mosaic, Citra, Galaxy

ABV: 7.2%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.18/5

Are you ready to ride Space Mountain on the Windowsill today?

Let’s talk about wrasslin’, shall we? I’m not ashamed to say that I have been a fan of professional wrestling since I was a kid. Ric Flair is not my favorite person, but I can’t deny his impact on the industry. Over the last five decades, he’s become one of the most recognizable wrestlers in the history of the business. He’s a 16-time world champ—I know wrestling predetermined, but they put the championship on the very best performers, who put the most asses in the seats—a two-time WWE Hall-of-Famer and he’s wrestled all over the world in just about every legitimate company. As he says more loudly than anyone else, he’s the man. Perfect to be immortalized on a beer can label, if you ask me.

When I found out the Figure Four+1 was being released in cans, I had to get my hands on some. Thanks to my good buddy @drinkcraftscookwithcast for stopping by Lock City Brewing Company while I was stuck working my day job in the city. This beer is named after the Figure Four, Ric Flair’s infamous finishing move (was it ever not reversed by the good guy, though?). My brother put me in that hold once. It hurts. This beer, however, does not. The original Figure Four was an American IPA brewed with Chinook, Amarillo, Mosaic, Citra. For the +1 version, Lock City added a second dry hop of all Galaxy hops. Five hops! It’s a lovely juicy color, with great tropical aromas and flavor. Solid hoppiness on the finish, too. This beer is definitely a stylin’, profilin’, limousine ridin’, jeft flyin’, kiss-stealin’, wheelin’ dealin’ son of a gun, as Flair would say. Made me say “Wooooooooooooo!” when I took the first sip.

Take a jet, or a limo, over to my Instagram page. Follow Beers on Windowsills for more great craft beer stories like this!

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Alewife Brewing Company: Death to Ego

Alewife Brewing Company: Death to Ego on the Windowsill

Hops: Azacca, Centennial, El Dorado

ABV: 6.1%

IBU: 54

Availability: Year-round

@untappd says: 3.9/5

Let’s set our egos aside in favor of good beer on the Windowsill today!

Yesterday, my good pals Mike and Christine introduced me to Alewife Brewing Company—a great brewpub in Long Island City, Queens. I’m really grateful that they did. Not only did Alewife have a Windowsill for me to put a beer on (although it was a tad dark), they also brew their own solid beers, and carry over two dozen craft beers from New York, and all over the country, too. I tried some delicious in-house beers, as well as other craft brew on tap from LIC Beer Project, SingleCut Beersmiths and Clown Shoes Beer. One nice detail you can see in the photos in the Instagram post below… at 8:29 PM, they printed out a new tap list. It replaced the 3:38 PM tap list. These guys are on top of their stuff. Oh, did I mention they also have delicious food? I devoured my burger so quickly, I didn’t even take a picture of it. If you’re in Long Island City, check them out!

It doesn’t matter how many craft beers a brewpub has, I have to judge them on the beer they brew in in their own barrels and tanks. Thankfully, the Death to Ego was tasty! It’s an American IPA, and the official description says it all. CITRUS. FRUIT. LOVE. If you ask me, those are some pretty key ingredients for brewing a good IPA. Thankfully, they also used actual ingredients—namely, Azacca, Centennial and El Dorado hops. Great combo! I wish I’d tried more of Alewife’s in-house brews to see how they stacked up to the Death to Ego, but I was too busy oogling the rest of the craft brew list. Oh well. Next time!

Head over to our Instagram to see more photos of Alewife Brewing Company, now!