Brooklyn Brewery in Brooklyn, NY

After a nice run-in with the Brooklyn Brewery and its Black Chocolate Stout, I was more than ready to jump back aboard the Brooklyn Brewery roller coaster. And when I was given the opportunity to taste one of Brooklyn’s more unique and special beers, Local 2, I was even giddier. The only thing incomplete from having Local 2 was that we really wish we could have had a bottle of Local 1 to compliment our drinking. But sometimes the chips don’t fall your way, and, let’s face it, we’re kind of spoiled. So Local 2 would have to do. But with the champagne bottle design with a great cork (one thing I love about wine: the unique cork designs), this baby was more than enough of an invitation to drink, and when we popped the top on the Local 2, we could already tell we were in for a real treat. It felt like New Year’s Eve all over again.

Pouring a rather murky and dark hazelnut almond color, the Local 2 quickly erupted into the air with the scent of some boozy fruit and a slightly malty nose. Interestingly enough, and maybe we were caught up on the bottle design, the beer even smelled a touch like champagne. Upon tasting, our noses were not proven wrong, with a dry-tasting, ultra-carbonated and bubbly beer. One drawback to this, though, was that the beer almost tasted too carbonated and punchy for a darker Belgian beer. There was a good dose of caramel up front, with a sweeter and more citrusy-tasting middle, maybe apples or pears, and a good hunk of lighter malt near the end. The velvety-smoothness of the beer was rather remarkable, especially when coupled with the champagne undertones. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the true champagne of beers.

Maybe we’re still caught up in the New Year’s mood, but this really was a beer that would have complimented any special occasion like NYE very, very well. Popping the top off this one almost opened up a party in the room, and the flavors in the beer put us all in a happy mood. All this isn’t to say that this is more of a champagne than a beer; rather, the citrus notes and touches of malt make this a great session beer that is perfect to share with friends when you’re ready for a party to go down. Pop the top, and let the fun begin.