Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, CO
One of the greatest additions to the D.C. beer scene in the past few months has been the introduction of the Meridian Pint to Columbia Heights. Aside from being a bar just a few minutes from my apartment, the bar really does have that neighborhood feel that is missing from many of the bars I’ve come across in D.C. It’s super bright inside, and it’s a place where you can pop in and surely strike up a conversation at the bar with a stranger or run into some of your neighbors or work associates. Needless to say, I’m finding myself there quite often, especially with the expertise of beer director Sam Fitz. He’s a really nice guy and super knowledgeable when it comes to beer. Plus, the bar is specializing in just American microbrews, so you don’t have to worry about dropping in and finding half the taps filled with Belgian beers. So stopping in on Saturdays just seems too easy these days, and with no real beer in mind, I picked from the row of taps a great beer from Avery Brewing in Colorado, the New World Porter.
Heavy Seas Beer in Baltimore, MD
Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland, OH
Mad River Brewing Company in Blue Lake, California
Lewis & Clark Brewing Company in Helena, Montana
The brew wasn’t overly bitter or strong, and some nice burnt coffee and toned-down malt flavor tickled the tongue in the middle-third of the sip. However, the real clincher was the watery and thin finish that almost fooled me into thinking I wasn’t drinking a beer at all–or at least one that didn’t have ice floating in it. Sessionable? Yes, but I want my porters and stouts to feel like a heavy wool blanket, and not a cotton t-shirt.
the blitzkrieg of sweet and savory chocolate malt blasted through. A touch of coffee complimented the chocolate, and the alcohol was masked almost completely by the overwhelming smoothness and sweetness. I’ve heard people trying beer and ice cream combos, almost in milkshake or float forms, with Guinness, but for my money, this would be a fantastic beer to try making a float with, or even chilling heavily and tossing over ice cream. It’s just that rich.
