Simply Red Ale by Lithermans Limited
With the growing amount of breweries opening recently in New Hampshire (it seems almost everyday), this column never goes without fresh ammo to look after. The styles and varieties each brewer offers makes residents of the Granite State proud to say they are leading the charge and making sure that we all have enough refreshment to keep us satisfied. So we’ll spend some time with Lithermans Limited today.
Located at 126B Hall St., Concord, Lithermans is a brand new nano brewery opened by co-owners Steve Bradbury Jr and Michael Hauptly-Pierce. Longtime friends and decades of experience home brewing, they have been diligently working on this endeavor since 2013. They plan to have 5 year-round and a few seasonal beers in 22 oz bottles and growler fills in their tap room which boasts a musical theme. The brewery’s name is coined after a 40’s iconic cartoon Litherman’s Load, in which a guy is trying to balance too many groceries, open his door and everything starts to fall…
So, their motto on each label says “How much can YOU carry?” If you’re interested in visiting them or want to know more about their achievements, visit them at www.facebook.com/Lithermans-Limited-Brewery-1392873437634740/
Simply Red Ale pours a hazy light chestnut or copper color with a robust off-white head that lasts and lasts. In a pint glass, light has a hard time passing through this luscious liquid. You will immediately pick up thick and slightly sweet roasted malts to the nose. Your first encounter reminds you of more malt, caramel, toffee, a bit of piney flavor and ending on a medium bitter side. The maltiness persists on the back of your tongue while the bittering fades as you enjoy its generous mouthfeel. This is a very tasty, almost chewy beer and not one for you light beer folks. Although not stated on the label, this beer is rated at 9% making it an imperial red. This ale’s hop profile is based on Cascade, Citra and lots of Simcoe which are all west coast hops coming in at 84 IBUs. This is why heavier bodied beer is balanced with a generous hop character. Whatever it is, it’s just good beer!
You can pick up any of the Lithermans Limited 22 oz bottles at Case-n-Keg in Meredith or Laconia as well as other fine beer suppliers. Make it a point to visit their tasting room which is open Friday 4 to 7 pm and Saturday noon to 5 pm and get a growler of your favorite after you sample their entire line.
Jim MacMillan is the owner of WonByOne Design of Meredith, NH, and is an avid imbiber of craft brews and a home brewer as well. Send him your recommendations and brew news to wickedbrews@weirs.com
