Wild & Easy

Well, Memorial Day weekend’s weather and crowds really proved everyone was ready to get back to life as we knew it. The Lakes Region was flooded with visitors hungry for good times, great food and drink. It was also a time to look at what people are still attracted to. Young and old alike, we all like a variety of good tasting food; burgers, chicken wings, lobster rolls, fries and so on. Matching up good beer with these foods is key to making the good times roll. And it seems lately that there are two very popular styles that are both diverse and sought after. I’m referring to New England IPA’s and sours (tart beer). Both styles are not necessarily for the Bud drinkers out there. One has hop presence while the other is for those who liked Sour Patch candy as a kid. And both go very well with summer fun and food. So I thought it was a good plan to present two very popular examples of these styles for your consideration.
Wild Little Thing is from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company originally started in Chico, California in 1980 by Ken Grossman. As an early leader in quality crafted beer, Grossman got the jump on many later start ups. His knowledge and creativity for innovation made his brew efforts pay off. His Pale Ale was very popular and by 1997, Sierra Nevada opened their 200 barrel brewhouse. By 2007, they embarked on solar power projects to help run their expanding operation. In 2015, they opened an east coast brewery in Mills River, North Carolina. Look over their website at sierranevada.com
Another brew By Sierra was called Hazy Little Thing which sported the New England IPA style. Looking at the sour craze, Sierra decided to do a slight ‘kettle sour’. It is produced without hops, but instead added guava, hibiscus and strawberries. After brewing is complete, about 10% of the batch is separated away and lactobacillus (a friendly bacteria) is substituted for yeast. They both accomplish the same result; sugars are converted to alcohol. But in Wild’s case, sugars also become lactic acid which is where your tart flavors are born. That amount is added back into the batch which is why it is slightly sour. Now you might have guessed I am not a huge sour beer fan but this slightly sour is very approachable and flavorful. At 5.5% ABV, Wild looks like light cranberry juice, supports a monstrous pink-white head and you will pick right up on the hibiscus, floral and strawberry notes with a dry finish. If you are into sours at all, this is one you’ll need to try and then share with a friend who knows nothing about sour beers.
Easy Miles is from Magic Hat Brewing Company in South Burlington, VT which opened in 1994. Using diverse and artistic packaging graphics has been their trademark since the start. #9 Pale Ale was their most popular beer though many other recipes circle around their offerings. Check out magichat.net
Easy Miles Hazy Pale Ale is an easy drinking, 5.2% ABV beer with a biscuit and malt nose and taste. Because it is well balanced between hops and malt, there is not much bittering, yet not sweet. If anything, it is a malt-forward beer which it is a pale ale and not an IPA. Easy has a golden-straw hue, hazy clarity, and an off-white head which tends to dissipate quickly. You’ll notice strong tropical citrus, lemon zest, orange and mango with piney late tones as you examine your first few sips. This is a solid summer beer to be enjoyed with friends and paired with the foods you love.
BeerAdvocate.com has officially rated Sierra Nevada’s Wild Little Thing as ‘Very Good’ and awards it an 85 out of 100. They officially rated Magic Hat’s Easy Miles as ‘Good’ with 83 out of 100. You can find both of these very popular beers at Case-n-Keg in Meredith as well as other fine beer providers. Cheers!