Reminder staff picks its favorite reds and stouts

Date: 3/4/2016

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a standard beer column.

The main reason? I’m certainly no expert. I’m just a guy who enjoys good beer and why should my opinion on a beer trump anyone else’s?      

So for the past several months I have attempted to bring a new spin to my coverage of the beer industry by informing you of the happenings of local breweries.

But with St. Patrick’s Day approaching, I decided to circle back to an old format with an opinion-based column. But there’s a twist.

Instead of giving my opinion, I took a sampling of locally-made red ales and stouts, in honor of the day my Irish-American wife calls “better than Christmas,” and asked my colleagues at Reminder Publications to vote for their favorites. While far from a scientific study, it was an exercise I found interesting because it assembled a diverse cast of beer drinkers, not just self-anointed “beer experts.”

The field, which was amassed based solely on the conditions that it was local and readily available at the time I compiled the list, was made up of five beers that could be classified as red ales and five stouts. The red ales were White Lion’s Insane Mane, Opa Opa’s Red Rock Ale, Iron Duke’s Baby Maker (technically an Irish porter, but sometimes described as a heavy red), Berkshire Brewing Company’s (BBC) Hoosac Tunnel Amber Ale and Element Brewing’s Red Giant; the stouts were Abandoned Building’s Nightshade Stout, Lefty’s Irish Stout, Iron Duke’s Sinker, 3 Beards Scallywag and Big Elm’s Gerry Dog Stout.

 So who did the faithful workers of Reminder Publications favor?

In terms of red ales, there was overwhelming support for the Hoosac Tunnel. Taste testers, who were asked to not only vote, but to write down what separated this beer from the others, enjoyed the beer’s light body, smooth finish and easy drinkability. Several voters noted the beer had an enjoyable sweetness to it, mixed with pleasant fruity overtones.

Finishing second was Springfield’s own White Lion, which also received compliments regarding its drinkability.

On the stout side, Big Elm of Sheffield was the standout winner. Respondents were especially impressed with how smooth the beer was without sacrificing its rich taste, which they tabbed as being laced with chocolate, coffee and a touch of fruit, without a harsh aftertaste.

The Nightshade Stout and Lefty’s Irish Stout finished in a tie for second. Supporters of the Nightshade appreciated the bitter coffee flavor, while Lefty’s was lauded for its sweet chocolate and coffee flavors that finish without bite.

Our intrepid crew was courageous enough to give these a try. Will you be willing to do the same this St. Patrick’s Day?

If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts. So give some a try and get back to me at chrism@thereminder.com.