Reuben’s Brews

Reuben’s Brews  18Nov2016

I had swung by Reuben’s last week to try a New England style IPA, but the place was packed by an event, which caused me to pass it by to go elsewhere. I don’t like standing in line for beer. Except at the ballpark. Reuben’s early on a Friday afternoon is only sparsely populated, I did not have to wait in line, and I easily found a place to sit and admire the brewery.

Your friendly neighborhood brewery with parking in front blocked off for the food truck yet to arrive

 As you enter the taproom the seating area surrounds you, the beer list is prominent in front of you, and the cylindroconicals are visible to the rear of the space. 

As you walk in the front door there is no doubt where the beer might be.

The ambience is industrial warehouse with a serious brewery vibe. The people behind the bar are knowledgeable and friendly.

The brewing equipment and brewers are not behind glass.

I checked the beer list and decided to do mostly IPAs including the latest New England style Citra Crush. A set of 6 by 4 oz. tasters seemed appropriate with so many (more than 20) choices.

So many beers, so little time. And a limited capacity. I'm a lightweight.

Tasting Notes:

Back row (l to r) Roasted Rye IPA, Auld Heritage, Citra Crush; Front row (l to r) Hop Tropic, Triumvirate, Pilsner

Pilsner (5.5% ABV 35 IBU): Clear pale gold. Bready aroma. Full body with balanced sweetness and bitterness with an ever so slight sourness. Dry finish.

Triumvirate IPA (6.0% ABV 52 IBU): Slightly hazy gold. Sweaty hop aroma – some onion. Full body and hop oil richness with bitter and sweet flavor. The bitterness and sweetness linger into the finish.

Hop Tropic (6.2% ABV 48 IBU): Hazy pale gold. Mild hop aroma. Full body with good balance shaded toward bitter. Tropical hop flavor. Mostly bitter finish.

Citra Crush – Nitro (6.0% ABV 47 IBU): Very hazy pale yellow. Dank fruity hop aroma. Malty full body with fruity hops and a slight bitterness. Bitter finish.

Auld Heritage (8.7% ABV 58 IBU): Clear brown. Sweet malt aroma with some roast. Full body, sweet malt flavor with slight bitterness. Good balance. Bitter finish. A nice winter warmer.

Roasted Rye IPA (7.0% ABV 80 IBU): Reddish brown, slightly hazy. Not much aroma. Medium body and bitter. Integrated grain and hop flavor. Bitter finish. This an old school IPA with an emphasis on bitterness and malt body.

Reuben’s is an award winning brewery which has gained a reputation for good beer. They make well brewed beers, experiment constantly, and when they release bottled special beers, the lines are long. The place is often packed but can offer sanctuary on certain off times like Friday afternoon. I tasted my beers and then pulled out my book and finished off the set while reading and watching the workers operate the brewery. Once I finished home was just a quick walk away. I savored the bitterness still on my tongue - Reuben's is not afraid to pile on the hops.