My introduction to Jack's Abby was inauspicious but intriguing. We were at one of our favorite local pizza joints, and they tend to always have a couple of good brews on tap. They also have a great "refill for a nickel" policy that I always take advantage of. This particular night one of the beers written up on the board was Jack's Abby Berliner Style Lager. Both I and our friend's son, who was visiting and is also a lover of good beer, ordered it. Probably it was our choice because we had tried or heard of everything else on the beer board.
The beer came to our table, we both took a sip and pow! Right in the kisser! It was very sour. Neither of us liked it. Gamely we finished our glasses, but both ordered something a little more conventional with our nickel refill. Of course we both went immediately to our phones to google Berliner Style lager and discovered we should have known what we were getting ourselves into. A sour style meant specifically for summer was what the Berliner should be. We both decided maybe if we had known what to expect we would have found the brew more to our liking.
I have not tried the Berliner since then, but I did want to try more Jack's Abby beers after that. Putting that style of beer out there and being true to that style, that took moxie. This was not a brewery for the faint of heart or the fearful.
So this summer I have come across the variety 12 pack from Jack's Abby. One of my favorites is their IPL, which they call Hoponius Union. That is the other thing about Jack's Abby. They are committed to lagers. They do lagers. Period.
Naturally for an IPL my inclination is to compare it to my favorite IPAs. And sure enough Hoponius Union shares many of the IPA traits. There is the customary citrus aroma, just more subdued than in an IPA. There is also the strong hop flavor of the brew.
As you may tell from the photo this beer is unfiltered, but also lighter in color and body than most IPAs. The bitterness is there but more subtle. The overall effect is a clean, refreshing beer.
It has a good flavor, reminiscent of a western style IPA, but a little lighter. I'm thinking it would be easier to make Hoponius Union an all-night session beer than it would most IPAs.
Along with some of the local Connecticut breweries I've been discovering this summer, Jack's Abby is towards the top of my favorite "local" breweries. I'll even give the Berliner another try now that I know what to expect.
I give Hoponius Union from Jack's Abby 8 mugs out of 10. It has become one of my favorites for drinking or recommending.
Until next time, have a good one!