Summer Quarantine Beers!

Hello from Chris & Meghan! It's been a minute... we hope all of you out there in beer land are safe, healthy and sipping yummy brews! We're well and hanging in over here at Killihump HQ.  Thanks to this pandemic, we've definitely been enjoying our share of beer over the last few months! It's great news that some breweries and beer bars have been able to reopen with restrictions in place! We, however, have stuck pretty close to home, as a member of our family is high risk. We've been doing curbside/to-go whenever we're able, to support local businesses... and we hope you are able to do the same!

After this record breaking hot summer we've had here in SECT... we're definitely ready for the cooler weather! I don't know about all of you, but we're already headfirst into Oktoberfests and pumpkin brews! And no... it's never too early! However, we are still in summer, so we put together a list of a few blog worthy brews we've been enjoying throughout the summer months. Put these on your list if you haven't yet tried them...

Lone Pine Summer Stout 4.5% (Portland, ME)
https://lonepinebrewery.com/
Description: "It’s a light-bodied dark ale with balanced bitterness. Notes of roasted coffee and piney hops. Only 4.5% ABV.  Made for those unpredictable Maine nights where you might need a jacket and shorts".
Our notes: I love the brewers description - and it's so true - if you ever find yourself in a jacket and shorts - or a hoodie and flip flops...then you must be from New England! It's the perfect summer brew for those dark beer lovers out there - like myself, (Meg). Great at cookouts or those summer nights around the bonfire! It's a light, easy drinker with that low ABV -  and it definitely drinks like a dark ale and not so much a stout. Highly recommend this one!
Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Universal Package Store - New London, CT

Beer'd 8 Days A Week (limited release Blood Orange) Pale Ale 6.7% (Stonington, CT)
https://beerdbrewing.com/
Description: "Single hopped with Citra, this American Pale Ale has a burst of tropical fruit aromas and flavors, with a touch of citrus notes, and a finishing dash of graham cracker character. Brewed with blood orange puree."
Our notes: Holy yummy, we can not get enough of this beer! Talk about a great brew for summer! Refreshing citrus flavors are literally bursting out of this can! This is a limited release so we've been buying this variation whenever we can find it. If you're a fan of blood orange like we are, try it!
Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Grand Wine & Spirits - Groton, CT

Rhythm Unfiltered Lager 5.5% (New Haven, CT)

https://rhythmbrewingco.com/
Description: "This American style lager combines uniquely paired hops and malts, brewed for a smooth, palette pleasing, full-flavored taste. A lager, unfiltered - we keep the goodness in!".
Our notes: Can you say easy drinker? Totally refreshing for the summer months and a nice switch up from all the IPA's we've been drinking recently. Well balanced and even a hint of sweetness - definitely flavorful. Loving this brew! This is the only style from Rhythm we've seen yet in our area, but most likely because they're a newer brewery. Definitively looking forward to trying more from them!
Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Universal Package Store - New London, CT

Back East Double Scoop DIPA 8.4% (Bloomfield, CT)

https://www.backeastbrewing.com/
Description: "For this beer, we took one of our favorites and doubled the scoops. Double Scoop will be everything you love about Ice Cream Man IPA, doubled into a citrusy perfection".

Our notes: Double the fun! We already love Ice Cream Man, so this was a no brainer for us to pick up. I think we might like Ice Cream Man just a little more... but this one was pretty good. Super citrus and a tad heavier body. Ice Cream Man made our other quarantine list, check it out here.
Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Grand Wine & Spirits - Groton, CT

Harpoon For The Frontline Red/Amber Ale 5% (Boston, MA)

https://www.harpoonbrewery.com/
Description: "By purchasing this amber ale you’re helping us assist the frontline workers and hospitality professionals in our community. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will go to: Boston Resiliency Fund, The Vermont Community Foundation, and Off Their Plate. Our original Harpoon Ale. First brewed in ‘86".
Our notes: Solid red ale for a good cause - can't go wrong here. Malty with a hint of sweetness. Thank you to all the frontline workers! 💓
Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Given to us by our neighbors who happen to both be frontline workers! Thanks Jeremiah & Keri!

New England Brewing Coriolis DIPA 8.2% (Woodbridge, CT)

https://newenglandbrewing.com/
Description: "One of our "single hopped" beers, this Double IPA gets brewed with only the Nelson Sauvin hop grown solely in New Zealand. A bright-tasting beer that has a big, ole taste of white grape. And yes, the label image is of a Hobbit holding a hop vine while being eaten by a T-Rex. It just seemed... there was this... um, honestly, we don't know what that's all about".

Our notes: We've definitely had a bunch of these at the ready this summer - one of our fave summer brews for sure! Packs a bit of a punch with that 8% ABV - but sometimes you need a little adventure in quarantine? 

Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Grand Wine & Spirits - Groton, CT

Alvarium Phresh IPA 6.5% (New Britain, CT)

https://alvariumbeer.com/
Description: Our flagship NEIPA, utilizing a boatload of Mosaic and Citra hops for a true liquid, rainbow sherbet experience.

Our notes: One of our top 5 favorite CT brews & brewery! This is a solid NEIPA front to back. Juicy, citrusy, hoppy and haze for days! You need this one if you haven't tried it yet. One of our friends clued us in that a few Alvarium styles have been available in Norwich, which isn't too far out of our area so we've made a few trips to pick some up! Thankful that it's been distributed so close to us and hopefully we'll see it more readily available in our immediate area in the future!
Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Norwich Wine & Spirits - Norwich, CT

Frost Beer Works Plush DIPA 8% (Hinesburg, VT)

https://www.frostbeerworks.com/
Description: "Plush lays a soft mouthfeel and intense juiciness on your palate. A diverse blend of hop varieties and modified grain bill differentiates this beer from Lush".

Our notes: Juicy & hoppy up front and slightly grassy on the back end. Regardless of it's 8% ABV, this one goes down dangerously easy and is really refreshing. We've had this in our fridge quite often this spring/summer. Dig!
Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Grand Wine & Spirits - Groton, CT

Abomination Wandering Into The Fog (12 different hop variations!) DNEIPA 8.6% (North Haven, CT)
https://www.abominationbrewing.com/
Description: "Brewed with a heavy wheat and oat malt bill hopped and double dry hopped aggressively with 7+lbs per bbl of Mosaic, Pacific Jade, Citra, Summit and Enigma... [and then a ton of whatever hop is in the title]. Fluffy, pillowy, juicy, dank, DDH goodness".

Our notes: We wanted to get Wandering Into The Fog on the list somehow, but we couldn't decide which variation we liked best! There are twelve different variations of this beer! We've had Galaxy, Citra, El Dorado, Cashmere (pictured), and Strata so far, and they're all amazing! Juicy, hazy and hoppy, oh my! Give these a try!!
Our rating: 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Purchased at: Grand Wine & Spirits - Groton, CT

✋ Hands up if you're ready for Oktoberfest & Pumpkin brews? 

We definitely are!! Some call it rushing the season... we call it... do what makes you happy!! In times like these, there are worst things than drinking an Oktoberfest a few weeks early... or a pumpkin brew in late summer. In fact, we've already popped a number or our favorite fall brews that have just hit the stores! We're planning to do a new fall beer post soon enough, so stay tuned for that.

Until then... to get you in the spirit, check out our post from a few years back:
Killihump's Favorite Pumpkin & Oktoberfest Brews