For my 30th birthday last weekend we were looking for someplace exciting to go for dinner. And Armsby Abbey, Massachusetts #1 beer bar, is as exciting as it gets!
Only my second visit, Armsby Abbey managed to once again exceed my sky high expectations. Plenty of interesting beers I had never tried on tap, rare top-notch bottles (although you will pay for the privilege with some topping out at $50), and wonderful food. My plate of duck confit over brussel sprouts in a mustard-cream sauce was spectacular. But on to the beer!
Beer Here Hopfix, 7
i think this is the second brewer i have tried from denmark after mikkeller. a clean, hoppy ipa.
d'Achouffe Biere du Soleil, 4
the maltiest saison i have ever tried... tastes more like an amber. no hop presence, dry, dull.
Jack's Abbey Cascadian, 7my first beer from this new framingham-based brewer. a very roasty schwarzbier, perhaps a little heavier than i prefer. encouraging though.
Port Mongo, 8no shortage of citrusy, grapefruit hops here. nice to get port on tap.
Sixpoint Spice of Life Nugget, 8
light colored and cloudy, tangy grapefruit hops. not a bad hop to build a single hop beer around afterall.
Thornbridge Kippling Pale Ale, 6
musty off-note was too much, even for a british pale
Best in show:
Cigar City Marron Acidifie, 10
this
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big bottle was a $38 splurge. i chose wisely at least. a collaborative brew by two personal favorites: the bruery and cigar city. pours a murky red with great lacing. tart cherry and oakiness defines flavor and leads to dry, puckering mouthfeel. sweet notes are what sets this one apart and allows it to keep semblance of drinkability. (glad i had some help drinking it though.) complexity you would expect in beer designed to be paired with a cigar. one of the best american sours i have had.