Our Man, G-LO, GLOating Over HIS Bottle of Woods & Waters
While Vacationing at Lermond Pond in Hope, Maine
In late August of the summer just past, I was headed down to the Jersey Shore with Benita and The Urchins for a week of fun in the sun (and a plethora of Boardwalk snacks!). Before leaving, G-LO, who is well known for his generosity, stopped by and provided me with a "Maine Brewers To-Go Bag" (I'm not sure if this is really a thing, but it really should be!).
Having spent a good bit of time in the sun during one of our days away (which is never a good thing for anyone descended from the Emerald Isle), I found myself parched and in need of liquid refreshment, so off I went in search of my goodie bag, and dug deep to find a bottle of the Maine Beer Company Woods & Waters, an India Pale Ale.
Now, I am no newcomer to the Maine Beer Company as G-LO's near-annual pilgrimage to Canadia and his penchant for sharing has brought a number of their fine lineup into my beer fridge. I am especially fond of their Peeper (what's not to love?), Mean Old Tom (sort of suits my disposition) and King Titus (a definite wheelhouse beer for me). Woods and Waters was a new one to me, and since I always like to try the new ones, I figured that as I may as well take my time with this beer and write it up.
We brewed this special IPA to commemorate the establishment of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. We incorporated Maine-grown barley and wheat, along with generous amounts of hops with flavors and aromas of pine and citrus, reminiscent of the outdoors. Cheers to Mother Nature and all she provides us!.Before we get to the review, here is what the Maine Beer Company has to say about their Woods & Waters ...
And here are our impressions...
- ABV: 6.2%
- Appearance: Clover honey color. Slightly cloudy. Thick, lingering head of off-white foam. Oodles of clear, fast rising bubbles.
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Aroma
- Limpd: Citrus with a grapefruit pith. A good bit of sweetness (Honey Smacks?).
- G-LO: Very citrusy with lots of tangerine and grapefruit. A touch of ripe mango. Some honey sweetness playing back-up.
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Taste
- Limpd: Crisp and refreshing. Not as hoppy as the nose would suggest. Mild bitterness in the citrus aftertaste.
- G-LO: Creamy and medium bodied with silky smooth carbonation. Mild bitterness with lots of citrus at the start. A bit of honey sweetness in the middle. Crisp finish with some pithy lemon zest and a bit of astringency in the aftertaste.
The Verdict
Limpd: I have found some IPAs to be so hoppy it is almost a dare to drink them. This was certainly not the case here. The Woods & Waters was so well-balanced and so flavorful that it gave me a new appreciation for a well-crafted IPA. I really enjoyed the "softening" of this IPA. We have another winner!
G-LO: You have to admire the single-mindedness of Maine Beer Company (MBC). There are zero gimmicks when it comes to their beers, and I get the sense that they pretty much ignore all trends (I think the closest they've come to brewing a trendy beer was Weez, a Black IPA) and just stick to brewing beers that THEY like to drink (i.e. Pale and India Pale Ales along with the occasional Stouts and Porters). Woods and Waters is yet another solid and delicious IPA from this brewer. Love the mouthfeel and the citrus on this one! If I were to quibble about anything, I'd say that I was a little lukewarm on the pithyness that showed up in the finish. Other than that one very very minor gripe, I'd say that Woods and Waters is yet another super solid IPA from MBC that is well worth seeking out.
