The 15 New England Beers You Need to Try Before You Die

The Alchemist Heady Topper, 8%

Waterbury , VTYou probably have That One Friend who has already gasconade about form the trip to Vermont to wait in line for the Heady Topper . It ’s the can that launched a thousand can releases , the Imperial IPA that ’s responsible for the focus on freshness and ‘ canned on ’ dates . You wo n’t meet a beer fan who is n’t familiar with the magniloquent silver medal can . And yeah , you should be pledge it flat from it , give thanks you very much .

Allagash Avancé, 10.2%

Portland , MEAllagash has been able to take the air the line between complex and crowd pleasing , finding itself on many - a - critic ’s best - of lists , and bucket lists are no elision . Do n’t be fooled : Avancé may taste like a sour , but it ’s actually a fantastic Belgian Strong , maturate in oak tree barrels with strawberries . A beer this good from one of the most overlooked , top - tier up brewery in the country ( let alone New England ) deserve your attention .

Clown Shoes Space Cake DIPA, 9%

Ipswich , MAWhen it comes down to it , Space Cake is a West Coast double IPA born and bred on the East Coast . It ’s an intense formula , but the array of aromatic and bitter hop get together with a malt spine to make it an impressively potable brew . unremarkably , you require to be in SoCal to get something with a record hop flyer like this . Except this was brew out of doors of Salem , not San Diego .

Grey Sail Captain’s Daughter, 8.5%

Westerly , RIIt was n’t terribly long ago when beer chattering about Rhode Island was thin . That seemed to change – and abruptly – when Grey Sail began pumping out brew a few short years ago . Their double IPA Captain ’s Daughter immediately grabbed the spotlight as a balanced , resiny beer that ’s as drinkable as it is complex , and it ’s slowly becoming well-fixed to amount by in the area . Rejoice ! And get hold one .

Hill Farmstead Anna, 6.5%

Greensboro , VTPicking one best beer from Hill Farmstead is like attempt to break up the best Michael Jackson song : so many darlings have to be kill to come in to a determination , it almost feels like you should n’t even try . But the brewery ’s versatility shines in this saison , which uses a portmanteau word of American and European hop and Vermont wild flower love to craft a standout beer among their standout beers .

Jack’s Abby Barrel-Aged Framinghammer, 10%

Framingham , MAIs it an majestic stout ? No … it ca n’t be . It ’s from a famously lager beer - only brewery ! This head - food turner of a baltic Cole Porter has the vanilla and Bourbon dynasty bombast of its barrel - age moody ale full cousin , with a full organic structure and a warming heating . A brewery that has turned an industry packed out with hoppy IPAs and vivid ales is worth observe on mission alone ; when they make beer this good , it ’s out-and-out plot changing .

Lawson’s Finest Liquids Fayston Maple imperial stout, 10.1%

Warren , VTThere are spate of reasons why people clamour over Fayston Maple . It ’s a bucket - listing beer embodying the solace of a winter crownwork , a liquid living up to its “ fine ” moniker , and has a reputation that ’s long since expanded outdoors of New England . It also chance to survive up to the hype – the symmetry is incredible for an imperial stout and the ageability reveals even more complexities in an already - complex brewage .

Maine Beer Co. Dinner, 8.2%

Freeport , MEIt ’s nigh inconceivable to get Dinner outside the brewery without some kind of bottle trade , but that ’s not what makes Lunch ’s big brother so great . It boast an impressive array of hops ( Citra , Falconer ’s Flight , Mosaic & Simcoe , to be precise ) ; even at over 6 lb per barrel , it still finds a room to be balanced . swap online to get your repair is hunky-dory , but route tripping to the brewery is the good fashion to make trusted you ’re acquire the full bracing hop experience .

New England Brewing Co. Imperial Stout Trooper, 8.5%

Woodbridge , CTThis beer pack a lot behind an overtStar Warsreference . For one , it ’s an incredibly well - craft stout with coloured burnt umber and licorice flavors , and has an uncharacteristically hoppy finish . It can be harder to come by than the brewery ’s Fuzzy Baby Ducks IPA ( which , if we could double up on offering , would also be include on this list ) . That this has become a topically - adore favourite should n’t be a surprisal to anyone who ’s tried it .

Night Shift Brewing Whirlpool pale ale, 5.2%

Everett , MAThere ’s a lot to be said about a beer as naughty , peachy , and bright as Whirlpool . It ’s helped put Night Shift on the mathematical function as a local power actor after the cans were first released as a leap seasonal ( add yet another understanding to be happy the weather condition was finally warming up in New England ) . Since , it ’s been added to the brewery ’s year - round roster as a must - try - before - you - snuff it pale ale .

Oxbow Brewing Co. Bowie, 5%

Newcastle , MEWhen Oxbow short collapse onto the scene , it attracted national - level worship ( an impressive exploit considering the body politic is already well over with great beer ) . Their power to harness complex , unique styles is showcased in Bowie , a subtly smoked farmhouse ale . Those who make the route trip north of Portland to visit the brewery will not be let down .

Pretty Things Our Finest Regards, 13.5%

Cambridge , MAIt was only a few year ago when I was peruse the shelf at my hometown pot liquor store when I picked up my first bottle of Pretty Things beer . It quickly became a go - to recommendation for any friends who were visiting New England in hunting of salutary beer . I was pose this list together when I get some terrible news : Pretty Things is shutting down operations and will no longer be making beer . This is a heartbreak of epical proportions , and if you plan on being able to span this luscious barley wine off your bucket list , you ’ve got one last chance to do it .

Mystic Brewery Spectral Evidence, 12%

Chelsea , MAGoing with an imperial stout from a brewery acknowledge mostly for their saisons may seem like a strange choice for a bucket list . But this feeding bottle remain firm on many merits , and even though it can be tough to track down , it ’s earned its place on this list for its deep roast deep brown and deep brown feeling , all brewed with a aboriginal Massachusetts barm .

Tree House Brewing Co. Julius, 6.8%

Monson , MAAnyone looking to render Julius : await to hold back hours . Seriously . When gain out to beer geek supporter who ’ve made the trek themselves , no one waitress less than two and a one-half hours , and some waited as long as four . But this is the stuff of can release legend , and it does n’t lie on hoopla alone . The soft carbonation create a velvety mouthfeel almost like you ’re sucking on laurel wreath of mango and passionfruit with a hint of dry sens on the finishing . The tough sexual conquest is clearly deserving it in this case .

Trillium Fort Point pale ale, 6.6%

Boston , MATrillium notably survived a temporary closure due to a licensing singultus in 2014 , but it seems as though their brief absence has only help strengthen their emplacement in the hearts of their drove of rooter . Fort Point wan ale is easily a favorite amongst supporters , with a diffused mouthfeel that reminds you why it pays to dip back down from purple IPAs into pale ale territory . For a beer on a list of thing you should try before you die , it ’s a remarkable , drink - every - day kind of beer .

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