Lunch Time
Maine Beer Company Lunch IPA
A+
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Unlike some other reviewers, I was unable to try this beer at Sebago’s “End of an Era” party…but the time I went to try it, the keg was empty. Luckily, bottles were released the next day. My bottle has been in the fridge all afternoon. It was filled two days ago, on 5.18.11. I’m pouring it into my Maine Beer Company glass.
A very large off white foam head fills my glass, but it is quickly settling into liquid from the bottom up; the top of the head is remaining at the top of the glass. The liquid is a hazy translucent orange. A few streams of carbonation can be seen rising within. As the head is settling, good lacing is left behind. Swirling leaves a lot of film.
Lunch has an exceptional fresh hop aroma. It’s bitter and has some warm alcohol notes as well. An underlying sweetness is present; it adds an essence of maple syrup to the aroma.
The taste of this beer is a good mix of sweet and bitter. A malty base is tasted first (tastes like pale or crystal malts to me). Grass hops quickly come in. A stronger bitter flavor makes its way to the front as I swallow. Bitterness lingers on.
The beer is medium bodied and has average carbonation. It is slightly sticky and only leaves a little coat. It isn’t nearly as thick as I thought it would be. What is left behind isn’t overly flavorful; just enough to make you want another sip.
Lunch is another impressive beer from MBC. I’m sure that drinking this beer when it is just two days old helps, but I imagine it will hold its own for a number of weeks. I definitely see myself drinking a lot of this; I don’t think I’ll start packing a bottle as much lunch, but it will certainly pair well with many future meals.
In other news: who else is all jazzed up for tomorrow’s 3rd Anniversary party at Novare Res?
