Posts: 4,951
Threads: 628
Joined: May 2022
Not sure if Saranac is widely available outside the Northeast, but this particular variety is worth looking for:
http://saranac.com/beers/beerdescription...B9261325F0
Until now, every one of their offerings (that I've tasted) has been OK to Good, with a bigger plus being its low price (compared with other OK beers like Sam Adams).
This one is in a different class--Imperial IPA with 85 IBU and 8.5% alc. by volume. Pretty impressive. Part of a new "HIGH Peaks Series" that will release a limited "big beer" every month or so.
Posts: 4,951
Threads: 628
Joined: May 2022
I'm not sure if my understanding of IBU is complete--I tend to like beers with higher IBU (to my understanding a measurement of bitterness), but to me, they all seem to have a unique sweetness to them (like this Imperial IPA, or a Barleywine style ale).
Posts: 19,358
Threads: 1,726
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
When I was first trying to brew beer I tasted a Saranac beer that I smuggled from somewhere (I was 19 at the time). It tasted really nasty to me. It occurs to me now that back then I really like Rolling Rock and Molson, so perhaps my tastes have changed a bit since then. I just remember that it was powerful stuff
Posts: 37,099
Threads: 2,599
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
IPAs are always solid choice.
My recent favorite is Belhaven which isn't common but a nearby pub carries it. Its a nice rich Scottish ale which manages to cross the Atlantic without suffering as much as other ales do.
Traveling through the British countryside transformed my taste for beer after drinking so much of their local "bitters."
Posts: 10,409
Threads: 1,069
Joined: May 2025
I've been generally underwhelmed by Saranac beers and ales. Their regular IPA isn't as good as Harpoon IPA, which I generally buy when nothing else is on sale. But maybe this 'Imperial IPA' will be better—though I can't handle too much alcohol these days.
If you can find any of the Shipyard flavors, I recommend them, particularly the Blue Fin Stout. My local beer store had some for a while, but got into some kind of dispute with the distributor.
/Mr Lynn
Posts: 4,951
Threads: 628
Joined: May 2022
Saranac does make underwhelming beers for the most part--I'd imagine you're talking about the "Pale Ale" (dark green label) which is way more available than their "IPA" (bright green label). The latter is pretty good (IMO) and costs the same as their standard bargain-basement brews. The "Imperial" is 25 or 30% more expensive.
Posts: 10,409
Threads: 1,069
Joined: May 2025
[quote jimbrady]Saranac does make underwhelming beers for the most part--I'd imagine you're talking about the "Pale Ale" (dark green label) which is way more available than their "IPA" (bright green label). The latter is pretty good (IMO) and costs the same as their standard bargain-basement brews. The "Imperial" is 25 or 30% more expensive.
I meant their IPA, actually; got both that and the Pale Ale in a variety 12-pack before Christmas (including some fairly yucky flavored beers). I agree that their Pale Ale is more hoppy (IPA-like) than many, and pretty good; the IPA is even better. So I would not be surprised if the 'Imperial' were good.
Some of the micro-breweries are now selling their offerings in larger bottles (24 oz?), too big for a single drink (for me, anyway). I suppose I could put a stopper in, as I used to in the old days of drinking Carling GIQs (Giant Imperial Quarts), but likely they'll go flat.
This is making me thirsty. . .
/Mr Lynn
