Archive for the 'Legacy' category
Legacy Brewing Hoptimus Prime
Another brewery has been added to the ever expanding list of breweries distributed here in Massachusetts. Legacy Brewing is based out of Reading, PA and within the past couple of months (to the best of my knowledge) has started distributing their products within Massachusetts. When a new brewery comes to town, I go for one thing first. A type of IPA (either regular or imperial). If the brewery can impress me with their (I)IPA, I find it easier to move onto their other offerings. If the (I)IPA does not “do it” for me, it will make picking up a different one of their beers that much tougher. With that said, Legacy’s beer initiation will be with their IIPA.
To start things off the beer’s name and label art are great. A reference to Transformers in its name and some type of robo-hop-vine character on its label definitely help this beer stand out on the crowded beer shelves. If the label had a heat-sensitive decal which displayed a hop when warmed by ones finger, the label would possibly qualify as the best beer label ever. A man can dream at least.
The beer poured a clear orange-red color, with a pillowy white head. The aroma’s were of hop with a nice pine front and some citrus-grapefruit back. Though the aroma’s were typical of the IIPA variety, they seemed a little more subdued then the typical IIPA. In the mouth the pine shined through the beer’s medium body. With a bitterness through-out the mouth this was definitely an IIPA. Interestingly enough there were some hints of malt and bread mid-mouth which helped in balancing the beer a bit. I would not say it “balanced the beer out”, because the hops came roaring back for a big, bitter finish, but the malt definitely added some depth to the beer. This malt-bread may attribute to the “subdued” hop aromas also. The beer’s 9% abv is well hidden, so this is a beer to be careful with.
Overall a very good beer put out by Legacy and I look forward to future products.
Legacy Brewing Hedonism Ale
There’s absolutely nothing in this world that I love more than a good, healthy dose of hedonism. In fact, recognizing the intrinsic goodness of pleasure is probably as close as I come to a philosophy of life these days; the pursuit of pleasure, as close as I come to any direction or purpose. And since we all now know that I’m a shallow and pleasure-fed individual, I can finally be honest with you: I only bought this beer for its name and the orgiastic depiction on the side of the six pack. I’m a sucker for a clever marketing ploy, and, frankly, sex sells. Or to look at it another way, pleasure sells, which is why hedonism and capitalism make such great bedfellows f***buddies.
The pour is a deep amber with a creamy head, the remnants of which persist around the edge of the glass for a coon’s age, and the aroma is promisingly full of fruity, floral hops. The ale has a really nice presence in the mouth, too, but the taste, unfortunately, leaves a bit to be desired. The hops that smelled so wonderful come across as being a smidge on the bitter side – just enough to prevent the drinker’s hedonistic enlightenment. The aftertaste on the sides of the tongue is sweet and malty, but a tad too metallic-y and bitter for one that sticks around for so long.
I’ve been jonesing for a bitey, hoppy beer for a while, and this definitely delivers so I’m willing to forgive the shortcomings. To me, this is a really-very-good beer that could just use a slight tweak.
