Beer of the Week! 05/10/22

Alewerks Kalypso’s Island

Regularly $14.99 / Now on Sale for #13.96
Belgian Style Golden Ale with Pineapple, Coconut, and Nutmeg

We know. We know. This shouldn’t work. Pineapple and nutmeg? What? Fortunately, “It Shouldn’t Work” is one of those islands to which Williamsburg’s Alewerks Brewing Company not only has regular shuttle service, but on which they own a swank beach house overlooking the cove. (You know? Like Tony Stark’s house in Iron Man I, II, and III. Man! That place was sweet! Why did the Mandarin have to blow it up? Oops! Sorry for the spoiler.)

Actually, Alewerks had help with the conception of this drink. Cocktail fans will recognize the ingredients from the Painkiller, a rum cocktail that features both pineapple juice, cream of coconut and a sprinkle of nutmeg. That’s right. Kalypso’s Island is yet another “Beer Made to Imitate a Cocktail.”

The good news is that Kalypso’s Island looks to be merely inspired by the Painkiller rather than an attempted carbon copy. So, in the end, it isn’t trying to be anything but a good beer. The pineapple and coconut are subtle enough that they don’t standout. The base Belgian Style Blonde Ale remains the dominant taste. Also, it tastes to us like the Nutmeg provides a bridge between the pineapple and coconut tastes, keeping their edges from clashing with each other. What you get is a very drinkable blonde with notes of fruit and spice. So much better than our idea — The Island of Dr. Moreau Lager. (Although we can still see that turning into a beast of a beer). :P

Bonus Beer of the Week (‘Cause variety is the hop of life.)

Night Shift Santilli

Regularly $14.99 / Now on Sale for $13.96
Hazy IPA

In 2007, in Somerville, MA, Rob Burns, Mike O’Mara, and Michael Oxton started home brewing together after work. They called it their “night shift.” After five years of nocturnal experimentation, the three rented a warehouse in Everett and opened Night Shift Brewing Company. This is what they say about their Santilli IPA …

“Santilli is our flagship American IPA, named after the brewery’s street address in Everett, MA. Its recipe was voted into production by our fans in 2015. The next year, Santilli won the Bronze Medal in the American IPA category at the 2016 World Beer Cup.”

So, the Santilli is an old fashioned IPA lover’s IPA. Though it’s unfiltered, it is not New England Style. It’s much closer to a West Coast IPA in flavor. Maybe there are some fruit notes swimming around there somewhere, but, if so, it’s hard to find them through the grapefruit citrus and pine flavors. However, even though Night Shift is clearly pulling in some Pacific Northwest hops, the beer remains — exactly as Night Shift says it is — a “beautifully balanced, smooth-sipping IPA.”

Remember!

You can see our entire beer inventory on Untappd.com!