Why we picked it: While I've never been a fan, Bill abides by Long Trail and they truly are one of the forefathers of the microbrewery movement. Plus, this seems like an appropriate selection as we shift into winter brews. we do have back to back scoth ales to compare
What Long Trail has to say: A Vermont classic returns in 2017! Built to take the bite from a cold winter night, Hibernator features a rich malt base highlighted by warming notes of caramel and toffee. Don't sleep on this rich, robust winter brew. Last year we awoke the bears with a limited run of cans offered at our brewery in Bridgewater Corners. In 2017, we're culminating a year of throwing it back to our roots, by sending Hibernator out for a full run of distribution in 6pks and 12pks of 12 ounce bottles and on draught. Keep your eyes out for it as the weather cools down!
ABV: 6%
IBU: 32
Fun Fact: The first batch of Long Trail Ale® rolled off the line in 1989. Back then the brewery—known as the Mountain Brewers—was a modest brew house tucked into the basement of the Old Woolen Mill in Bridgewater Corners, with the goal to brew an affordable, American-made alternative to the pricey German and English exports that filled the shelves. At the time, the craft brewing industry in America was on the rise and Vermont was better known for maple syrup than beer. In 1989, Long Trail Ale® hit the taps at local watering holes; blazing the trail for Vermont's craft brewing industry.
7 pm and I'm first? I do hope you all have just decided to save your daily beer for after your happy hours.
ReplyDeleteBig fan of Long Trail. And this may be the first time it has ever appeared in the 24 days of beer. It was back in aught three. Ro and I had just gotten engaged and we were looking for a quick summer trip that was cheap. So we drove around Vermont for 5 days. Back then there was no Heady Topper but we still went to as many breweries as we could and Long Trail was definitely my favorite. They didn't distribute in DC at the time and so I drank as much as I could up there and also picked up a sweet t-shirt. Which I still wear to this day. Probably too often. But it still fits which is more than I can say about most t-shirts I bought 14 years ago. I was once confronted at the 9:30 Club by some woman who told me I shouldn't wear the shirt since the brewer was a wife-beater. I googled that and found nothing so I assume she was just on the Magic Hat or Otter Creek payroll.
Anyway, on to the beer. First sip is very malty. I'm not much of a malt guy. But this got pretty smooth in a hurry and I like it. These non-spiced winter ales seem more like regular ambers or Oktoberfests. Not sure where that line of demarcation is. But I like this. Would definitely purchase again. 3.5 Bernie Sanders.
I have no long trail stories. Did go to Vermont for a wedding. Visited the magic hat brewery. Ended the wedding night drinking bud light and listening to techno music. Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteCan't say that about this beer though. Bland. Weakest so far. 1.5 catamounts.
Despite vacationing in VT for the past 15 years with my in-laws I haven't really developed any attachment to Long Trail. Mostly order it when out for dinner out of obligation to the locals, then settle back into the Victory that my brother-in-law has brought up. Since it's seasonal I've never had this one before and I think it mostly fits in with other brews from LT. OK, but not great. The Hibernator's not going to make this my hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby danced with Danny F-ing Kaye. 2.5 Chunky Monkeys
ReplyDeleteNice winter beer. Not too sweet or spicy. Laura liked it too.
ReplyDeleteMy only regret is that I have to give Bill credit. This was a very nice selection, and I would give this Scottish Ale a slight nod over last night's brew as it is more full bodied and less sweet. It really has a comfort to it that makes a good winter brew.
ReplyDeleteI have no real Vermont stories other than hiking Mt. Mansfield on a beautiful sunny fall day, and going out drinking with a friend from HS who is now a cop there (definitely odd bar hopping with police office). Oh, and later than night watching an amazing Randy Johnson and Arizona Diamondback defeat the Yankees in the World Series (I'll leave it to the reader to do the math on how long ago that was).
Oh, and I forgot: 2 Bens and 1.5 Jerrys (3.5 total)
DeleteI liked it. Though maybe because I was forced to drink Amstel light at a holiday party the night before after the fat tire ran out. 3 Christmas cookies and an eggnog.
DeleteI don't normally choose Scotch ales when I'm picking out beer, so this and last night's were a good change, I enjoyed them both. And I drank them from a goblet (or was it a tulip?) as suggested on the can of the first one. Honestly couldn't tell too much difference from one night's to the other's so I'll give them both 3.5 jingle stars.
ReplyDeleteI like this a lot. I find it much better than the other two that I think were in this category (DC Brau's "The Stone of Sheperdeth" and the Fisher's Popcorn beer.) This has some great warm winter flavors - kinda malty-coffee-toffee-y. Probably not something I would normally get on my own, but really glad this made the cut. I sort of feel like if I lived in a big house with one of those really big libraries (you know, the ones with the really high shelves and the wheelie ladders that you use to get the books up top; also, it would have a cool looking globe, a liquor cabinet, and a billiards table), I would put on my smoking jacket, look at the window as new snow fell, and drink this beer (albeit, I would drink it in a very fancy glass.) Of course, one of my actual neighbors would probably start up with some sort of damn leaf blower and kill the vibe, but at least I would be enjoying this very excellent beer. I rate this 3.5 leather bound fancy books (the kind that would make me look smart.)
ReplyDeletewow, great beer. really nice malt profile. I think the aftertaste was was a bitt bitter, but nothing out of the ordinary. Thank god they didn't try to add smoke flavor, which real Scottish beers don't do.
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