Beer pick of the week: Brooklyn Local 2
March 19th, 2009 by Jeff Holland in Drink
Take the local: Brooklyn Local 2
Brooklyn Brewery
Brooklyn, NY
9% ABV
This Belgian-style strong dark ale joins the Local 1, a strong saison, in Brooklyn’s regular lineup. This is good news, indeed, as brewer Garrett Oliver is building a nice portfolio of Belgian-inspired ales. Local 2 is brewed with honey and citrus peel and is refermented in a beautiful imbossed 750-ml cork-and-cage bottle. The Diet Coke-brown color and equally cola-like, quickly-dissipating head leave the impression of a fizzy dark lager, but appearances can be deceiving. There’s plenty of heft to this baby. Burnt sugar, roasty malt, and brown bread yeastiness dominate the aroma, with a hint of herbal spice and nose-tingling alcohol in the background. These flavors carry over to the taste, which is sweet, and slightly roasted, with notes of mild coffee, toffee, chocolate, cherry, raisin, and licorice candy. Herbal hops, the tang of Belgian yeast, and the drying alcohol complement the sweet malts and honey, which only seems evident in the slick, smooth mouthfeel. The body is a bit thinner than might be expected from strong dark ale, but the bright carbonation and clean, dry character are plenty satsifying, as is the flush of alcohol that warms all the way down. A fantastic interpretation of a Belgian ale that should satisfy both purists and extreme beer lovers.
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Another Brooklyn review? I find their beer to be strictly average. On the other hand, here in Georgia, Terrapin just released Rye Squared IIPA.
March 22nd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Brooklyn tends to adhere to classic styles and does an exceptional job. Try this one. I think you’ll find it well above average. And Terrapin gets plenty of props from me. Look for my review of their most recent Side Project this week.
April 11th, 2009 at 7:22 am
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