All Aglow for Allagash

No, not the USS Allagash. It’s August 27, 2008, and we ask: "Is there a better time to identify a great summer beer?" Don't answer that; it was rhetorical.

My new favorite cure all for the hot, hazy, humid mid-Atlantic summer is Allagash White. The Allagash folks were kind enough to start a brewery in Portland, ME and that’s important because it’s the home of the Buffalo Sabres new minor league affiliate the Portland Pirates. I’ve never been to Portland but a northeast city with a brewery and a hockey team is alright in my book any day of the week. It turns out there are some pretty good qualities found in both Portland and my home town. I’ll let somebody else wax poetic on urban comparisons. With the discovery of Allagash and the Sabres new affiliate I have two outstanding reasons for a New England road trip.

The point here is to talk up Allagash White. It’s a wheat beer and I’m generally not a wheat beer fan. White falls under the “Classic” lineup of Allagash brews and I’m sure all the classics are great. I think I’m sure but I’ve only been able to find White in my corner of the world. I have only found it in 12 oz. bottles but the rumor is you can get it in 750 ml bottles and kegs. Sometimes I drink straight from the bottle and other times I pour into a pint glass but that’s just so I can enjoy the view. White is a more sophisticated beer with plenty of spices, which probably gives White its funky smell (funky in a good way). It is cloudy gold look but don’t hang your entire beer drinking experience on whether or not you can see your hand behind the glass of beer. The flavor is not too strong but you can't miss the spices and citrus notes. I think it’s best enjoyed refrigerator cold. It is a light-bodied beer with a clean finish and is quite refreshing for a beer. Refreshed or not, you’re going to want another. In fact, if you’ll excuse me…

Creating a Logo

So, we have a logo. Sure, there is a first draft business plan but let's be honest - business plans are far less inspiring and creative than logos. Business plans are filled with jargon, rationality, numbers and justifications. Any good logo is a beautiful work of art that speaks to the public and defines an organization. Everybody knows the Red Cross logo, the Ford Oval, and the Sierra Nevada nature scene. If you don't know these then you need far more help than we can offer.

At the risk of it being poached we will provide a brief description. Hopefully it will be vague enough to remain original when we release an image yet described well enough that you get a good sense of where we are going. Without further adieu....

We are seeing the name of the brewery written in an upside down "U" formation, effectively serving as the border of the crest. Inside the crest and coming from a distance is the bridge with Bison standing at the ready. Behind the bridge an image or silhouette of the major architecural accomplishment of the city. Colors - TBD.

If you can picture it in your head you're getting a feel for where the brewery is going. The next step is to find a graphic designer/artist to scope it out and make it real. When we have that we'll post it here for all the world to see.

Working on Saturday

Nobody likes it when you work on the weekend. So, blow off the boss and enjoy the best thing to come out of Canada since hockey. Oh, and turn on some sports too.

Feed My Franklinstein

Thirsty for beer and it's feeding time. One of the better brewpubs in the metro area is a little place just across the border. The food is fine - stick with the sandwiches and the pizzas, throw in an appetizer for starters, and you can't go wrong. Really, the beer is the reason you visit Franklin's. Of course, it's the reason you visit any brewpub.

One of the great features of Franklins is the 64 oz. take home growler. Enjoy a brew at the upstairs bar and if you fall in love with it take some home. Or, have one brew and enjoy an entirely different one at home. This particular visit found me enjoying the Rubber Chicken Red. Rumor has it the brewer is not a big fan of reds but you wouldn't know it when you drink from the chicken. What did I take home with me? The Coffee Stout. This is a great dark, dare I say black, beer that provides a nice cream colored head when poured. It has a distinct coffee aroma and there is a wonderful coffee taste. It's a somewhat complicated flavor, really but even for those who prefer a lighter beer this is a great option.

We can go on raving about the Franklin's brews for days but maybe you'd like to know more about the place. It was formerly a sandwich shop and the owner lives within minutes of the building - a truely local owner is a wonderful find. It has the restaurant downstairs with the bar and additional seating upstairs. Don't overlook the fact that it's also attached to a toy store that has fun and games for both the kiddies and the adults. We won't dwell on the kids toys but know that after you fill your growler you should stop by the store to purchase a nice hard-to-find microbrew. Everything from DogFishHead to Chimay to brews of the world. Fill your fridge with equal parts Franklin's beers and microbrews. It's one stop shopping for the microbrew lover in all of us. Franklin's truly is the best little pourhouse in Maryland!

D-liner Lunch

The first post was supposed to be more official sounding - an announcement of the arrival of the Dumbarton blog. But this is a blog revolved around beer and the enlightenment it brings and today is no exception. I just took a bit of a lunch at the D-liner, the area's leading Irish pub, and this always involves some food and beer. Smithwick's was the choice today - just enough to whet the pallet as many of us have a day job. The beer was cold, the barkeep cheerful, and the friends were entertaining. How does that not break up the start of a work week.

Smithwick's is a fine beer - of course, it's Irish so it must be fine. If it's Belgian, German, or Irish how bad can it be? It's good for these hot, humid days when one has to bear the sun's beating as he returns to the office. My guess is that Smithwick's is Ireland's version of Budweiser - a good everyday beer that nobody should be ashamed of drinking. It provides a refreshing taste and finishes clean. Certainly a brew that, if you can find it locally, is worth having a pint or two.

So next time you find yourself looking for a refreshing lunch hour beverage be sure to consider Smithwick's or really any fine Irish brew. If that won't suffice don't let the hour of the day prevent you from enjoying a cold one. Now, if you can't find a reason to have a brew in the afternoon, well, maybe you're reading the wrong blog.