Coney Island Brewing – Mermaid Pilsner
The flight from Portland, Oregon to JKF airport in NYC is just over 5 hours and if you’re over 5 feet tall it can be a rough trip. Crammed into seat with a 2 year old behind you kicking your spine and screaming, “I want to get out of here” at the top of their lungs the whole flight as you tap uselessly against the broken touch screen entertainment system and fend off the pushy elbows of the guy next to you, it can seem like a very personalized circle of hell. By the time you land and finally get out the door of the plane and into the airport itself it can feel a bit like you’ve come up for air after an impossibly long water-boarding session.
In that frame of mind, the offer of a cold local pilsner from a friendly New Yorker comes with the sound of a choir of angels and reminds you how much world changing power kindness has.
This pilsner is appropriately named, since it is so obviously a Mermaid. Buxom, beautiful, graceful, with a floral scent and a supernatural power to make you forget your worries and follow it down into the deep. I wanted to make a life with her down in that quiet world. We could be happy, I thought. But all too soon she was gone and I was left with only the memory of our short time together.
For those who enjoy a pilsner for its easy, light drinkability, but also enjoy some floral hop and a generous spiciness from rye malts, set aside a moment for yourself to truly enjoy this brew.
5/5
The Brooklyn Brewer – Brooklyn Brown Ale
I followed the pilsner with this very tasty brown ale. For anyone who likes Newcastle Nut Brown, this is a bit of a cross between that and a dark, serious porter. If Brooklyn were capable of having pugnacious soccer hooligans, they would be this beer. A cold New York winter could be warmed nicely by this roasty brew, hinting at coffee, caramel, and lots of malts. Somewhat sweet for my tastes, but with the remaining Beastie Boys (we all miss you dearly, MCA) being in their more distinguished years now, a bit of sweetness from a Brooklyn brew seems appropriate. The tough-guy borough having changed its tone to avocado toast and waxed mustaches, this ale is hip.
4/5