12x12 Review: Allagash Variety Pack

Beers included: Allagash Lager, White, Hazy IPA, Tripel

Purchased: 24 April 2025

Purchase Price: $20.99 

Initial Impressions 

When I saw a couple months ago that Allagash was releasing a new pack I decided I would need to review it in this space as soon as I could find it. Allagash is a brewery that has always embodied everything that is right about craft beer. Allagash White is a beer that still transcends craft in that it attracts drinkers who aren’t beer geeks. 

Brew Day & Tasting Notes North Shore Brewers 2025 Q1 Australian Sparkling Ale

When Australian Sparkling Ale was the style pulled at random for my club, the North Shore Brewers first in-club competition of the year, the reaction was “huh?” and “what?”. That is because nobody had ever tasted or brewed an Australian Sparkling Ale. 

That’s is partially true. I brewed an extract kit from Northern Brewer back in 2015. While my initial tasting notes were positive, I recall not finishing the batch and dumping some of the bottles. The recipe kit has since been discontinued. The Pride of Ringwood hops used in the kit and by Cooper’s Sparkling Ale are also no longer available from any homebrew retailer in the US at least that I could find. 

Back to the drawing board it was. 

Brew Day & Tasting Notes: Spring Training Stout (Irish Extra Stout)

"I am so happy" is what I texted a friend on brew day as I brewed this batch. I also unintentionally sent the same message on a group text as I tasted the beer a week after kegging when the carbonation was perfect.

Hello, friend. 

Back when Jennie was still involved in brewing, she enjoyed coming up with beer names as much if not more than brewing or recipe development. In those early days the plan was to come up with seasonal beers like we were Sam Adams. An Irish Stout that would be ready for St. Patrick's Day named Spring Training Stout was just too perfect. Of those early seasonal brews, this is the only one that has stuck.