thirsty thursday

Today on Thirsty Thursday I’m featuring a beer from a local Hudson Valley brewery.  Keegan Ales was founded in 2003 in Kingston, New York.  The brewery has one many awards including 2009 Best Brewery in the Hudson Valley, 2009 Best Brewery in New York State as well as 2009 Best Craft-Brewed Beer in New York State. If you’re in the area, you can get a free tour of the brewery.  Tours are given at the top of the hour from 1-6 PM, Friday through Sunday.  Even better, you can have a meal at the restaurant, which serves fare including appetizers, salads and sandwiches.

Disclaimer:  I am not a beer drinker.  I’ll take a hard cider or fruity cocktail over a beer any day.  My husband who enjoys a beer now and then is by no means a craft beer expert.  However, he enjoys trying new beers and volunteering his thoughts in our Thirsty Thursday posts! 

Keegan Ales brews six beers as well as the occasional seasonal and specialty beer. Today, I’m featuring their Old Capital.  Kingston became New York’s first capital in 1777 and is where the first New York State Senate was established.  Old Capital pays homage to Kingston’s historical significance.  It’s a traditional, golden ale with a slight malty, citrus aroma.  I poured the beer into a Food Network Craft Pub glass.  I’m not sure if it’s the glass, or more likely the way that I poured the beer, but as seen in the photo, there was a HUGE foam head on the beer.  After a little research, I discovered that it’s definitely the way that I poured the beer!

I bought this beer at Acme, where they have a build-your-own six-pack for $11.99.  While they have a limited selection of craft beer and ciders, they almost always have a couple of different beers from local breweries available.  Old Capital is available in bottles throughout the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut).

Verdict:  Recommend.  While there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about this ale, it’s pleasant tasting and my husband would drink it again.

In the past, I’ve done a monthly six-pack review of new-to-us craft beer and ciders.  I’ve decided to switch things up and instead do a weekly “Thirsty Thursday” beverage feature.  These posts will include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and cocktail reviews for your reading and drinking pleasure!  Unfortunately, you probably won’t see a lot of wine reviews here since neither my husband or I are big drinkers of the stuff.

Our first Thirsty Thursday feature is Great South Bay Brewery’s Blood Orange Pale Ale.  The Great South Bay Brewery is a New York State brewery located off the south shore of Long Island.   Rick Sobotka, founder and brewmaster is a native New Yorker, born and raised in the small town of Apalachin, New York.  A graduate of Binghamton University, Sobotka is a board-certified Anesthesiologist and a fourth-generation brewer.  Founded in 2010, Great South Bay Brewery has a 4,000 square-foot Tasting Room with fourteen beers on tap.

Disclaimer:  I am not a beer drinker.  I’ll take a hard cider or fruity cocktail over a beer any day.  My husband who enjoys a beer now and then is by no means a craft beer expert.  However, he enjoys trying new beers and volunteering his thoughts on our Thirsty Thursday posts! 

Review:  Great South Bay Brewery’s Blood Orange Pale Ale is an American Pale Ale.  Blood oranges are blended with the brewery’s original Pale Ale. It has a nice, golden color, reminiscent of the blood orange that it is named for. However, my husband didn’t think the blood orange flavor was particularly evident while drinking it.  While this beer is intended to be a summer beverage, it is available all year long.  My husband thought that this Blood Orange Pale Ale makes a good winter beer since he found it to be thick, smooth and comforting.

Verdict:  Recommend