Beer of the week, September 10, 2021

Our Bottlecraft North Park manager, Gene, selects his favorite beer of the week. You can stay up to date on our beer shop favorites through our news feed and also through our Instagram.

1. Stone / Societe – West Coast IPA Collaboration
   West Coast IPA, 7.0%
    
   Two breweries known for their hoppy creations have joined forces for this beer, whose name communicates exactly what is on offer. With an ethos of “the best of both worlds”, the hop-profile leans towards piney Pacific Northwest varietals (as befitting of Stone) while the malt-bill is on the leaner and lighter side (as we have come to enjoy from Societe). The can-art is a real departure for both entities however, with block bold black typography on a plain white background. Stone is famously verbose in their flavor-text, while Societe has embraced a monochromatic aesthetic – this confounds expectations on both fronts!
    
   2) Ayinger – Oktoberfest-Märzen
   Märzen, 5.8%

   I have had the distinct privilege of tasting scores of Märzens over the years and yet Ayinger Oktoberfest-Märzen remains my absolute favorite. In fact, there is no beer that I more look forward to every year as autumn approaches. The brewery is located in the eponymous village of Aying, directly south of Munich. The beer itself is a coppery, goldenrod hue and completely clear. Bready barley-malts, light caramel and a whiff of chestnuts appear on the aroma. The bottom-fermenting lager yeast, as well as lagering process itself, make for an astonishingly bright finish, crisp and clean.

    
   3) Untitled Art – Barrel-Aged Hazelnut Imperial Stout
   Imperial Stout, 13%
    
   This one is for those who enjoy Nutella! While an unbarreled edition of this beer was also available to order, we were more intrigued by the iteration incorporating a spell in wood. The affordability and 16oz can-format were bonuses as well. A collab with Chicago-area Mikerphone Brewing, this dense stout incorporates cacao nibs and lactose as well as aforementioned hazelnuts into the recipe.
    
   Cheers!