Introducing News And Brews

There’s something new floating around the Beer and Wine department at Whole Foods Market Hadley–our very own beer buyer, Travis Clark’s excellent newsletter, News and Brews! If you forgot to take one, or just want to save the paper, we’ll be posting the new editions here on the blog for your reading enjoyment. I know they make me thirsty—enjoy!

Belgian Style Pale/Wrigian Ale/Hooksett Ale (NH)
White Birch Brewing Company

Est. 2009 in Hooksett, NH, White Birch is one of the newest New England breweries to reach Massachusetts. We currently have 3 of their brews; the Belgian Style Pale is a dry & crisp blend of subtle hop character & fruity esters; the Wrigian Ale is a Belgian Golden Strong Ale, in the tradition of Duvel & La Chouffe, but a bit lighter & brewed with an abundance of rye, providing an intensely spicy finish; & the Hooksett Ale is a Belgian IPA, with lots of apricot & citrus hop aromas & a bracing shot of bitterness & spice on the palate.
On the Beer wall in the center section, 2nd shelf down, and in the cooler, top shelf.

Chocolate Ale
Boulevard Brewing Company (MO)

One of the more unique chocolate beers being produced today, Boulevard’s Chocolate Ale is brewed with a rare variety of cocoa from the Dominican Republic, and pours a deep ruddy golden color, rather than the deep black of most chocolate stouts. The flavor is a rich blend of cocoa, brandy, caramel, nuts, and a touch of resiny hops.
On the Beer wall, right hand section, 3rd shelf down.

Noble Rot
Dogfish Head Brewing Company (DE)

The newest & one of the more unique offerings from Dogfish, Noble Rot is a “sorta-saison” brewed with must from botrytis-infected Viognier grapes grown in Washington state. Surprisingly light for 9%, with a great mix of barnyardy saison notes & honey & orange citrus botrytis flavors, this beer is a delicious meeting between the worlds of wine & beer. Vocab notes: “must” is freshly pressed grape juice that still contains the stems, skins & seeds; “botrytis” (aka “noble rot”) is a fungus that while occasionally destructive, can also be used to produce some of the finest dessert wines in the world.
On the Beer wall, center section, 4th shelf down.

Union Jack IPA
Firestone Walker Brewing Company (CA)

It’s back! A month or two ago we got what was thought to be a one-time only shot of Firestone’s phenomenal Union Jack IPA- well we were wrong, it’s back, though likely not for long. Brewed with 6 different varieties of Pacific Northwest hops, over 4lbs per barrel, and 5 different malts- Union Jack combines a big grapefruit, and tropical fruit hop profile with a solid caramel malt center for a refined, intense, and balanced drinking experience.
In the cooler, bottom shelf between Stone Brewing and Green Flash.