RESURGENCE BREWING COMPANY NY NUGGET SMASH

ABV: 4.6%

> reviewed by Willard Brooks

"Smash” is beer geek speak for “single malt, single hop.” In this case the malt is 100 percent NYS grown and 100 percent malted by NYS Craft Malt out of Batavia. The hops are a variety called Nugget by High Bines out of Niagara County. There is no wild yeast (aka “brett”) in this beer, but if you like the famously bitter XX Bitter IPA by De Ranke, then you will probably like this beer as it strikes this taster as having a similar earthy element. Given the history of Buffalo with the malt industry, this beer is truly deserving of the name “resurgence” as it signals the return of a fabled Buffalo industry. It pours a thin white head and has a nice aroma and a golden color—very spritzy with a medium to light body—very drinkable—have two. This hometown beer would pair well with a plate of medium Buffalo wings with a side of bleu and celery. The taste of the Empire State! Get into the Resurgence taproom at 1250 Niagara Street in Buffalo and try this before it’s gone. Visit ResurgenceBrewing.com

HAMBURG BREWING COMPANY SMALL TOWN SAISON

ABV: 5.2%

> reviewed by Willard Brooks

When HBC was starting up, a test batch of a saison style beer was brewed and it’s pleasing to see this as a flagship offering. As a farm brewery (which Hamburg is) a saison is a fitting choice as this traditional Belgian farmhouse beer style was brewed on farms for the farm hands to drink during the grain harvest. Hamburg’s is made with pilsner malt and wheat malt with a touch of hops. It’s effervescent, dry, perfectly drinkable, and leaves a nice lacing on the glass. The Belgian yeast enjoys a warm fermentation to impart a fruity/spicy undertone and to give this beer its distinct characteristics. This is available year round in the tap room, around this small town, and even at Sabres games. A wonderful choice with roasted chicken at any time of year. Visit the exquisite tap room après ski or anytime at 6553 Boston State Rd in Hamburg. Visit HamburgBrewing.com

BROOKLYN BREWERY 1/2 ALE

STYLE: SESSION SAISON

ABV: 3.4%

> Reviewed by Chris Groves, Certified Cicerone®

Picture this left to right: Taco dip, chicken wing dip, nachos, cheese board, crackers, pepperoni, sopressata, olives, rolled ham, toothpicks, brownies, bean salad, pretzels, plates, napkins and dill pickle potato chips. Looks like a Super Bowl party! It’s BYO so I’m thinking the beer has to cut it with almost any food and be sessionable. I don’t shy away from light American lagers but I do want some flavor zip to keep my attention. Brooklyn 1/2 Ale hit the nail on the head for an “all occasions” beer. It clocks in at just 3.4% ABV, giving you the perfect amount of fun with a ton of flavor to back it up. The pour is a hazy pale yellow, with a citrus and light peppery nose. A light maltiness is intermingled with touches of lemon, pith and refreshing carbonation. 1/2 Ale finishes clean and dry, making the you remember the flavors again with each sip. This is big flavor in a small beer. Maybe football parties aren’t your thing (not mine, either) but an excuse to get together with friends and talk about our old bands over some beers? I’d do it every week if I could. Grab a six and reminisce.