Year of New Beer: Fest of Ales 2016

Written By: Dion on 09/02/2016

Make no bones about it...the state of Kentucky beer is good. Every year, the number of KY breweries represented at the Fest increases, and every year the quality improves. I was privileged to sample great beers from Country Boy, Akasha, West 6th, White Squirrel, Blue Stallion, Ethereal, Rooster Brew, Braxton, Against the Grain, and probably a few I'm forgetting. But for new beers, a few stood out. First up was Get Weird Blueberry Saison, Jarfly Brewing (Somerset). Beautifully colored with faint blueberry on the nose; just enough sweetness to offset the mineral zest of the Saison base. Second was Barrel Aged Rapture, Dry Ground Brewing (Paducah). Chocolate malt, light coffee bean, and a bit of campfire smoke melt into a really nice imperial stout. Don't sleep on these guys. Lastly was Tropic of Capricorn, Monnik Beer Co (Louisville). Huge, juicy fruits blend with a touch of honey and citrus hop bitterness to form a dangerously drinkable double IPA. If you haven't sampled the wares of Scott Hand, you are quite simply missing out!  I believe we are just a couple of years away from 40 tables of KY beers, and I'm OK with that.