Kendell Worden, Hop City Krog GM
Maine in September is exactly the stuff of Romantic-era idylls and the paintings of the Hudson River School. Breathtaking! I had the immense pleasure of vacationing exactly there and then in 2023. As a Beer Person, you know my itinerary included Allagash, Bissell Brothers, Maine Beer Co, and what was absolutely my hands-down vibe favorite, the Newcastle location of Oxbow. Newcastle is about 90 minutes outside of Portland, but the drive paid off. What better setting to drink S-tier farmhouse ales than adjacent to a lake, farmhouse, and apiary?
You’ll have to source your own rustic setting, but boy, do we have the beers to accompany it!
Oxbow is now here in Georgia!(!!!!! for good measure) On my shelves at the moment, I have five session-worthy, thoughtfully crafted ales and lagers.
Northern Lager ($15.99/4pk) is Oxbow’s version of a landbier (my words). It uses Maine-grown hops, grounding the beer in its country(side) of origin, and it pours an orange-y amber. Mellow, malty and approachable.
Grand Royal ($17.99/4pk) is a Munich-style Helles that is all white bread dough, grass, and chamomile, brewed with reverence for the cleanest and leanest of traditional German lagers.
Luppolo ($17.99/4pk) is a dry-hopped lager, a.k.a., Italian Pilsner. The hops don’t present as prominently in the aroma as with other Pils Italiana, but the finish is drying and moreish. Think of it like a coquettish, reserved interpretation of the style.
Farmhouse Pale Ale ($17.99/6pk) is a yeast-driven but solidly hopped American take on saison that is crisp and sharp with phenols. This is the one I have chopped through the most of since its arrival. Characterful but crushable.
Loretta ($13.99/4pk) is similar to the FPA, but includes grainier, more rustic spelt in the grist. It hews close to a grisette.
Oxbow: always the right beer when you want to perform libation cosplay like a 19th century French farmhand.
