EXPLORING STYLE BREAKERS: The Latest Comfort Beer Out of Massachusetts

Boston just saw the passing of the American Craft Beer Festival, and my lack of attendance meant I lost the chance to taste hundreds of amazing beers and failed to snag myself a pretzel scarf. In attempts to ease the pain, I planned a little trip to Stowe, Vermont to visit a good friend. And I wanted my beer and pretzels, dammit. But I found myself asking, “Hey, you there. What do you bring to a Vermonter who lives within a stones throw of breweries such as The Alchemist and Rock Art Brewery?” I made some peanut butter pretzel cookies (http://acambridgestory.com/post/8426306693/peanut-butter-pretzel-cookies), and then a miracle happened.

My definition of a miracle may be a little loose. One of my favorite breweries announced they had just tapped a Peanut Butter Barrel Aged version of their smoked black lager, Smoke and Dagger. I’m not usually big fan of lagers, but Jack’s Abby has thrown me through a loop, as most of their beers are lagers and I have yet to try one I haven’t loved. Visit the brewery in Framingham, MA, if you can.

Otherwise, look for their beers on tap or bottled at your most likely not-so-local package store. If you visit the brewery, you’ll get a little tour, taste all the beers for free, and you can purchase bottles or growlers. Jack himself will tell you that he named the brewery for his wife, Abby. Aww.

Smoke and Dagger is easily one of my favorites, and the subtle peanut butter flavor added nicely to an already delicious beer. I’m not going to tell you about the head, the mouth feel, or anything like that. Those words sound dirty and that’s The BLager’s job. Just drink it. It’s damn good. Word of advice, though, let this one warm up a little and you’ll really get that nutty goodness. If you want to copy me and pair it with the cookies, I won’t mind. It’s not a decision you’ll regret.

- Written by @smiggins