SnoopDog Books

Columbia, Md.

Copyright © 2007 by Dorling Kindersley LimitedText Copyright © Michael Jackson

This SnoopDog pocket guide edition July 2010.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, or otherwise, without prior written permissions from the publisher.

Additional text contributions by Lorenzo Dabove, Alastair Gilmour, Geoff Griggs, Tim Hampson, Bryan Harrell, Stan Hieronymus, Conrad Seidl, Willie Simpson, and Derek Walsh

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or part in any form.

Cover design by Tim ConwayBook design by Tim Conway

Body text set in Franklin Gothic Book

Headings set in Rockwell and Franklin Gothic Book

ISBN 901-2-3456-789

BREWERIES - A-ZAllagash

Portland, ME

BerkshireDeerfield, MA

Blue PointPatchogue, NY

BrooklynBrookyln, NY

Dogfish HeadMilton, DE

Flying FishCherry Hill, NJ

D.L. GearyPortland, ME

GeneseeRochester, NY

HarpoonBoston, MA

Heavy SeasBaltimore, MD

Iron HillMultiple, DE and PA

LionWilkes-Barre, PA

Long TrailBridgewater Corners, VT

Magic HatBurlington, VT

Old DominionDover, DE

OmmegangCooperstown, NY

Otter CreekMiddlebury, VT

PennPittsburgh, PA

Samuel AdamsBoston, MA

SaranacUtica, NY

ShipyardPortland, ME

SmuttynosePortsmouth, NH

SouthamptonSouthampton, NY

Stoudt’sAdamstown, PA

TröegsHarrisburg, PA

VictoryDowningtown, PA

YuenglingPottsville, PA

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BELGIAN ALE - 4, 9, 17, 17, 17, 26, 29

STOUT - 5, 7, 8, 17, 20, 27

PORTER - 5, 14, 15, 25, 26

WHEAT - 4, 7, 12, 21

DARK LAGER - 6, 12, 15, 22, 22, 30

MISCELLANEOUS - 7, 8, 11, 16, 20, 23, 26

PALE LAGER - 13, 27, 29

PALE ALE - 10, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 28

INDIA PALE ALE - 8, 13, 28, 29

BITTER - 9, 10, 22, 24

BEER STYLES

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INTRODUCTIONFor more than 200 years, American brew-

ers produced only ales. Most of their prod-ucts were based on British styles, until ales were usurped by lagers in the 1840s. Thus, it shouldn’t be a surprise that many British-inspired beers survive to this day, especially in the Northeast.

The Northeast has many reminders of its ale-drinking past, including Longfellow’s Wayside Inn near Sudbury, Massachusetts, which received its tavern license in 1716, and Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan, where George Washington drank. However, the region is also rich in "old-line" regional lager breweries, many of whose buildings are today historic and architectural landmarks. Before the global and national brands of the brew-ing giants overwhelmed the US beer scene, the beers of the old-line breweries were the foremost regional tipples.

The old-line breweries may have had to reinvent themselves to survive, but most still produce lagers. Perhaps that explains why traditional and nouveau reside together more comfortably in this region than in most (only the Midwest would be comparable). The breweries of Pennsylvania are a case in point, with old-line Lion reinvigorating its Stegmaier line, and small breweries such as Penn, Stoudt’s, and Victory producing outstanding traditional lagers.

Vermonters are fierce advocates of their local brews, but most beer-drinkers now ac-cept that beer styles have broken out of their former regional boundaries. You are just as

likely to find a Northwest hop-influenced beer in Washington as you are in Pennsylvania. And while Brewery Ommegang in upstate New York is known for its Belgian-style beers, so too is Flying Fish in New Jersey. Tradition and change go hand in hand in the Northeast.

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- Michael Jackson Editor-In-Chief

ALLAGASHThe StoryInspired by his first taste of Celis White, Rob Tod set up Allagash in 1994 as a one-man operation selling a single beer—the classic All-agash White, which remains the flagship beer. All Allagash beers are inspired by Belgian traditions, but as the company has expanded, its portfolio has moved beyond the basic dubbel-tripel-quad line-up. Tod’s brewing experiments have included aging beer in whisky and wine barrels, and cultivating his own strain of wild yeast.

WHITE 5.0% ABV - WitbierHazy; fruity and refreshing, with coriander and Curacao orange peel remaining nicely in the background.

The Beers

INTERLUDE 9.5% ABV - Belgian Strong AleOaky and playfully tart, with a lactic character balanced by fleshy and citric fruits.

The Brewery100 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103Tours: M-F:11am, 1pm, 3pmwww.allagash.com

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BERKSHIREThe StoryWith the help of friends and family, Gary Bogoff and Chris Lalli trans-formed an old cigar factory into what has become the local brew-ery for western Massachusetts. Production began at the Berkshire Brewing Company in 1994; despite three expansions and increased output, Bogoff and Lalli have managed to maintain their committ-ment to the freshness of their unfiltered, unpasteurized beers. The company handles almost all distribution, with most of its beer being sold on draft, and much of the rest in 64-ounce growlers (jugs).

DRAYMAN’S PORTER 6.2% ABV - PorterA big, chocolatey, roasty nose with hints of coffee promises freshness; rich-tasting, with a moderately dry finish.

The Beers

IMPERIAL STOUT 8.5% ABV - Imperial StoutSmells like double-chocolate, chocolate-chip cookies right out of the oven and just a little burned, followed by molasses, caramel, and hints of smoke.

The Brewery12 Rail Road Street South, Deerfield, MA 01373Tours: Saturday: 1pm www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com, (413) 665-6600

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BLUE POINTThe StoryLong Island’s Blue Point Brewing grew into a regional brewer less than eight years after beer sales began in 1998. Pete Cotter and Mark Burford built their brewery in a former ice factory using equip-ment acquired from defunct breweries, much of it from Maryland’s Wild Goose Brewery. Cotter and Burford removed the brick surround of the Peter Austin-system brewkettle by hand, then reassembled it around the kettle in their own premises.

Although its flagship beer is a lager (Toasted Lager), Blue Point also produces a range of traditionally made ales. Its draft beer, easi-ly found on tap all over Long Island and into New York City, is brewed in Patchogue; bottled-beer production is contracted out.

TOASTED LAGER 5.3% ABV - Vienna Lager“Toasted” refers to the fact that the brewing kettle is direct-fired, but it also describes the final toasty-nutty impression of this easy-drinking lager.

The Beers

The Brewery161 River Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772Tasting Room: Th-F: 3-7pm, Sat: 12-7pm www.bluepointbrewing.com, (631) 475-6944

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BROOKLYNThe StoryBrooklyn was once home to 48 breweries, but they had all closed by the time homebrewer Steve Hindy, a former news correspon-dent, and Tom Potter, his banker and neighbor, set up the Brooklyn Brewery in 1987. Matt Brewing in Utica brewed their first beer under contract and still produces the bulk of it. In 1996, the duo opened their own brewing premises, which became the city’s first commer-cial building to derive 100% of its electricity from wind-power. Now a neighborhood fixture, the brewery is a Friday night community-gathering spot where locals bring their families for happy hour. As well as brewing specialty drafts in Brooklyn, the brewery recently introduced a line of Belgian-inspired, bottle-conditioned ales sold in corked 750ml bottles. Brewmaster Garrett Oliver’s book, The Brew-master’s Bible, has become a bible for those promoting the role of beer at the dining table.

BLACK CHOCOLATE STOUT 10.6% ABV - Imperial StoutA pitch-black, viscous mixture of dark fruits, port, and, of course, chocolate.

The Beers

BROWN 5.6% ABV - Brown AleCaramel, chocolate, and perhaps plum; a hint of smoke and a coffee-dry finish.

BROOKLYN WEISSE 5.1% ABV - HefeweizenEffervescent and fruity (mostly banana), with spicy cloves. Refreshing.

The Brewery1 Brewers Row, 79 North 11th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211Tours: Sat-Sun: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm www.brooklynbrewery.com, (718) 486-7422

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DOGFISH HEADThe StoryFounder Sam Calagione has been one of the most influential figures in the US craft-brewing movement since starting the Dogfish Head Brewing and Eats brewpub in Rehoboth Beach in 1995. Dogfish Head has since built a packaging brewery, then a bigger one, then expanded that.

The brewery is true to its motto: “Off-centered ales for off-cen-tered people.” It brews beers with unusual components or extreme amounts of ingredients, creates novel brewing devices, such as the “organoleptic hop trasducer module” (which adds hop flavor to its beer as it is dispensed), and offers a Dogfish 360-Degree Experi-ence weekend at the brewery for those who want to immerse them-selves completely in the world of Dogfish beers.

MIDAS TOUCH 9.0% ABV - Historic BeerBrewed to a recipe based on pottery from King Midas’s tomb. The ingre-dients-white Muscat grapes, honey, and saffron-all show themselves.

The Beers

60 MINUTE IPA 9.0% ABV - India Pale AleHopped continuously for 60 minutes. Brimming with hop flavor and quite bitter.

WORLDWIDE STOUT 18% ABV - Imperial StoutRightfully compared to port; dark fruits and ripe berries mingle with a solid dose of alchohol; chocolate, roasted malt, even tar. A warming stout.

The Brewery6 Cannery Village Center, Milton, DE 19968Tours: Tue-Sat pm; times vary by seasonwww.dogfish.com, (302) 684-1000 or 1-888-8DOGFISH

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FLYING FISHThe StoryFlying Fish founder Gene Muller launched his brewing company on the Internet. Muller’s idea was not only to generate publicity, but also to let visitors to his website see how a craft brewery is put together and give them a chance to get involved. By the time the first beers went on sale in 1996, his cyber-fans had helped to name beers and design T-shirts and labels; asked to be taste-testers; and applied for jbos at the brewery.

DUBBEL 7.3% ABV - DoubleChocolate mingled with dark fruit, delivered with a pleasant whiff of alcohol; finish is on the sweet side of dry.

The Beers

ESB 5.5% ABV - Extra Special BitterFruity nuttiness blended with caramel; medium dry finish.

The Brewery1940 Olney Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003Tours: Sat: 1-4pm www.flyingfish.com, (856) 489-0061

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D.L. GEARYThe StoryBefore founding D.L. Geary Brewing in Portland in 1986, David Geary worked in a number of small commerical breweries from the south coast of England to the Highlands of Scotland in order to re-search and learn the brewing craft. One of these was Scotland’s Traquair House brewery, whose founder, Peter Maxwell Stuart, was Geary’s mentor.

D.L. Geary was the 13th microbrewery to open in the U.S. Geary bought in English brewing consultant Alan Pugsley to set up the brewery. For many years, the only products produced year-round were the flagship Pale Ale and the rich London Porter, a modest 4.5% and 4.2% ABV.

HAMPSHIRE SPECIAL ALE 7.0% ABV - Strong AleNo longer brewed “only when the weather sucks.” Complex balance of slightly burned caramel, light fruits, and warming alcohol; traditional bitter finish.

The Beers

PALE ALE 4.5% ABV - Pale AleA showcase for the Ringwood yeast. Fruity with underlying caramel, and slick over the tongue.

The Brewery38 Evergreen Drive, Portland, ME 04103Tours: By appointmentwww.gearybrewing.com, (207) 878-2337

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GENESEEThe StoryGenesee Brewing, founded in Rochester, New York, in 1878, re-named itself High Falls in 2000 and reverted back to the Genesee Brewing moniker in 2009 when the company was sold to North American Beverages. It continues to produce beers under the Gen-esee name and also produces the J.W. Dundee brand and several others. The brewery also keeps busy with contract-brewing, operat-ing near its capacity of 3.5 million barrels per year.

GENESEE CREAM ALE 4.9% ABV - Cream AlePale in color; faintly sweet with cooked-corn flavors, but smooth and easy-drinking.

The Beers

The Brewery445 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14605Tours: Only in conjunction with special eventswww.geneseebeer.com

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HARPOONThe StoryThe Harpoon brewery was founded on Boston’s waterfront in 1987 as the Mass Bay Brewing Company. It later reinvented itself as Har-poon, acquired the defunct Catamount Brewery in Windsor, Ver-mont, and built a glistening new brewhouse at its original location.

Harpoon’s five beer festivals—three in Boston each year and two at its Windsor brewery—are all huge events that draw thousands of beer-drinkers. The brewery also recently began a popular 100 Bar-rel Series, in which a Harpoon brewer picks a style, writes a recipe, and brews a single batch of 100 barrels for a one-off sale.

UFO HEFEWEIZEN 5.0% ABV - HefeweizenUnfiltered and cloudy; straightforward and refreshing; meant to be served with a slice of lemon.

The Beers

MUNICH DARK 5.5% ABV - DunkelRich, almost sweet, with hints of toast, then chocolate; restrained hops; long smooth finish.

The Brewery306 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210Tours: Sat: 1130am-5pm; Sun: 12-3pmwww.harpoonbrewery.com, 1-888-HARPOON

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HEAVY SEASThe StoryIn 1989, Hugh Sisson opened Baltimore’s first brewpub, Sisson’s, after successfully lobbying the Maryland legislature to make brew-pubs legal. He sold Sisson’s in 1995 to start Clipper City. Operating as a stand-alone brewery, Clipper City began with the Heavy Seas and Chesapeake brands. In 1998, it acquired Maryland craft brew-ery Oxford Brewing and its popular Oxford Raspberry Wheat Beer, and also produces beer under contract for other breweries. In 2010, the brewery dropped the Clipper City moniker and rebranded itself Heavy Seas.

SMALL CRAFT WARNING 7.5% ABV - Strong LagerPacking a considerable punch for a pale beer, Heavy Seas’ malt sweetness is quickly overtaken by a sturdy bitterness.

The Beers

The Brewery445 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14605Tours: Only in conjunction with special eventswww.geneseebeer.com

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LOOSE CANNON 7.3% ABV - India Pale AleA hops cocktail; this is a perfectly composed beer.

IRON HILLThe StoryIron Hill opened its first brewery-restaurant in Newark, Delaware, in 1996. It now has six such establishments and plnas to open at least five more in the Mid-Atlantic states. The balance between dining-room and bar varies from location to locations, but the focus on beer never wa-vers. Brewing across a wide range of styles, some rather esoteric, Iron Hill’s brewers have been medal-winners at the Great American Beer Festival for 10 years in succes-sion.

PIG IRON PORTER 5.4% ABV - PorterRoasty, rich, and complex; coffee blended with prunes and dark cherries.

The Beers

The BreweryBrewery-Restaurant, Multiple locations in DE and PAwww.ironhillbrewery.com

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LION BREWERYThe StoryWith a brewing tradition dating back to 1857, the Lion Brewery survived against the odds while a host of other regional brewer-ies in northeast Pennsylvania went to the wall. One of these was the nearby Stegmaier Brewery, whose portfolio of beers Lion pur-chased in 1974 when Stegmaier closed its doors. Lion managed to keep brewing at close to capacity by contract-brewing, producing nonbeer drinks, and adding new beer brands. More recently it has upgraded its brewhouse and released a new line of popularly priced Stegmaier seasonal beers.

STEGMAIER PORTER 5.5% ABV - PorterMildly roasty, medium body, with chocolate and dark fruits.

The Beers

The Brewery700 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes -Barre, PA 18705Tours: Sat: 11amwww.lionbrewery.com, 1-888-295-BEER or 1-800-233-8327

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STEGMAIER BREWHOUSE BOCK 6.2% ABV - BockPart of the new Stegmaier line. Rich, moderately bready; smooth and balanced.

LONG TRAILThe StorySpecializing in German-style ales, Long Trail was founded in 1989 in the basement of the Bridgewater Woollen Mill. It soon developed into a dominant regional brand, selling more draft beer than any brewery in Vermont. In 1995, Long Trail moved into its new brewery, which dominates the tiny town of Brigewater Corners in the Green Mountains. Popular in winter with off-piste skiers, it is best to visit during the summer, so that you can sample the Long Trail brews on the streamside patio.

LONG TRAIL ALE 5.0% ABV - AltbierDeep copper; smooth malt aromas and hop spiciness, but without the incessant hop bitterness of the German alts.

The Beers

The BreweryJunction Route 4 and 100A, Brigewater Corners, VT 05035Self Guided Tours at Visitor Center: 10am-7pmwww.longtrail.com, (802) 672-5011

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MAGIC HATThe StoryFavoring “non-style” beers with esoteric names and unique pack-aging, Magic Hat seems to be the brewing equivalent of the mold-breaking ice-cream makers Ben & Jerry’s (another of Vermont’s success stories). Everything associated with the brewery reminds drinkers that Magic Hat aims to be the “alternative” —and that in-cludes a brewery tour akin to stepping into a cartoon!

#9 4.6% ABV - Pale AleStraightforward flagship beer; apricot-infused, with other subtle stone-fruit flavors; dry finish.

The Beers

The Brewery5 Bartlett Bay Road, Burlington, VT 05403Tours at Artifactory: M-Sat: 10am-7pm, Sun: 12-5pmwww.magichat.net

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HEART OF DARKNESS STOUT 5.3% ABV - Sweet StoutSmoky; roasty, thick, and a tad oily; chocolate aftertaste.

OLD DOMINIONThe StoryJerry Bailey, a former government employee, founded Old Dominion Brewing in 1989. He began by producing German-inspired beers before developing a strong range of brands across all styles. Old Dominon also makes several award-winning contract beers for oth-er companies. The brewery was recently sold to Coastal Brewing, a joint venture of Fordham Brewing and Anheuser-Busch. Fordham operates the Rams Head taverns in Maryland as well as its own brewery.

TUPPERS’ HOT POCKET 6.0% ABV - Pale AleHop pockets are sacks for transporting hops. Flowery nose; crisp malt middle; long, spicy-citrus bitter finish.

The Beers

The Brewery1284 McD Drive, Dover, DE 19901Tours: Available by reservation only.www.olddominion.com, (302) 678-4810

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OMMEGANGThe StoryOriginally a partnership between Belgian and American companies, Ommegang was designed to resemble a Belgian farmhouse brew-ery, and has brewed in that spirit since opening in 1997. In tribute to the quality of its output, brewmaster Randy Thiel became the first American brewer “knighted” by the Belgian brewers’ organization Knights of the Mashing Fork.

Duvel Moortgat took full control of operations in 2003, even brewing some of Ommegang’s beer at its Belgian brewery while Om-megang expanded production capacity.

OMMEGANG 8.5% ABV - Abbey AleThe flagship beer, Ommegang is produced in the spirit of a Christmas beer; rich and chocolatey, with underlying licorice and festive-season spices.

The Beers

The Brewery656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326Tours: May-Sept: 11am-6pm; Winter: 12-5pmwww.ommegang.com, (800) 544 1809 or (607) 544 1800

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HENNEPIN 7.7% ABV - SaisonSpicy-peppery throughout, playing against various fleshy fruit flavors.

THREE PHILOSOPHERS 9.8% ABV - Belgian Strong AleA dark, strong beer blended with Lindemans Kriek (a cherry lambic); smooth one moment, tart the next; dry, dark fruits, then ripe, red fruits.

OTTER CREEKThe StoryThe Otter Creek brewery was founded by Lawrence Miller in 1991. The Wolaver family bought the business in 2002 to brew its own line of nationally distributed organic beers, which were previously made under contract at several sites. As well as Wolaver beers, the brewery continues to produce the German-style Otter Creek brands. The recent introductions of “World Tour” beers allows the brewery to sell a wider range of styles.

OTTER CREEK COPPER ALE 5.4% ABV - AltbierRich, complex, malty nose and palate, giving way to a well-balanced, smooth finish.

The Beers

WOLAVER’S OATMEAL STOUT 5.9% ABV - Oatmeal StoutCreamy, chocolate nose; roasty and grainy in the mouth; slightly creamy finish.

The Brewery306 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210Tours: Sat: 1130am-5pm; Sun: 12-3pmwww.harpoonbrewery.com, 1-888-HARPOON

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PENN BREWERYThe StoryThe Pennsylvania Brewing Company’s founder, Tom Pastorius, can trace his roots back to Franz Daniel Pastorius, who led the first Ger-man settlers to Amerca. His company has stuck to traditional Ger-man beer since 1986, when it opened in the former Eberhardt and Ober Brewery (cooling caves reamin in the neighboring hillside). Its on-site restaurant has a separate beer hall, beer garden, and raths-keller. The year 2009 saw a stoppage in production at the Vinial Street location, with all brewing being outsourced to Lion Brewery. Penn looked to be on the verge of collapse before Pastorius man-aged to acquire the company with the help of select investors and brewing was resumed in December 2009.

WEIZEN 5.0% ABV - HefeweizenBavarian all the way—bubble-gum, banana, and fruit, enlivened by cloves and almost peppery spices.

The Beers

The Brewery800 Vinial Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212www.pennbrew.com, (412) 237-9400

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SAMUEL ADAMSThe StoryFounded in 1985 by Jim Koch, who comes from a family of brew-ers, the Boston Beer Co. is best known for Samuel Adams Boston Lager, although its brewers manage to explore or invent new styles each year. The company sells more beer than the next three largest American craft breweries put together.

Initially, Koch had his beer made under contract at old-line brew-eries with excess capacity. Today, the company produces much of its own beer at its breweries in Boston and Cincinnati. The Boston operation is housed in the old Haffenreffer brewery building, where beer buffs can take the popular brewery tour or visit the Boston Beer Museum, which gives an insight into the city’s brewing history.

UTOPIAS 25.6% ABV - Strong AleThe world’s strongest beer just keeps getting stronger! A wish-list of warming (alcohol) flavors; well-integrated, although not very beer-like.

The Beers

BLACK LAGER 4.9% ABV - SchwarzbierRoasted but smooth, with a coffee bitterness that lingers.

BOSTON LAGER 4.9% ABV - Vienna LagerComplex nose of pine and flowers; full-bodied; caramel in the middle and a satisfyingly dry finish.

The Brewery30 Germania Street, Boston, MA 02130Tours: M-Th, Sat: 10am-3pm, Fri: 10am-5:30pmwww.samadams.com

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SARANACThe StoryThe producer of Saranac beers, Matt Brewing, began at the West End Brewing Company in 1888. By the early 1990s, it was an old-line brewery in decline. The company decided to put familiar brands such as Utica Club in the background to focus on its Saranac line of craft beers, starting with Traditional Lager. This bold step paid off. With its Saranac beers, contract-brewing, and on-going production of “family beers” such as Utica Club, Matt is now one of the largest craft breweries in the U.S.

SARANAC BLACK AND TAN 5.3% ABV - BlendA blend of Irish stout and German lager. Imagine chocolate and roast beer with a dash of caramel.

The Beers

SARANAC PALE ALE 5.5% ABV - Pale AleFruity yeastiness complemented by crisp, citrussy hops; sneakily bitter.

The Brewery811 Edward Street, Utica, NY 13502Tours: Summer, M-Sat: 1-4pm, Sun 1-3pm; Fri-Sat: 1 & 3pmwww.saranac.com, (315) 732-0022 or (800) 765-6288

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SHIPYARDThe StoryCo-founder and brewer Alan Pugsley set up numerous breweries around the world before he and Fred Forsley became partners at Shipyard Brewing in 1994. The following year, they sold a stake in the business to Miller Brewing, gaining a national presence and re-ceiving a quick lesson in larger-scale production before buying back full control of the operation three years later. Although Shipyard’s beers are widely available throughout the US, it mostly focuses on selling its products in New England and Florida. The Shipyard brand was born in nearby Kennebuck at Federal Jack’s Brew Pub, which still brews on site. Shipyard also owns the Sea Dog brand.

EXPORT ALE 5.1% ABV - Golden AleShipyard’s flagship; sweet honey and fruits at first; light and crisp.

The Beers

OLD THUMPER 5.9% ABV - Extra Special BitterAt its best on cask, Old Thumper is brewed under license from Ringwood in the UK. Fruity, with balanced bitterness.

The Brewery86 Newbury State, Portland, ME 04101Tours: Tues: 5:30-7:00 pm, Book in advancewww.shipyard.com, 1-800-BREW-ALE

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SMUTTYNOSEThe StoryPeter Egelston was already busy with the Portsmouth and Northamp-ton brewpubs when he bought a defunct brewery at auction. Thus Smuttynose Brewing was born in 1994, and it has since grown into a regional brewery with a range of noteworthy ales and lagers. In 1998, Smuttynose launched its Big Beer Series of specialty beers released seasonally in very limited quantities. Smuttynose beers are brewed with a sensibility that has twice earned them the award of “Best American Beer” at the Great British Beer Festival.

SHOAL’S PALE ALE 5.0% ABV - Pale AleFirst produced at the Portsmouth pub. The fruity cookie palate gives way to a crisp American hop finish.

The Beers

ROBUST PORTER 5.7% ABV - PorterRich dark fruits, some chocolate; a roasty, satisfying bitterness through to the finish.

The Brewery225 Heritage Avenue, Portsmouth, NHTours: Fri: 3pm, Sat: 11amwww.smuttynose.com, (603) 436-4026

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SOUTHAMPTONThe StorySouthampton Publick House is first and foremost a brewery-restau-rant, giving brewmaster Phil Markowski the chance to experiment across a wide range of styles. Many of his single-batch beers, some bottled and for sale only at the brewery, have achieved cult sta-tus. Southampton also distributes beer produced under contract at other breweries.

SAISON 6.5% ABV - SaisonFruity, tart, earthy, and refreshing. A ringing endorsement for Markowski’s book Farmhouse Ales.

The Beers

SECRET ALE 5.1% ABV - AltbierSlightly sweet caramel at first; firmly bitter in the middle through to the finish.

The Brewery40 Bowden Square, Southampton, NY 11968www.publick.com, (631) 283-2800

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IMPERIAL PORTER 7.2% ABV - Baltic PorterIntoxicating, rich aromas of dark fruit and chocolate, then coffee; pleasantly bitter finish.

STOUDT’SThe StoryPennsylvania’s first microbrewery, Stoudt’s was founded by Carol and Ed Stoudt in 1987. Although they established one of the first outstanding local beer festivals in the US and have won scores of brewing medals, they are perhaps best known as advocates of the importance of brewing tradition. Carol’s first beers were German-influenced, but she was also one of the first in the country to explore Belgian brewing styles.

PILS 4.8% ABV - PilsnerFlowery up front, spicy in the middle, and long and dry at the finish.

The Beers

FAT DOG STOUT 9.0% ABV - Imperial StoutRich maltiness and assertive hoppiness of an Imperial stout; luscious, with bittersweet coffee notes, hints of smoke, prunes, and molasses at the finish.

The Brewery2800 North Reading Road, Route 272, Adamstown, PA 19501Tours: Sat: 3pm, Sun: 1pmwww.stoudtsbeer.com, (717) 484-4386

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TROEGSThe StoryBrothers John and Chris Trogner founded Tröegs Brewery in 1997, giving it their family nickname. Its esoteric beers, such as Mad Elf (brewed with cherries and a Belgian yeast) and Nugget Nectar, have earned attention from many beer-trading enthusiasts, but it is lo-cal demand for its more conventional brews, such as the flagship Hopback Amber Ale, that has fueled Tröegs’ continuing expansion.

HOPBACK AMBER ALE 5.6% ABV - Amber AleCaramel-sweet fruit character with floral-spicy hops.

The Beers

NUGGET NECTAR 7.5% ABV - India Pale AleEssentially an amped-up version of Hopback Amber Ale; an American hop experience.

The Brewery800 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104Tours: Sat: 1:30, 2, 2:30pm; Reservations recommendedwww.troegs.com, (717) 232-1297

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VICTORYThe StoryVictory Brewing’s restaurant and brewery are located in an old bak-ery-products factory that takes a map to find. After gaining experi-ence at other breweries, childhood friends Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet opened Victory in 1996, leaning on German training and brewing across a wide range of styles. During a recent expansion, Victory installed a modern brewhouse designed to produce almost any style in a traditional manner. Its restaurant-bar remains the best place to sample its beers, many of which are sold only on draft, such as Victory’s varietal pilsners.

GOLDEN MONKEY 9.5% ABV - TripleSpicy, initial hints of banana followed by light pepper. Gently alcoholic, with some sweetness and a dryish finish.

The Beers

PRIMA PILS 5.3% ABV - PilsnerFresh flowery nose; cookielike palate and solidly bitter-rough finish.

The Brewery420 Acorn Lane, Downingtown, PA 19335Tours: Fri: 4pm, Sat: 12pmwww.victorybeer.com, (610) 873-0881

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HOPDEVIL 6.5% ABV - India Pale AleSpicy hops announce this beer’s intentions, with hop flavor and bitterness throughout, with a solid malt backbone.

YEUNGLINGThe StoryThis is the oldest brewery in the US. David G. Yuengling built the Eagle Brewery in 1829, and rebuilt it after a fire in 1831. It survived as a struggling regional brewery into the 1980s, when Yuengling managed to successfully reposition itself outside the mainstream. Growth has been constant since the brewery introduced its Tradi-tional Lager in 1987. Yuengling built a second brewery near the original and also bought a former Stroh brewery in Florida. All three now produce more than half a million barrels annually.

TRADITIONAL LAGER 4.9% ABV - American LagerSlightly sweet and floral, with hints of caramel and a crisp underlying bitterness.

The Beers

The BreweryFifth and Mahantongo Streets, Pottsville, PA 17901Tours: M-F: 10am, 1:30pm, Sat: 11am, 12pm, 1pmwww.yuengling.com, (570) 628-4890

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The classic tome by Michael Jackson, now condensed into a regional A-Z pocket guide.

The perfect companion for discriminating beer drinkers. Easy to carry and spiral bound in order to lay flat during your beer excursions.

Now color-coded according to 10 major beer styles for quick-glance reference.

Includes address, phone number, e-mail and tour schedules for each individual brewery.

Learn about the beer producers, their origins, history and particular brewing processes.

Expert advice and information from a team of specialists, introduced by Michael Jackson.

ISBN 901-2-3456-789

US $13/ CAN $13.39