Allagash White
Allagash Brewing Co.
EST. CALORIES: 150 ABV: 5.1%
Perfection. Forget the set up and prelude: This is what a white ale is supposed to taste like. Go ahead and try to prove me wrong. Go find your old Webster Dictionary. Under the word “beer,” you will find a picture of Allagash White. One of my favorite sports writers, Peter King has listed this as his all-time go-to favorite beer, and that man is rarely wrong. You would think that a self-described beer snob with nearly unlimited resources could find a better brew than something from Maine right? Apparently not.
Right from the pour, this white ale just looks the part. Is has the same light golden coloring that any cheap beer would have, but upon closer inspection, it has this glorious haze to it. There is a certain cloudiness that suggests more ingredients than wheat and water. One sniff and you will immediately notice its Belgian origins—though it really comes together on your tongue. One sip, and you’ll notice the familiar taste of Belgian ale, with the added complexities of floral and citrus. The best part is the fact that the flavor just seems to settle softly in your mouth, which encourages simple sipping. Normally, I am pretty finicky about my beer matching the weather, but this is one brew that pulls it off no mater what the barometer may read. All four seasons, afternoon or evening, give me an Allagash White anytime.
Snobby food pairing: Drink it with anything. Have some mussels, if you’re feeling the Belgian thing.
Unique food pairing: This light brew would pair wonderfully with a plate of sashimi.
Drop some knowledge.