Beer of the Week

The beer: Vault Diver

The brewery: Nepenthe Brewing Company, Baltimore, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "A not-particularly-traditional take on one of our favorite styles. Maris Otter and Brown Malt contribute a nutty, roasty complexity while Victory and Caramunich sweeten it up a touch. Balanced, with notes of coffee and hazelnut."

Would I buy it again? While this was a perfectly fine beer to drink, it was my least favorite of the three I had at Nepenthe. It is bready and light, which is nice, but the Maibock I had there had that going for it as well, and I'll always prefer the bock. I wouldn't say no to another one, but I probably would not buy it again. There are more interesting beers out there.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Vernal Genesis

The brewery: Nepenthe Brewing Company, Baltimore, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "This love letter to German malt will keep you warm as we make the transition into Spring. Made from Pilsner, Vienna, and Munich. Hopped for balance with just enough Hallertau Mittelfrüh and lovingly lagered for several weeks. A deep burnished gold with a rich, bready, subtly sweet maltiness and a toasty complexity that gives way to a crisp, easy finish. It’s almost time to emerge from our collective hibernation."

Would I buy it again? This is the first of a trilogy of beers that I drank on location at Nepenthe, and it's a good one. I'm a fan of bocks, and Maibocks are no exception to that rule. It's bready and malty, but still quite easy to drink since it's not as thick or alcoholic as a doppelbock. I would buy this again.