Beer of the Week

The beer: Monkey's Uncle

The brewery: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "Think of this as liquid banana bread. Monkey’s Uncle pours a hazy mahogany with a fluffy head, balancing classic notes of ripe banana and clove with the rich depth of toasted bread crust and caramel. It offers all the comfort of a dark beer with the crisp, refreshing finish of a wheat ale. No monkey business, just great flavor."

Would I buy it again? I admit, for the last beer I'd ever buy from Idiom, I played it safe with a beer I was almost positive I'd like. I don't think this particular dunkelweizen was extraordinary (I'm not sure how much banana taste I actually got), but it was perfectly good. Malty and bready, just like a beer of this style should be. It did what I wanted it to, and I'm glad. I went to Idiom many times while I lived in Frederick, and it would have been a shame for the last drink to be a sour one.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Stings Like A Bee

The brewery: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "'Sting Like a Bee' is a bold reimagining of malt liquor crafted with a smooth body, layered malt richness, and just a whisper of honey for natural balance. The sweetness is subtle, the flavor full, and the finish disarmingly mellow. Strong enough to make an impact, yet polished enough to keep you coming back for another round."

Would I buy it again? Imperial lagers are pretty rare, so I knew I had to try this particular beer out. And just as I hoped, it was very good. Mellow, but also deep. Pleasantly malty as well. And at 6% ABV, it was much easier to drink than most other imperial beer varieties. This would be the point where I'd say I'd gladly buy this beer again, and I would ... but there's a problem. Idiom Brewing, staple of Frederick's downtown beer scene, is closing on February 15th. Now, there are good reasons for that closure — the owner tried to do too much at once, attempting to expand production and add in-house food at the moment the beer business began to drop off — but it still sucks. Idiom has such a nice spot on Carroll Creek, with a ton of outdoor seating. It was the obvious choice when you wanted a beer downtown in warmer weather. And while their beer could be hit or miss, they had a large menu so there was always something for everyone. It's a shame to see them go.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Strike a Chord

The brewery: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "This Dunkel Bock boasts a robust malt character, caramel and toasted notes with a touch of dark fruits. A smooth, medium-body makes this complex brew approachable for all."

Would I buy it again? Not quite a dobbelbock, but close enough. It's got 90% of the flavor and feel of one, which pretty much automatically puts it into "I'll buy it again" territory. Just, not outside on a hot afternoon. Then this becomes a little tough to drink. 

Beer of the Week

The beer: Phrased #22

The brewery: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland 

Description (from Untappd): "A juicy and hazy Double New England IPA loaded with tropical intensity. Brewed with Citra, Meridian and Lotus hops, this 7.6% ABV brew delivers vibrant notes of mango, orange creamsicle, and fresh berries, all wrapped in a pillowy-soft mouthfeel and smooth finish."

Would I buy it again? It isn't very often at all that I get in the mood for an IPA. I haven't reviewed one in 8 months, if my reckoning is correct. Considering how many IPAs there are, going that long takes work. But I was out, it was a nice day, and it felt right. Luckily, my decision to purchase a hazy double NEIPA worked just as I hoped, and I got something nice, juicy, and refreshing rather than a over-hopped monstrosity. I'm never going to rush to buy an IPA again, but I'll give this as much of an endorsement as I can. It has its place.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Against the Grain

The brewery: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "Discover the bold flavors of Against the Grain, a distinct and refreshing American Wheat beer crafted to captivate your senses. This vibrant brew is a harmonious blend of traditional wheat beer smoothness and the exhilarating zest of hops. A blend of Comet, Amarillo, Citra and Sabro create a melange of bright citrus zest coupled with hints of wild forest berries, mango and nuanced notes of lime and a touch of coconut. Each sip of Against the Grain delivers a balanced and invigorating taste journey, perfect for hop enthusiasts and wheat beer lovers alike."

Would I buy it again? This is one of those beers where I'm of two minds on how I feel about it. On the one hand, it does what it sets out to do very well. It feels like a light, pleasant wheat beer, but it's also got the hoppy juiciness of an IPA. There's none of the usual IPA bitterness. But on the other hand, I'm just not that big into really hoppy beers. They're fine, on occasion, just to mix things up, but they're not a go-to for me. I guess that's where I'd classify this; I would buy it again, but only on occasion. 

Beer of the Week

The beer: I'll Be Your Huckleberry

Brewed by: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "We got together with our friends at World of Beer to bring you the perfect seasonal crusher! At 5% ABV, this light, crisp Kölsch received a healthy addition of huckleberries to add a slightly sweet and refreshing finish. Sit back and relax, this brew is the right one for the job!"

Would I buy it again? I've never had huckleberries before, so I can't comment on the taste comparison, but in general the fruitiness and the light maltiness of the beer work extremely well together, without one overpowering the other. Far from tasting like a dense literary journey up the Mississippi River, I would definitely classify this as a pleasant, easy beer to drink on a hot summer day; as such, I'd definitely buy this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: How 'Bout Them Apples

Brewed by: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "The ladies at Idiom got together to craft another female brewed beer! Loaded with Apple, vanilla, and cinnamon this Apple Cider Donut brew is the perfect way to bring in the fall season."

Would I buy it again? Even if this beer wasn't very good, it's just nice to see a fall-themed beer that isn't an Oktoberfest or pumpkin beer. Happily, this beer was very good. It's got apple, it's got cinnamon, and it's even got a bit of breadiness to evoke the donut part of the apple cider donut. It's definitely better and more interesting than the apple cider donut cider from a couple weeks ago, mostly because of the beer part of the beer. It provides contrast for the apple taste. I hope Idiom brings this back in the future, because I'd absolutely buy this again.