Beer of the Week

The beer: Coal Miner Scottish Ale

Brewed by: Jug Bridge Brewery, Frederick, Maryland

No description this week. Jug Bridge only opened this past summer and they don't even have a website.

Would I buy it again?: It's a beer from the field this week. Blame the Frederick library for being mostly closed because the interior is getting painted. I'd walked all the way from my apartment to the center of town, I wanted to do something with myself. And I'd never been to Jug Bridge, so I stopped in for a drink. Anyway, the beer. It's a Scottish ale, and a good one at that. Nice taste, decently but not overly hoppy, I'm a fan. If I ever walk across the entirety of Frederick again, I'll definitely get it again.

Twilight Of The Amber Ale

I won't say I'm a huge fan of amber ales, but they're a classic drinkable beer. The sort of beer you don't lead off with, but something when you're a few in and just looking to enjoy the buzz while you're out with friends. And they're perfect for times when you're sitting at home on a summer day after a long day and you just want something cold and refreshing.

But while I highly doubt any beer style will completely disappear, amber ales have certainly seen more popular days. Their height was a bit before my time (15 year old me wasn't drinking too much), but still, I like seeing amber ales on menus, and the Hopback by Troegs is something I get every time I go there. Now it seems like most breweries deal heavily in IPAs, which I can tolerate, and sours, which I really can't. Drinkability does seem like a lowered priority, which is a shame. Wacky, off-the-wall beers are nice on occasion, but most of the beer I drink is simpler. Don't get me wrong, I love Yuengling, but more choices would be nice.