Top 10 Beers of the Year
Jack’s Abby Shipping Out of Boston (Framingham, Massachusetts) An exemplary, flavorful amber lager offering comforting malts with the cozy factor of a hand-knit afghan: aromas of pumpernickel toast mingle with earthy hops, foreshadowing the soft, sweet brown-bread flavor to come. I’m not surprised the lager experts at Jack’s Abby knocked this out of the park.
Crux Bubble Wrap IPA (Bend, Oregon) This hazy IPA made me sit up and take notice—no easy feat in 2020. It’s ripe but not sticky, with flavors of kiwi, strawberry, and honeydew. Flaked oats and wheat lend a soft but clean mouthfeel, ending with gentle carbonation that nonetheless wraps everything up. Juice, with none of the pulp.
Piece Swingin’ Single (Chicago) Venerated brewer Jonathan Cutler has left the brewpub since I last enjoyed this beer, so let’s cross our fingers Piece can continue brewing this elegant Belgian singel in his absence—lightly bitter with characterful yeast presence and an easy-drinking ABV, it’s just as much a draw as Piece’s tomato pies.