New Brew Thursday: 'Sugar Shack' from Liquid Riot

As I have stated, on our trip to Maine we were able to visit several breweries but unfortunately most of them were only open for curbside can pick-up. One of these breweries was Liquid Riot and I was able to grab two four packs from them, one of which was 'Sugar Shack'. Now in the interest of full disclosure I was not sure I was going to like this beer. While it is described as a '100% Sap Lager' it is also categorized as a 'Maple Helles Bock' and I typically do not like the Bock style as I think it is too malty but I bought it because I was crazy intrigued. A Helles Bock made with 100% pure Maine Maple Syrup? I knew I had to give it a shot, and I am glad it did because this beer is awesome.

'Sugar Shack' pours a cloudy lightish brown with a nice white head with notes of maple and a subtle note of caramel. It has an impossibly light mouthfeel with an equally impossible combination of sweetness and crispness that I have never experienced before. Sometimes beers that feature maple syrup have a problem where the sweetness can be overwhelming, especially as you get towards the end of the glass... not here. With 'Sugar Shack' the sweetness does not build due to its crispness. Moreover, clocking in at 7% ABV it is D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S-L-Y crushable. The only drawbacks to this beer are that I only have three more left and since Liquid Riot opening for pours on July 9th I cannot be there to try more of their offerings.

If you are in the Portland area you have got to try this beer.