Maine Lunch

Brewed By: Maine Beer Company in Freeport, Maine

Purchased: 1 pt .9 fl. oz (16.9oz) bottle bought at West Lakeview Liquors in Chicago, IL; 2014 (bottled on 07/29/2014) 

Style/ABV: American India Pale Ale, 7.0%

Reported IBUs: ?

Yo dawg, we heard you like whales, so we brewed a beer named after a whale that is a whale so you can whale whales while whaling whales. About the Maine Beer Company:

The Maine Beer Company is a brewery based out of Freeport, Maine, founded in 2012. The brewery focuses on American-style ales, with an emphasis on fresh beer intended to be consumed fresh. For more info, check out the brewery's website. 

If you haven't heard about Lunch already, well, fuck you. I'm just kidding! Ha. Ha. DAE Maine humor? DAE the East Coast? The bottle says: "Lunch is a special whale that has been spotted off the Maine coast since 1982. She has what looks like a bite taken out of her fin which adds to her unique character. We dedicate this beer to her determination and persistence." This one is brewed with Warrior, Amarillo, Centennial, and Simcoe hops; and uses a malt base of American 2-Row, CaraPils, Caramel 40L, Munich 10L, and Red Wheat. Let's glass and bang.

This epic whale crashes into the sea like my wife jumping into the swimming pool at Orlando Florida. It pours with spray tan orange tones, kicking up three fingers of just off-white head that is foamy and soapy and has mad hop action. This is hazy like kiddie pool water and has carbonation like Captain Nemo's submarine. From here on out the nautical references are gonna be nuts, yarrrr.

Maine Lunch

I've never smelled a whale until today, and I have to say I would happily smell one again. This smells like pirate grundle, oranges, tangerines, resinous peaches and strawberries, zesty citrus and white pepper, and big kisses of tropical fruits (think mango and pineapple). This whale has beached in paradise, or something. The aroma does meet all the desired criteria in a top notch IPA: pungent, juicy, and just resinous enough that you could use this to chase your bong water.

This is fantastic, with a clean and crisp body that just hints at some cracker and biscuit grain. The main note here is an arrow of straight up orange-citrus and tangerine, straight across your tongue. The trailing aftermath includes some white pepper spice, citrus zest, mild resin, and nice growing hop bitterness. This throws shades of white peaches, sweet strawberries, and resinous lemon/pineapple at you as well. I've never seen a whale juggle that many tropical fruits until I played charades mom. #rekt

Whales in space, this be some low-G whale with little in the way of substantial body. This is light, is what I'm saying. Keep in mind that this is an IPA, not a Double IPA, and things make a little more sense. This is still light to medium-light bodied. It reminds me of....Zombie Dust? It also reminds me of Half Acre's Heyoka!, but I think that beer is better (hold your gasps for a moment). This is really, really good. I mean that. This beer works the hops to their fullest, extracting bold citrus fruit notes that are clean and clear. The 7.0% is nonexistent, and this beer is refreshing and drinkable...which is such a tease, because finding this beer is hard! The palate depth is outstanding, but leans towards the lighter sides...this is like a crushable Pale Ale. Again, I'm reminded of Zombie Dust. This also has a fairly straightforward execution (and look at the ingredient list...it's not a straightforward beer at all). Up front: orange fruit, tangerine, white pepper, citrus zest; that cuts into some nice pineapple resin, tropical fruits, strawberry, white peach, more peppery kick, some hints of cracker/biscuit; the back end trails with clean hops, and finishes nice and dry. I see why this beer is so popular....it's like an IPA Lite. The Lite beer of IPAs. It has clean lines, and it offers all the hoppy punch of a West Coast IPA without the raw aggression of an Imperial IPA. Hmm...

Rating: Above-Average (4.5/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Strong Above-Average here. I'm giving this beer the exact same rating I gave Half Acre's Heyoka! Fucking checkmate, all you Midwest haters. That's not a slight against Maine or Lunch...actually I have loved everything I have had from Maine Brewing so far. These guys are legit. I think my favorite so far has been the Another One. That beer is just fantastic...I would honestly maybe take Another One over Lunch. And as an added bonus: you can find Another One. That beer sits on shelves because it isn't an epic whale. Anyway...Lunch. Good stuff. I would pair this beer with a nice sandwich, maybe a club sandwich. You could also pair this beer with a nice leafy burger, lightly spiced foods, potatoes and chicken, a nice fish dish, and perhaps even a pasta dish. The light citrus and peppery spice define this beer, and while it has clear cut citrus lines it isn't overly aggressive or bitter or malty. It's delicate but drinkable...finessed and refined. Good job, Maine Brewing. I'd buy this again.

Random Thought: I actually saw this beer on tap in Chicago this weekend...my only regret was not stopping at the bar to try it.