Number 1 with A Bullet

Brewer-Brooklyn Brewery

Beer- Brooklyn Local #1

Style- Belgian Strong Golden Ale

ABV- 9.00%

Description- Local #1 pours a beautiful golden straw color with huge frothy white head that sticks around for a while and leaves a lovely lacing on the glass as it dissipates.  The aroma is that of a classic Belgian ale with the Belgian yeast aroma on display with notes of bready malts, apple, pear, clove, and subtle hints of banana and grassy hops all present as well.  The taste is absolutely wonderful.  At first the crispness from the malts hits the palate followed by some notes of fruit and backed by very subtle spicing before a very refreshing and dry finish kicks in to finish it out.  The body is in the medium to full range with very effervescent carbonation that creates the perfect balance and gives the beer it’s crisp and dry mouth feel.  The 9% ABV is extremely well hidden with no alcohol heat present even as the beer warms up.  Local #1 is an absolutely out of this world example of the style.

Food Pairing – Local #1 is a beer that belongs on the menu of any high end restaurant to pair with the finest of foods, but it also somehow manages to make itself at home with basic American cuisine.  Try pairing this beer with a lovely chicken or shrimp pasta alfredo dish, this is a pairing that really allows the bright carbonation to shine.  Another masterful pairing is with ginger glazed salmon, the combination between the bite in the sauce, the oil in the fish, and the spicing and carbonation of the beer create manifestations on the taste buds that you never knew possible.  If you are looking for something with a bit more spiciness, but not too much, try pairing Local #1 with a creamy Chicken Tikka Masala dish, you can have it mild or spicy; this beer can hold its own.

The Final Word – Local #1 proves yet again that Brooklyn Brewery, despite being one of the pioneers in the craft beer industry, has certainly not settled and is still producing absolute world class beers.  Local #1 has such depths that one can get lost in all the complexities, yet at the same time it is very drinkable and a fantastic beer for those new to the craft beer world.  The beer itself has fabulous presentation and the ability to fit on to the table of the finest dinner or at home with a pizza while sitting on the couch.  If you have not yet had Local #1 it is an absolute must have beer for any fan of craft beer.

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Where can I get it? -  Brooklyn Local #1 is available year-round in 750mL cork- caged bottles.  Currently available at: Wegman’s- Dickson City, PA & Wilkes Barre, PA; Krugel’s Georgetown Deli- Wilkes Barre, PA; call around for this one, if it is not currently in stock it is fairly easy for anyone to order for the store.