Adirondack Brewery - Easy Hike Session IPA

Adirondack's entry into the increasingly popular Session IPA category pours a pretty light copper color with good clarity and a sizable head of foam which retains well before dropping to a persistent ring. On the nose, we picked up a delicious array of bright hop aromas; look for a nice balance between fruity citrus notes, including tangerine and lemon tones, and herbal, piney, and lightly minty aromas. The story continues on the palate, as these citrusy and herbal notes take center stage, augmented by a bit of earthiness and a solid, lightly husky malt backbone delivering hints of caramel. Moderate hop bitterness keeps this brew dry as a bone, especially in the finish which lingers with some grassy hops. Adirondack's use of flaked oats helps add body and smoothness, as well as head retention – which helps amplify the engaging hop aromas. Adirondack recommends pairing this sessionable IPA with poultry dishes and leafy greens (combining the two in a chicken salad sounds great, especially with mandarin slices), as well as burgers. Cheers!

John Carr, a Vermont native, did what many Americans do when young: he went backpacking through Europe. What a fateful trip it ended up being. Along the way, amidst all the great sights there were to see, he picked up a love for European beers – which, we’ll add, is very hard NOT to do. The brewing renaissance hadn’t yet gotten up to full steam yet in the U.S., so upon his return to the States, John experienced quite the let-down at the lack of quality European-style beer available here across the pond. Not to be deterred, he decided that if he couldn’t find much good beer to drink locally, he’d simply make it himself. His love of quality beer soon became a full-blown passion.

Fast forward ten years. John had become quite a skilled and accomplished home brewer whose beers were always popular and in demand with his friends. He decided to go pro, and opened his brewpub in 1999 in Lake George Village, at the southern end of the vast lake of the same name. It turned out to be a very smart move, as the pub soon became a favorite watering hole for locals and vacationing tourists alike. In 2011, additional brewing equipment was brought in, including a bottling line, allowing the Adirondack Pub & Brewery to quadruple their previously miniscule production while making their beers available in retail establishments across upstate New York. They’re eyeing another expansion in the future, to enable them to meet demand across the whole state and beyond.

The brewery is very much dedicated to the Lake George community, purchasing ingredients from local producers whenever possible and donating their spent grain to local farmers every day. To learn more about the brewery, the pub, and brewery tours, contact them at 518-668-0002 or visit them at www.adkbrewery.com.