Montauk Brewing Company - Watermelon Session Ale

Montauk produces this quaffable brew as a spring through summer seasonal, as it’s designed to quench one’s thirst under the sun of Long Island’s beaches. Pouring a bright pale golden color and topped by a well-formed head of white foam, it certainly looks refreshing, so let’s dive in. On the nose, we’re greeted by pleasant aromas of mild citrus, melon, light hints of tropical flora, and touches of grassiness and herbal spice, overlaid on a clean bed of pale malts. In the flavor, as in the aroma, the watermelon addition comes through with subtlety – the brewers choosing to add just enough to complement the hop contribution and add an intriguing extra element without bashing us over the head with a gimmicky level of watermelon flavor that would drown out everything else. Look for the malts to come through lightly crackery, while perceived hop bitterness is light to moderate, merging with the bite of some effervescent carbonation to easily keep this brew refreshingly dry. For pairing options, we’re thinking summertime and beach favorites are our best bet. Grilled hot dogs, burgers, and chicken or shrimp skewers are natural choices, along with watermelon salad or a salad of spring greens with a watermelon vinaigrette. Cheers!

Situated at the easternmost point of Long Island is the village of Montauk, where Montauk Brewing Company was founded in 2012 by three friends, Vaughan Cutillo, Joe Sullivan, and Eric Moss. Natives of Montauk, the trio went to high school together and met while working as lifeguards. After graduating college, all three returned to Montauk and began brewing for fun in Vaughan’s basement, with the resulting beers consumed at parties by their friends and themselves. Eventually, they realized the area could use a craft brewery and there was a real opportunity here, so they decided to go pro. It didn’t happen overnight, however, as the team had to find a location, get funds together and, crucially, get the city to change their municipal code to allow for a brewery – a process which took about two years. Their determination paid off, and in the summer of 2012 they pedaled their first keg to a local restaurant towed behind a beach cruiser.

The team at Montauk Brewing has been focused from the start on crafting beers that reflect the local lifestyle by appealing to beer connoisseurs as well as beach goers looking for refreshment. The approach has paid off, with Montauk becoming one of the most popular craft beer brands in the NY metro area. After getting their beer into the Mets’ Citi Field in 2015, they recently expanded by opening two Montauk branded bars at the stadium for the 2023 season. Their beer can also be found at MSG and UBS Arena. In 2022, they personally delivered the first keg to their first account in New Jersey – this time not by bike, but by small boat. If you’re ever visiting the Hamptons, be sure to swing by Montauk’s big red Brew Barn tasting room, just a short walk from the beach, where you can enjoy an array of fresh beers. For more info, visit them at montaukbrewingco.com.