I popped over the border yesterday with the family for a US shopping spree. Nothing over the top but seeing as we have Watertown NY, a neighbouring a small US City with a college league baseball team, a place with good ribs, a mall with good hoodies for 15 bucks and a 94 cent dollar, why not.
On the way over, we stopped on the way at the Alex Bay Mart, a grocery store in the Thousand Island's resort town of Alexandria Bay, NY. It has the best selection I have found east of C's Farm Market in Oswego, west of Bessettes in Canton and north of the Galeville Grocery. Unfortunately, this is not saying much yet they do have a few beers from Sackets Harbor, Magic Hat, Ithaca, Long Trail and Saranac among other things - but sadly no Middle Ages or Ommegang...which you would think would be sort of obvious selections to carry. But even with only a decent choice, it is worth the visit because one of the best things about the Alex Bay Mart is the price. All the beers but one that I picked up were $5.99 a six pack. Including Saranac Imperial IPA. The brewer says it's made with "brewed with 10 different hops and 10 different malts and is 8.5% alcohol and 85 IBUs" and I say it is one of the smoothest richest double IPAs I have ever had. And at 6 bucks for 72 ounces of double IPA, that is like six bucks for 3.25 bombers or $1.85 a 22 oz bomber - for a really presentable double IPA.
I will pop down some sipping notes later but for now suffice it to say I am feeling both clever and lucky to have a few in the stash.
Comments
Alan - June 23, 2007 10:54 PM
The notes. A rich fine creamy rocky tan head over deep orange a-bit-short-of-chestnut ale. Plenty of orange marmalade with a bit of bitter salad greens on the schnoz. In the mouth, sour orange peel, argula, biscuit, cherry. Very nice.
Travis - June 25, 2007 1:06 PM
In short, yes! I picked up a 6er of this last week and a 22oz of the Great Divide Hercules DIPA to have a head to head with, no question that Saranac is a lot smoother and a much more drinkable DIPA. compared to the GD, which came off as heavy and a real mixed bag of flavors.
I am in the Syracuse area so I like to follow how Saranac, Middle Ages and Ommegang are doing. There is no question that Saranac hit a home run with this one. At my brew club they were saying that it won some Australian Brew competition in the IPA category.
Kira - June 29, 2007 4:30 PM
Wow, $5.99 - lucky you. Here in Rochester the Imperial IPA is $8.99 a six-pack as opposed to the other Saranacs at about $6. Still, cheaper than most beers of the style.
Alan - June 29, 2007 4:54 PM
Yes, it could have been an error in setting the price...but seeing as I benefitted I am in favour of it.