OK, IT’S TRITE TO SAY, BUT ALSIN’S ASTRO ZOMBIE REALLY IS OUT OF THIS WORLD
Astro Zombie, Aslin, Herndon, Virginia, IPA Abv 6.7
We slipped into a scholarly interest in beer by collecting cans starting in 1970. My brother was too young to drink, but wanted to collect cans, so it was my job to find them and empty them for him. He is my brother after all, it was the least I could do. It seemed like a good idea to keep one of each new brand for ourselves, and from there a pretty quick slide into beer obsession. We started attending the Blue and Gray Beer Show decades ago when it was held in possibly the worst chain hotel in the state of Virginia and have been with them as they’ve gone upscale into the Dulles Hilton. In the early days we were just there to trade cans, along the way we’ve been the featured speaker at their banquet and have focused much more on the beers in the hospitality room than on the cans in the rooms.
But this year we stumbled onto a can release from Voodoo Brewing in Pennsylvania and since Voodoo had become something of a Keystone State Alchemist, we thought they’d have some sort of trading value. They did. The Voodoo cans lasted only a few hours and allowed us to trade for local hard to find beers from up and down the east coast. But a few of the treasures were from a small local brewery – one of the way-too-many local breweries that we haven’t been able to find the time to visit.
Aslin, a tiny brewery in Herndon, Virginia, brews cult-status beers that bring lines of people to the brewery to try to obtain limited releases. They don’t have a tap room and when they sell out the day’s allocated beers, they close. One of the can collectors who really wanted our range of Voodoo cans had braved the elements in a lengthy line to acquire his allotment of cans. The four that we were able to obtain from him ranged from quite drinkable to spectacular. The Astro Zombie was the best of the bunch. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to find it on any given day, but from our somewhat limited sample, we’d guess whatever they’re offering will be really good.
If you want to try Aslin beers, check their website or Twitter for hours and availability. The brewery recommends you check social media to get an idea of what to expect when you get there.
Tasting notes: It’s a murky gold that’s no problem if you, like most of us, have been practically bathing in New England style ales lately. It’s fruitier than it is dank. A huge range of fruits fills the palate from the start with soft citrus, lime and even a hint banana before more tropical fruits grow as it warms. The breadth of flavor is simply remarkable.
Food Pairings: You’re going to be taking this home with you – there’s no tap room and they don’t sell to restaurants or bars. Pair it up with what you like to cook – it’s hard to go wrong, actually.
But if you’re there for the late afternoon/early evening hours in the summer consider a growler of one of their hoppy wonders with a picnic. If you take even half-hearted measures to keep it from being obvious you’re pouring beer, any of the parks in the area would be perfect. Hoppy beers seem to taste better outdoors. Beer Review # 0100 20170407
NEXT UP: (Monday April 10) CABOOSE CRAZY TRAIN TRIPEL FROM VIENNA, VIRGINIA
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