BEER REVIEW: Thousand Dollar Dinners from BIG ALICE BREWING COMPANY

My search for the best beer in New York continues….

I saved this beer for Oscar night. I always like to follow a theme and since I didn’t make any ram-don in honor of Parasite, I thought a Golden ale was appropriate for an awards show that gives out a golden trophy.

While Brad Pitt and Laura Dern were probably having a thousand dollar dinner that night, I was humbly drinking this special beer made by Big Alice in collaboration with singer-songwriter Matt Sucich whose new album is called Thousand Dollar Dinners.

The golden ale is aged in oak barrels and uses white wine grapes (although not sure where in the brewing process.)

I was surprised that it was only at 6.5% because it tasted big, bold, sweet, and much higher in alcohol. It smelled and tasted like wet grains with big malt flavors and just a hint of bitterness. Yeasty sweetness was a major supporting player here as well.

I have to admit it wasn’t my favorite output by Big Alice, but it was ok. I found it a little too sweet and strong (tasting) for this kind of style. Probably like a few of the movies nominated for Best Picture over the years.

Is Big Alice Breing Company’s Thousand Dollar Dinners the best beer in NY? I give it a 6 out of 10 for having some strong grain and yeast notes but not much smoothness from the age in the barrel.