Railroad PA - The Beer Thrillers

AleCraft Brewery in Bel Air to Close

B. Kline — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 20:15:30 +0000

AleCraft Brewery in Bel Air to Close.

AleCraft Brewery in Bel Air to Close

On Thursday, February 29th, it will be the AleCraft Brewery’s last day in their Bel Air, MD location. They made their announcement just a bit ago that they will be closing their Bel Air location. Their new location in Railroad, Pennsylvania will continue to be open however.

No word yet on what the plans hold for anything with regards to movement, product, etc.

The Announcement

We are sad to announce our closing, scheduled for Thursday February 29. We’ve had a great 6 years meeting new friends, hosting home brew lessons and fundraisers, sampling beers from local brewers, getting and giving beer advice, partnering with local businesses like Birds Nest BBQ for great food and Oodles Cheesecakes for beer pairings, teaching brew lessons on hops, water and off flavors with the local homebrew club and a million other memories. But our time here in Harford County is at an end. We hope you don’t become strangers and come to visit us in Railroad PA. Please stop in to say goodbye (for now) over the next 10 days. Mug Clubbers can pick up their mugs anytime before we close. Thanks again.

AleCraft Brewery – Bel Air – Facebook Post

AleCraft Brewery

We got to visit them a while back and absolutely loved the cozy Bel Air spot. They also performed very well in the 2023 Battle of the Breweries, making it to the Final Four match-up and losing to Allusion Brewing Company. They won the Saaz Conference.

We haven’t gotten to the Railroad, PA location yet (on the docket for 2024), but we know they will certainly be missed in Bel Air. Its a shame to be seeing these wonderful breweries and locations closing. Hopefully 2024 turns around for most breweries, but the year is looking rough already.

Past Articles on AleCraft Brewery

AleCraft Brewing Company Expanding into Pennsylvania
Beer Review: Ned Flanders Red (AleCraft Brewery)
Visiting Bel Air Maryland – AleCraft Brewing Company and Independent Brewing

More Information on AleCraft Brewery

The following is from Untappd: AleCraft Brewing Company is a micro brewery from Bel Air, Maryland. They have 262 unique beers with over 22,000 ratings. With a global average rating of 3.73 (as of 2.18.24).

Their Untappd description reads: July 2019 UPDATE: Alecraft was voted Best Maryland Brewery by Zymurgy Magazine! Thank you to all of our homebrewers! In the fall of 2017 we made the leap to add a brewery and taproom to our homebrew supply shop. Our small system and fully stocked home brew shop give us an enormous library of ingredients at our fingertips. Our beer is crafted to be exactly what we intended: no compromises on ingredients. The access to the shop ensures we have the full creative expression we dreamed of as home brewers. In our taproom we prioritize customer service second only to the quality of beer we produce. Our staff is engaging, approachable and trained on the various styles of beer we produce. AleCraft is what happens when the right people with complementary skills come together to strive towards their dream. Our story is the ideal fusion of passion, experience, fate and hard work while searching for beer perfection across all styles.

For more information on AleCraft Brewing Company, check out their social media pages:

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

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Unveiling the Spectrum: Amber Ale vs. Red Ale – Exploring the Fine Line of Craft Beer

B. Kline — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 18:52:33 +0000

Nugget Nectar by Troegs Independent Brewing is an Imperial Amber Ale

Unveiling the Spectrum: Amber Ale vs. Red Ale – Exploring the Fine Line of Craft Beer

Craft beer aficionados often find themselves enchanted by the diverse palette of flavors and aromas offered by different beer styles. Among these, Amber Ale and Red Ale stand out as two closely related yet distinct brews, each with its own unique characteristics. In this exploration, we embark on a journey to unravel the nuances that differentiate these beloved styles, delving into their histories, brewing techniques, flavor profiles, and more.

In the vibrant world of craft beer, the quest for the perfect pint can lead down many a hop-lined path. Among the myriad of styles that populate this effervescent landscape, Amber and Red Ales stand out for their rich colors, complex flavors, and the sometimes blurry line that divides them. This article will delve into the depths of these beloved brews, exploring their histories, characteristics, and what sets them apart in the eyes of brewers and beer aficionados alike.

A Colorful Beginning: The Origins of Amber and Red Ales

Amber and Red Ales share a common ancestry, rooted in the British brewing tradition. These beers originally evolved from the pale ales of England, gaining their distinctive colors and flavors from the use of caramel and roasted malts. As these styles crossed the Atlantic, American craft brewers embraced and adapted them, incorporating local ingredients and brewing techniques. This transatlantic journey gave rise to the distinct versions of Amber and Red Ales enjoyed today.

Both Amber Ale and Red Ale trace their origins back to the rich tapestry of brewing traditions, with roots entrenched in European heritage. Amber Ale finds its inspiration from English Bitter Ales, with a nod to American innovation in craft brewing. Red Ale, on the other hand, draws influence from Irish and Scottish brewing traditions, renowned for their malt-forward styles.

Amber Ales: A Study in Balance

Nugget Nectar by Troegs Independent Brewing is an Imperial Amber Ale

Amber Ales are celebrated for their equilibrium. Straddling the line between malt sweetness and hop bitterness, these ales showcase a medium body with a color that can range from light copper to a rich amber hue. The malt profile tends to offer flavors of biscuit, caramel, and toasty notes, balanced by a subtle hop presence that can range from earthy and floral to citrusy, depending on the hop varieties used.

American Amber Ales, in particular, are known for a more pronounced hop character, reflecting the American craft brewers’ penchant for hops. This style remains approachable, however, making it a favorite among craft beer newbies and connoisseurs alike.

On the East Coast, Nugget Nectar (and also Double Nugget Nectar) by Troegs Independent Brewing are possibly the best known examples of the Amber Ale style. The Untappd description for Nugget Nectar reads: “Squeeze those hops for all they’re worth and prepare to pucker up: Nugget Nectar Ale, will take hopheads to nirvana with a heady collection of Nugget, Warrior and Tomahawk hops. Starting with the same base ingredients of our flagship HopBack Amber Ale, Nugget Nectar intensifies the malt and hop flavors to create an explosive hop experience.”

And the Double Nugget Nectar Untappd description reads: “Let’s take Nugget and double it. Well, it wasn’t quite that easy, but it sure was a fun balancing act. To start, we boosted the Simcoe, and this complex hop’s notes of apricot, peach rings and bright citrus are the star of the show. Azacca enters the picture to add hints of juicy orchard fruit, and Munich malt brings a bready sweetness. To strike a balancing note, Columbus joins Nugget hops, grounding this limited release with a layer of dank pine.”

You can find our beer review of the Double Nugget Nectar here: Beer Review – Double Nugget Nectar (by Troegs Independent Brewing).

Red Ales: The Bold and the Beautiful

A homebrewed Irish Red Ale.

Red Ales, particularly the American versions, dial up the intensity with a bolder hop profile and a deeper red hue. The color of a Red Ale can vary from a deep amber to a rich ruby, a characteristic achieved through the use of specialty malts that also impart a more pronounced caramel sweetness and, sometimes, hints of dark fruits.

American Red Ales often feature a significant hop bitterness, with aromatic notes that can include pine, grapefruit, and tropical fruits. This style tends to be more robust and assertive than its Amber counterpart, offering a hearty malt foundation laced with a potent hop punch.

AleCraft Brewing out of Bel Air Maryland (and Railroad Pennsylvania) have a wonderful Red Ale, called: Ned Flanders Red Ale. “Red Diddly-Ho” Ale. You can read our beer review on it here: Beer Review – Ned Flanders Red Ale (AleCraft Brewing Company).

The Untappd description for the beer reads: “A tart and malty Flanders Red Ale brewed with Roeselare bacteria and Hallertau hops.”

The Fine Line: Differentiating Amber from Red

While Amber and Red Ales share a common lineage and overlapping flavor profiles, the distinction often boils down to intensity. Red Ales generally present a more vigorous hop bitterness and a deeper malt complexity than Amber Ales. Additionally, the visual difference is notable, with Red Ales displaying a more pronounced red or ruby color compared to the lighter, coppery tones of Amber Ales.

The boundary between these styles can be fluid, with some beers blurring the lines and sparking debate among enthusiasts. Ultimately, the distinction may hinge on the brewer’s intention and the sensory experience they aim to evoke.

The key differentiator between these two styles lies in their malt and grain bill. Amber Ale typically features a balanced blend of malt varieties, including pale, caramel, and sometimes a touch of roasted malt. This combination contributes to its amber hue and provides a nuanced sweetness with hints of biscuit and caramel.

Conversely, Red Ale places a greater emphasis on roasted malts, often incorporating specialty grains such as crystal or roasted barley. These malts impart a deeper reddish hue to the beer and lend it a richer, more pronounced caramel and toffee sweetness, with subtle notes of nuttiness or toastiness.

Hops and Bitterness

While both styles showcase malt-forward profiles, they diverge in their approach to hops and bitterness. Amber Ales typically exhibit a moderate hop presence, contributing to a well-balanced profile where malt sweetness is complemented by floral or earthy hop notes. This balance allows the malt character to shine while providing a refreshing bitterness to the finish.

In contrast, Red Ales tend to showcase a restrained hop profile, with bitterness taking a back seat to the malt complexity. The focus here is on highlighting the interplay between the rich malt sweetness and the subtle hop character, resulting in a smooth, approachable brew with a gentle bitterness that enhances rather than dominates the flavor experience.

Flavor Profile and Aromatics

When it comes to flavor and aroma, both styles offer a delightful array of sensory experiences. Amber Ales boast a malt-forward profile with caramel, toffee, and biscuit notes dominating the palate. Aromas of bread crust and toasted grains often accompany the sip, evoking images of freshly baked bread and cozy fireside evenings.

Red Ales, on the other hand, present a deeper, more intense flavor profile, with pronounced caramel and toffee sweetness intermingling with hints of dark fruit, roasted nuts, or chocolate. Aromatics may include notes of dried fruit, such as raisins or plums, along with a subtle earthiness or nuttiness that adds layers of complexity to the brew.

Food Pairings

Both Amber Ale and Red Ale lend themselves well to a wide range of culinary pairings, thanks to their versatile flavor profiles. Amber Ales are well-suited to classic pub fare such as burgers, BBQ ribs, or hearty stews, where their malt sweetness can complement the savory flavors of grilled meats or slow-cooked dishes.

Red Ales, with their richer malt profile and subtle complexities, pair beautifully with roasted meats, caramelized vegetables, or aged cheeses. The sweetness of the malt can offset the saltiness of cured meats or cheeses, while the nutty or toasty notes can enhance the flavors of roasted vegetables or hearty soups.

Tasting the Spectrum: A Craft Beer Adventure

Exploring the range between Amber and Red Ales offers a delicious journey through the craft beer spectrum. From the balanced, easy-drinking nature of Amber Ales to the bold, hop-forward character of Red Ales, there is a world of flavor to discover. Beer lovers are encouraged to taste these styles side by side, appreciating the subtle nuances and celebrating the diversity that makes the craft beer scene so exhilarating.

In the end, whether you find yourself leaning towards the harmonious blend of malt and hops in an Amber Ale or the robust intensity of a Red Ale, the adventure lies in the exploration. So, raise a glass to the craft of brewing and the endless pursuit of the perfect pint.

In the world of craft beer, Amber Ale and Red Ale stand as testament to the artistry and creativity of brewers, each offering a unique expression of flavor, aroma, and character. While they share commonalities in their malt-forward profiles, the subtle nuances that distinguish these styles make them a delight to explore and savor. Whether you find yourself drawn to the caramel sweetness of an Amber Ale or the rich complexity of a Red Ale, one thing is certain – both brews offer a journey of discovery for the discerning palate. Cheers to the brewers who continue to push the boundaries of flavor, and to the beer enthusiasts who revel in the diverse tapestry of craft beer!

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MAPS OF BREWERIES

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AleCraft Brewing Company Expanding into Pennsylvania

B. Kline — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 15:55:00 +0000

A brewery rendering by the architecture group designing AleCraft Brewing Company’s Railroad, Pennsylvania brewery.

AleCraft Brewing Company Expanding into Pennsylvania

AleCraft Brewing Company from Bel Air, Maryland – is expanding into Pennsylvania, entering York’s County. They are going to be adding a new brewery location to Railroad, Pennsylvania.

You’ll be able to find them here: 15 S Main St, Railroad, PA 17349.

It seems like it’s going to be a trend of breweries from out of state entering Pennsylvania. Other Half Brewing Company Moving into Philadellphia, Aslin Brewing Company Moving into Pittsburgh, as well as others.

AleCraft Bel Air

Brad Streett and his wife Eryn started AleCraft back in 2017

The brewery in Bel Air Maryland is a 2 barrel operation and produces a wide variety of beer that ranges from IPA’s, Stouts, Fruited Sours, Seasonals, and more. Along with their beer offerings, they also partner with Bird’s Nest BBQ to offer guests a robust food menu that features over 60 items on the menu!

They are known for some pop culture references, as well as wonderful beer can labels.

We got to visit the AleCraft Bel Air location in July, and can’t wait to get a chance to visit their Railroad location.

You can read our beer review of Ned Flanders Red Ale here: Beer Review: Ned Flanders Red (AleCraft Brewing Company).

Expansion

The expansion marks their first time opening a second location. Currently they have the Bel Air location, which also houses their homebrewing shop, this will be a secondary, and much different location for them.

They settled on York County due to its near proximity but also far enough away to not cannibalize their own customer base, as well as getting to move into a new state. Brad is also an avid bike rider and has spent years riding the Northern Central & York County Heritage Trails and had fallen in love with the area.

The location in Railroad will be a 7 BBL system (the Bel Air location is a 2 BBL system). The Railroad location will also house a canning line, and have a much different feel for their brewhouse. The location in Bel Air is a bit more ‘urban’ and ‘tap room’ style, where the location in Railroad will be more akin to a ‘farm brewery’ setup and appeal.

They are looking forward to growing their own hops on site at the Railroad location. Planning on making single – hop beers in the near future at the new brewery.

The Railroad location will be 8,000 square feet which will include the brewery, taproom, and café which will focus on gastropub fare. The café will be a joint venture with a local restaurant and AleCraft and located inside the new brewery. In addition, they plan to offer an espresso and coffee bar for early morning guests.

The outdoor area will be ‘farm brewery’ styled and set – up, will include picnic tables, patio areas, and plenty of seating and drinking areas outside for the family friendly brewery.

More Information on AleCraft Brewing Company

For more information on AleCraft Brewing Company, check out their social media pages:

The following is from Untappd: AleCraft Brewing Company is a micro brewery from Bel Air, Maryland. They have 216 unique beers with 18,500~ ratings. With a global average rating of 3.71 (as of 9.9.22). Their Untappd description reads: July 2019 UPDATE: Alecraft was voted Best Maryland Brewery by Zymurgy Magazine! Thank you to all of our homebrewers! In the fall of 2017 we made the leap to add a brewery and taproom to our homebrew supply shop. Our small system and fully stocked home brew shop give us an enormous library of ingredients at our fingertips. Our beer is crafted to be exactly what we intended: no compromises on ingredients. The access to the shop ensures we have the full creative expression we dreamed of as home brewers. In our taproom we prioritize customer service second only to the quality of beer we produce. Our staff is engaging, approachable and trained on the various styles of beer we produce. AleCraft is what happens when the right people with complementary skills come together to strive towards their dream. Our story is the ideal fusion of passion, experience, fate and hard work while searching for beer perfection across all styles.

For More of Our Articles on AleCraft Brewing Company

Visiting Bel Air Maryland – AleCraft Brewing Company and Independent Brewing
Beer Review: Ned Flanders Red (AleCraft Brewing Company)

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

Thank You For Reading

I can’t wait to make it out to the new location. Its about a forty five minute to an hour drive away (the Bel Air location is about an hour and twenty minutes), so it’ll be a bit closer. The rendering photo looks beautiful.

Hope you all enjoyed the article. Thanks for visiting the blog!

Thank you everyone for reading and please like, share, follow, subscribe, all that good stuff you see at the end of every YouTube video.

Cheers All!

-B. Kline

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