Democracy Brewing: Part Deux

Today’s Thirsty Thursday is going to be a case of making lemonade out of lemons. Eh. I don’t like that saying. How about following the Monty Python boys example and looking at the bright side of life? Yeah. Let’s go with that.

The last two weeks have meant traveling into Boston quite a bit to visit Mom at Tufts. She’s doing better now and is home enjoying her creature comforts. A positive outcome for sure, but it was a bumpy ride. One that didn’t really inspire me to pack PB and J’s for Dad and I to munch on for our return ride, so sustenance needed to be procured.

These jaunts into the ghostly city brought me into the orbit of Democracy Brewing. Circumstances are very different than the first time I walked inside of the brewpub. I’d much rather have been looking to saddle up to a bar after viewing the costumes of Downton Abbey. But, alas, 2020 isn’t interested in any of that.

Democracy’s taproom was shuddered for pours, but they transitioned to crowler sales. Just as importantly, their kitchen was still cranking out a paired down menu. Hello, lunch! They put up an online ordering and payment system on their website for both food and bevies. The pickup was contactless and efficient.

Dad and I sat in the car, munching away on delectable Beergers in almost complete silence. Thank you, Democracy, for allowing me to see my Dad eat a “fancy” burger. He didn’t even balk at cheddar cheese. This made Mom chuckle, but don’t tell Dad.

Adam and I took advantage of the online ordering-contactless pick up several times. He ordered some wings while I opted for my go-to comfort food- Mac and cheese. So, so good. I don’t know what it is about Democracy, but I forget to snap a food pick every time. I can’t even blame this on COVID!

But did I forgo grabbing some crowlers on my trips? I wouldn’t be putting this in as a Thirsty Thursday post if I didn’t.

To begin, I have to offer an apology to The Fighting 54th. I went back to my initial review, which included notes on this beer. Maybe my taste buds were on vacation. Perhaps I took craptastic notes. Whichever happened, I am very sorry for the review back in 2019.

The Fighting 54th is an amazeballs saison. Ticks every single style point with flying colors. I’ve got one more crowler in my fridge that I am dying to crack open so I can delight in the Belgian goodness one more time on the deck.

Sticking with the Belgians, I picked up a crowler of their I’m late, I’m late, a Belgian Tripel. Naturally, I couldn’t resist such a release. It does come in at 9.5%, so forget being late, you better be where you’re supposed to be when you snap open this can.

Late’s nose is yeast forward as you’d expect for the style. But, it’s not overly peppery. Banana and raisin are the hardest hitting notes. At the very end, I get a touch of coppery caramel out of the malt. F

Actually taking a sip of the beer brings sweetness right to the forefront. Raisin, current, dates all swirl around on my tongue. I’m late, I’m late had a sticky, medium body to it, which I expected. Hats off to the malts for that. Banana peaks out from sip to sip. Honestly, it feels like I’m drinking a liquid version of a raisin banana bread. I don’t know if that’s a thing, but maybe it should be.

Just from the ABV, you might think this had that boozy tripel taste. You’d be wrong. This is one of those stealth tripels. Dangerous and delicious. Just the way I like it. One last crowler of this also sits in my fridge, waiting to be cracked open. Let’s hope the thunderstorms hold off this weekend. I’ve got a date with my deck, and I don’t want to be late.

Last but not least on this revisit is Democracy’s Kokomo, a double dry-hopped APA. Kokomo was very active when pouring. A bright white head settled on top of the golden beverage. Very, very subtle flavors come up from the glass as you bring it up for a taste. At first, there is a wave of sweet malt that fades down into a hint of coconut.

You put the lime and the coconut, you mix it all up…That’s now in everyone’s head. You’re welcome. The hopping bitterness supports the lime flavor and keeps the coconut from being cloying. This is a light-bodied beer that leaves only the slightest bit of stickiness on your tongue.
Honestly, Kokomo is a perfect summer beer for those hot days like today. When we bought it, I thought it could end up being a bust. I was gladly mistaken here.

I cannot say enough about Democracy Brewing. They have a bomb kitchen pumping out delicious comfort food, and their beer is better. If you’re in the area, check out what they have on. You won’t be disappointed.

Cheers, Nerd Girls!