Sixpoint Resin

 It was February 21, 2012 that I can vividly recall my first sip. I remember saying something to the extent of "Finally! Awesome. Love the sticky, stinky, resinous greatness! Caramel and burnt toasts. Fuckin awesome sauce."

That's the one, the picture below is my very first Sixpoint Resin. Excitedly I held that can. I had been waiting weeks for the release of this Imperial Double India Pale Ale, and I was also anticipating a beer dinner pairing a four course meal designed by my world-class chefs with some of the bad boy brews of Sixpoint. How could I go into this dinner not being educated and tasted on one of the area's (and further for that matter) most anticipated and talked about canned craft beer? Something had to be done...



I remember using my Twitter account to frantically find out where Resin was being served in Boston. It was the assistance of Honest Pint columnist for Dig Boston magazine that advised me to try Atwoods Tavern.

In mere moments following the received advice, my drinking buddy (who also happens to be my girlfriend) and I jumped in the Scion and floored it (as best a 4 cylinder, economy vehicle can floor) up route 6 and wayward into a city that I had not otherwise been within its limits. After finally finding Atwood's, I was ecstatic to find that they did in fact have some Sixpoint Resin.

It has been a dirty, scandalous love affair ever since. Let's take a look at notes from a few of the 30 cans I have had since February 21, 2012:

#3  - February 22

May take a crazy straw and punch it thru an entire case of cans. and then Ill drunken text you how hot you are and how much hotter resin is

Sixpoint Brewery says: wow!

#5 - February 22

Beer and Food Pairing: @sixpoint Resin is bomb with soft cheese. Especially Frigo Cheez Head Mozzarella string cheese sticks

Sixpoint Brewery says: nice work

#6 - February 24th

I'm an addict. I need help. I wont stop until all the resin is gone. Cursed be the day that occurs

Sixpoint Brewery says: you rock !!! just be warned, we have another shipment coming, can you handle it?

#7 - February 24th 

My 7th and final (for now). This is the only one I poured in a glass. Had to know. Its equally condensed. Equally amazing. Equally sticky.

 

#11 - March 12

I am #RESIN!

#12 - March 14

Hmmmmmm. I think I might like this beer

 

#21 -  April 5

the can says #Resin, I assume that's a descriptor because I know it as #NewFaithful

#24 - April 7

When the goin gets tough, I laugh at them and chug a #Resin

#30 - TODAY!

 Adam Greiner is drinking a Resin by Sixpoint Brewery

Lucky #30! Just got great news! Bye, bye to all my Cape and MA friends. I'm headed to PA to do my own thing! Lucky #30!

 Sixpoint Brewery has toasted this!

In addition to my addiction to Resin, we did have a pretty incredible and successful beer dinner. The menu was great and Sara Sorola, an ambassador with the brewery was incredibly wonderful.

Ultimately, I never gave it a review. I gave it 5 Caps on Untappd every time, but did I ever actually share with the beer drinking world my detailed and concise opinions? I guess I'll have to drink one more sometime soon so that I can provide you all with my real-time #CraftBeer review, of my favorite canned Imperial Double IPA, #Resin!

The 5 S's of Beer Tasting

WE LOVE BEER!!

But how well do we know it? Have you taken the time to appreciate the offerings and complexities of a fellow beer lover's craftsmanship? There is an easy to use analyzing process that supercedes chugging down a pint via Das Boot!

Use the 5 S's and watch your "Love of the Chug" turn into your "Savoring of the Sip" (that's 2 more S's I didn't even anticipate)

See, Swirl, Sniff, Swig, Savor
SEE - Grab the pint proudly and bask in the beauty! Hold it out just below eye level and ideally in front of a white surface. A tablecloth usually is a helpful tool, or in front of the refrigerator. What do you see? Tell your friend your opinion on the color, the clarity, the richness of the head and its viscosity. When he/she turns and says just chug it and shut up, quickly remind that person that you are dating someone and they are not.

SWIRL - Slow down killer....don't jump right into the swig phase. There are certain intricacies and complexities hidden beneath the bubbles. Swirling your beer gently in the glass will add oxygen, of which will release aromas and flavor characteristics. This will also charge up the CO2 in the beer, which again helps bring little nuances to the surface. This is a good time to assess the head retention,

SNIFF - We are getting to the swig, I promise. But you are going to get more out of this brew via your sniffer than on your palate. Put that schnoz as close to the beer as you can without dipping it in the beer head. Take several short sniffs. Relate the bouquet to items you can recall from the grocery store. This will assist in the swig portion so you will have certain flavors to seek that you recall from the sniff.

P.S. - Your accessory olfactory system is the one used mainly in the detection of pheromones, which will surely be released by the opposite sex when they catch you taking the time to nurture your brew.
SWIG - YES! Its time. Do me a favor though....take a nice swig and gently agitate the beer around the entire inside of your mouth. Do not yet pass judgement or make assessment. This process shocks your palate and eliminates lingering elements of any other consumption made prior to that swig. Take a second swig and perform the same gentle swishing and swooshing about the mouth. How does it feel in there? Whats the viscosity? What parts of your tongue are most impacted?

P.S. - Time to perform the "Beer Breathe". A lot like whistling, but without the obnoxious whistle. Breathe out gently and across the beer in your mouth. This is a similar act to the SWIRL but now it releases those hidden complexities on your tongue (retro-olfaction) so you can taste what you recently smelled.
SAVOR - Now take the time to think back on it all. What does the beer tell you? How long does the flavor linger? Repeat all steps until completion of bottle or glass.

CHEERS!