Lunch - Maine Beer Company

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #55 (August 2011):

Slow pour still produces a sizable head; dull amber glow sans sediment. Fresh clementines, nectarines, strawberry taffy, toasted bread, nutty yeast and fresh-cut grass in the nose. Rustic, smooth yet bitty mouthfeel—a beer of sub- stance. Tame bitterness, though the flavor flogs the taste buds for a while. Nice hop bite with citric and herbal flavors, and some spice in the middle as the dry maltiness tries to rise above. Apple and pear fruitiness, warming alcohol and graininess try to stave off the hop flavor, but it just keeps pushing along. Pretty amazing brew, bringing back some clout for the true East Coast IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 13:26:03 | More by BeerAdvocate

bahnfire

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-21-2013 13:51:59 | More by bahnfire

Hendry

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I'm always perusing the Maine Beer Co section in my local shops in search of the legendary LUNCH, and a stop in to get some jumbo shrimp for the grill was my lucky day. Bottled 5/7/13, this batch is nice and fresh and doesn't have time to age on the shelf as they disappear quickly in multiples.

Pours a cloudy off orange with an enormous cloudy white 4 finger head on a pour straight down the middle of the glass. Lively carbonation.

Aromas are hop forward and become prominent with a bit of warming: subtle nose of orange blossoms, tangerine, ruby red grapefruit: this has a juicy vibe to it with some noted pine needles.

Taste is more bold than the nose, and plays out as either a huge IPA or an 1.5IPA with regard to strength and bitterness of the hops. Tropical orange flavors along with grapefruit and piney resins end up as almost sticky, yet the finish is dry, zesty hops resting at the back of the palate for a long bitter finish that is a requisite quality for a great IPA

Mouthfeel is medium to full, enormous for what is supposed to be an IPA. Drying grapefruit rind aftertaste builds as you make your way through the 16.9 oz bottle.

Overall, I'm very glad I bought 4 of these. LUNCH is a top notch IPA with a thoughtfully balanced hop wallop tempered with careful malt selection. There is a noted increase in enjoyment as it warms and works its charms on you.

Those that complain that LUNCH isn't available in 6 packs, or that is overpriced expect too much from small batch hand crafted Northern New England brewers. I've spent the same or more on bombers that were mediocre at best, so you have to pay up if you want the quality.
Highly recommended and worthy of the legendary reputation.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 04:48:58 | More by Hendry

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

54 day old bottle, poured into my Founders snifter.

Bright/hazy light peach/orange color. Poured lightly so not much of a head, but initially there is a about finger of crispy white fluff. Not much lacing at all. Color is just awesome though, and I don't necessarily believe it's a letdown without a huge head.

Hop citrus aromas seem a bit subdued. Nonetheless, there's grapefruit/orange and light lemon zest, with a bit of pine in there as well. As the beers warms up a bit, a slight floral situation reveals itself.

Citrus zest is most noticeable in the flavor. Less malty than other IPAs I am used to. But really this beer is all about the hop-forward citrus -- grapfruit, orange, some lemon, and maybe a bit of pine in there as well. Flowery session character to it as well.

Feels smooth up front, and crisp on the end. Dry but refreshing overall. But probably a bit too carbonated for me to session.

This is a solid IPA. Not my favorite, but very nice. Flavors and aromas open up as it warms. The one thing it lacks that I think is present in most IPAs and APAs I enjoy is sweetness. Would love to grab this fresher. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 22:48:18 | More by rodlavers

mahak213

New York

4.26/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

13 day old bottle into a FFF Teku-

Appearance- Really pretty, hazy, golden orange with a big, fluffy white head that leaves nice lacing around the glass.

Smell- Huge grapefruit, pine, and orange zest. Totally hop forward, with no real detectable malt presence.

Taste- Similar to the nose, tons of bitter grapefruit and orange. As it warms up I get a bit more sweetness and some peach flavors. Finishes with a big blast of pine

Mouthfeel- Carbonation is light, but present. Has a bit of a creamy feel to it, and a super dry finish.

Overall- I'm digging it, and glad I was able to get a super fresh bottle. I'll for sure be picking up another bottle next time it comes around.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 22:31:03 | More by mahak213

Mullen2525

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-20-2013 17:43:08 | More by Mullen2525

powz87

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-20-2013 17:22:59 | More by powz87

jampics2

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-20-2013 12:56:18 | More by jampics2

Fwai

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-20-2013 11:38:34 | More by Fwai

comradekyle

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-20-2013 00:05:53 | More by comradekyle

stanowsf

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-19-2013 02:11:47 | More by stanowsf

Ralphs66

New York

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-19-2013 00:11:25 | More by Ralphs66

klawburke

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-18-2013 23:22:20 | More by klawburke

BRYeleJR

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +14.2%

05-18-2013 22:05:11 | More by BRYeleJR

bootdown21

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-18-2013 03:09:43 | More by bootdown21

ChrisCorbin

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-18-2013 02:43:15 | More by ChrisCorbin

jayhunter357

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

05-18-2013 02:26:30 | More by jayhunter357

In_Control_Mike

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-18-2013 02:15:05 | More by In_Control_Mike

SixBitsKyle

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-18-2013 00:54:46 | More by SixBitsKyle

Newenglandcraftbrew

Maine

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-17-2013 22:30:49 | More by Newenglandcraftbrew

muzzy

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +14.2%

05-17-2013 11:36:20 | More by muzzy

dheacck11

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 9/9/12... a little old.

Pour is a hazy golden orange with 2 fingers of light fluffy white head which lingers for a while.

Nose is moderately fragrant, with lots of resiny dry hops. Some soft hints of citrus and grapefruit.

Taste is very dry hop forward with a sticky flavor. Some subtle notes of citrus, but really just a lot of dry hop. Finish is a little more resin and sweetness.

Feel is pretty medium bodied with soft bite from the hops.

I like it. Definitely west coast style IPA with loads of dry hoppiness. Would like to try it fresher to see if there is more going on. Either way, really enjoyable, though pricey for the small format bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 00:15:04 | More by dheacck11

Rainblows

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-16-2013 14:34:59 | More by Rainblows

gdub

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-16-2013 14:16:19 | More by gdub

jmmy3

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-16-2013 04:45:52 | More by jmmy3