Notch Brewing Tafelbier: Taking Session To The Next Level [Beer Reviews]

If beer didn't have alcohol would you still drink it? This question has been posed to me many a time and my answer has always been "Yes!" I drink beer primarily because it tastes good. Ok, so the booze doesn't hurt but my answer still stands. Notch recently released their Tafelbier (Table Beer) which comes in at a whopping 2.8% abv, so while not non-alcoholic this is the most sessionable of all the beers in the Notch line and that's a great thing. With the 4th of July just two days away I can't think of a more perfect beer. I don't know about you but my friend's 4th of July celebrations always start mid afternoon and then, by the time we're ready to walk over to the fireworks, some of us have perhaps had one too many. But this beer is perfect for relaxing in the sun or cooling off on a hot day without worrying about having too much. It's the perfect way to extend a Summer day with a pint in hand. 

Now here's the thing, and this is important, this is not some gimmicky low ABV beer. If you didn't know it was only 2.8% you wouldn't guess it. The Belgian yeast gives the beer a great tartness and Saaz and Styrian Goldings hops provide just a touch of bitterness. Notch suggests defying normal craft beer convention and having this beer ice cold right out of the cooler. I heeded that advice and would suggest you do the same. The beer is fantastically crisp and refreshing which checks off all the right boxes a Summer beer should. I can also report that it makes a stellar shandy, the sourness of the yeast blends very nicely with some lemonade. So as you stock your fridges and coolers this Independence Day try something just a little bit different and give Notch Tafelbier a go, you won't regret it. 

You can also try lots more of Notch Brewing's beer at Drink Craft Beer Summerfest July 13th and 14th