When I first visited RAR Brewing’s Cambridge, Md., brewpub in the spring of 2014, I fell hard for Nanticoke Nectar, a West Coast-style IPA loaded with fragrant Citra hops. I tried to buy a growler to share at a friend’s beach house, but the beer was so popular — and production was so limited — that RAR only sold “the Necta” in the taproom.
Thankfully, no one will ever feel my pain again.
Last month, RAR began rolling out cans of Nanticoke Nectar to stores and bars on the “Western Shore,” including the District. It’s a hop-lover’s dream, with big mango and grapefruit zest in the nose, plus a fair amount of dank resin. It’s packed with orange and citrus up front and a grassy pine bitterness at the end. What makes it stand out is the amount of malt in the well-balanced body, though the caramel flavors wisely play second-fiddle to the Citra and Centennial hops.
RAR has been sending more kegs our way in recent months, including Big Lizz, a spiced harvest ale made with butternut squash instead of pumpkin. For now, though, Nectar’s the only one that will be found outside of bars. Co-owner Chris Brohawn says via e-mail that the brewery will be “focusing on Nectar and one-off, taproom-only can releases for the time being. Expect a lot of juicy, citrusy hop bombs.” Coming in mid-November: A more potent canned IPA called Hyde, which Brohawn calls “Nectar’s little brother.” Who’s up for a road trip?
RAR Brewing, www.rarbrewing.com. Six-pack of Nanticoke Nectar, $12-$13.
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