Wet your whistle with these local drinks

Tears of My Enemies

Monday Night Brewing, Atlanta

Limited release available in 500 milliliter bottles

Profile: Tears of My Enemies started out as an award-winning scotch barrel-aged milk stout in Monday Night’s limited edition Black Tie series. But, this year’s release was split into three batches, aged in scotch barrels (like the 2017 version), bourbon barrels and a very limited number of ASW Distillery apple brandy barrels.

Obviously, each barrel imparts a different flavor profile. The original blend of milk chocolate, Ugandan vanilla beans and coffee from Batdorf & Bronson is rich with flavors of hot chocolate, coffee with cream and loads of roasted notes. Monday Night co-founder Jonathan Baker once said, “Like the tears of your enemies, the most delicious thing you’ve ever tasted.”

Pair with: Tears of My Enemies is one of those beers that’s perfect to sip after dinner in lieu of dessert. But, it would pair well with milk or dark chocolate, or aged gouda or triple cream cheese.

Barrel-Aged Craft Cider

UrbanTree Cidery, Atlanta

Available in 750 milliliter cork and caged bottles

Profile: Among the newest and smallest American craft cideries, Urban Tree uses the juice from its own North Georgia hand-pressed apples to make its Barrel-Aged Craft Cider, which is fermented with champagne yeast, and aged in Nicaraguan rum barrels.

Among its distinctive aromas and flavors, you’ll find notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, a touch of smoke and a slightly boozy character that arises in the offdry finish.

Pair with: UrbanTree recommends pairing the cider with roasted and grilled dishes and strong cheeses. I think it would make a perfect match for pulled pork barbecue or grilled pork chops, or a traditional raw cow’s milk English cheddar, such as Keen’s.

Reclaimed Rye

Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Athens

Available on draft and in 12-ounce cans

Profile: One of my favorites among Creature Comforts’ original core brands, Reclaimed Rye always has taken a backseat to wildly popular Tropicalia and affable Athena Berliner Weisse. But, after a three-year wait, it finally has been released in cans, which certainly will make it more widely available, and, hopefully, better appreciated.

A creative reimagining of the American amber ale style, it’s made with malted and flaked rye and aged in French oak, all of which makes for a subtly complex and easy-drinking beer. Look for spicy notes from the rye, with a bready malt base, and a touch of caramel and vanilla in the aroma and flavor.

Pair with: Like most amber ales, Reclaimed Rye is exceedingly food-friendly, easily pairing with Tex-Mex, pub grub or even Asian dishes. But, its spicy rye and wood-aged essence makes me want to match it with deli favorites like a pumpernickel bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, or pastrami on rye with grainy mustard.

Lord Grey

Three Taverns Brewery, Decatur

Available on draft and in sixpack cans

Profile: Taking a cue from the folks at the Porter Beer Bar, the Three Taverns brewing team worked out a sour beer recipe with the addition of Earl Grey tea leaves.

The result is a crisp, easy-drinking tart ale, with herbal flavors and aromas, and that characteristic English tea’s touch of bergamot orange. And, the can design from Metaleap Creative is pretty cool, too.

Pair with: With its tart presence and herbal aromas and flavors, Lord Grey could serve as an elegant aperitif, or make a good match with lighter lunch or brunch dishes, including salads, seafood, sushi, or a goat cheese and wild mushroom omelet.

Euphonia Pilsner

New Realm Brewing Co., Atlanta

Available on draft at New Realm and at select Atlanta beer bars

Profile: Tagged “a true brewer’s beer,” Euphonia Pilsner combines old school German Hersbrucker hops with newer varieties, including Huell Melon, Saphir and Sterling. Benefiting from the modern technique of hop bursting, it brims with bright aromas and flavors, with a subtle snap of bitterness.

The sparkling gold color and bubbly white head make for an elegant pour in a tall pilsner glass. Floral, herbal, citrus and spicy notes blend with a bready touch of malt, and a hoppy, very dry finish that’s utterly refreshing.

Pair with: Pilsners are very food-friendly, and Euphonia is no exception. Try it with fried fish, calamari, burrata, prosciutto, a cheeseburger or a pepperoni pizza.