This is yet another first for me.  I saw Misery Bay IPA and the packaging intrigued me.  It shows some patriotic looking fellows rowing a boat with one guy pointing and "No, I think the brewery is THAT way" written as his speech.  This made me think I MUST have been this guy in a past life!  Erie Brewing Co. calls Erie, PA home and was founded in 1993.  It has been expanding ever since and I can see why.  The quality of this beer is solid, honest, and true.  It may not have the flair of Flying Dog, Rogue, or Stone, but it stands on its own merits.

It pours golden brown with a half inch tan head.  Apricot stands out on the nose, though this is NOT an apricot beer.  I'm curious to know what yeast was used in this brew.  The hops add some very nice floral aromas and the malts are downright creamy smelling.  There is even some citrus sneaking through and the transitions from the bitter hop smell to the flowers to the citrus really give you an idea of what you can expect from this beer.  Misery Bay smells delicious! 

The hops explode on the palate with some good old fashioned American bitterness and last throughout.  The floral aromas from the nose carry over to the palate and pair very well with the bitterness.  The malts are there, but clearly the hops are the focus. The citrus from the nose comes through strong on the finish.  The combination of the bittering hops and the lemon on the finish is fantastic!  Personally, I wouldn't dilute these flavors with food, but it would pair well with a big, bloody steak or a thick, greasy burger (and no, I'm not talking about McDonald's, go find a greasy spoon!).

This is the kind of beer that suits me well.  It's bitter, it's complex, and it's proud.  I'm very pleased with this beer and I highly recommend it to hopheads.  There is a character here that I adore.  This is one of my favorite beers this year and I really hope I can find more from Erie Brewing Company.  If you find this in your local beer shop, buy it and don't think twice.  This has GOT to be on your must-have list!