The beer that put Bissell Brothers Brewing on the map – The Substance
Bissell Brothers has been one of the most sought after breweries in the Northeast for over a decade now. The Portland, Maine brewery sold their first kegs in late 2013 while their taproom didn’t open until April of the following year. They are known for their hazies and are on a mission to “change people’s perceptions of what beer and the beer experience can be” all while keeping their home state at the forefront.
That connection to their roots is why it was so hard for people outside of Maine and New England to find their beers. In fact, this is the first beer of theirs I’ve ever gotten my hands on…and it’s their flagship beer – The Substance.
The Substance is an IPA brewed with Crystal and 2-Row malt, wheat and oats from Maine, and five hop varieties (Apollo, Centennial, Chinook, Falconer’s Flight, and Simcoe). It’s got a solid 6.6% ABV and the 16-ounce can cost me about $7.50.
It poured an opaque orange color with about a finger and a half of eggshell white head topping it off. The foam lingers for a decent while, slowly fizzling down into a small accumulation around the edge of the glass. There is some moderate lacing but nothing major.
The aroma was hoppy and fruity. There were notes of stone fruits, grapefruit, pineapple, melon, mango, and citrus rind. And those flaked wheat and oats added that familiar cereal-like grainy quality underneath.
My first swig began with a soft and creamy mouthfeel with just a dash of carbonation fizzling underneath. It’s quite a subtle hazy, as the flavors are very slow to build up and, when they do, it’s not a very intense taste…which makes it very, very easy to go back for more.
Appearing first is a nice and juicy orange and tangerine quality that is quickly followed by hints of apricot, honeydew, and just a hint of peaches. The grist plays in here nicely as well, adding to that sweetness without having too much of that cereal flavor come out.
Around the midway point, there is a tangy bite of pineapple and a pop of juicy mango that take over and dominate the taste buds until everything ends a few moments later.
That acidic twinge from pineapple lingers, as does a bit of pithy orange peel. However, it’s a relatively clean finish, with some dryness appearing after three or four sips. And, while it drinks rather light, it does sit a bit heavier. By the halfway point of the pint, and despite how easy the beer drinks, I could feel myself getting a tad bit full and slowing down.
The Substance is a very good hazy IPA and I can see why it put Bissell Brothers on the map all those years ago. However, these days with everyone making hazies and how far we’ve come, it’s nothing that will blow you away. Do I want seconds? Absolutely. Is it a new favorite? Not quite. It’s easy to drink, it has a nice flavor profile, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the beer. But it’s not the dominating force I was hoping for and, instead, is just another very good hazy IPA.
