For over 50 years, Waywood Beverage has supplied the good folks of Kennett Square with the finest in beverage selections.
Owner Mike Spaziani, who purchased Waywood from his father, Nick, in 1994, remembers a time when those options were limited to little more than a dozen different beers. But in keeping up with the ever-growing popularity of craft beer, Spaziani now stocks nearly 1,000 different beers at any given time and works very hard to keep up with the constantly evolving availability of new and seasonal brews.
Waywood manager Jeff Williamson assures us that this year will be no different and that Waywood customers will continue to enjoy one of the best craft beer inventories in the area. With springtime nearly upon us, Williamson was happy to name his top spring seasonals and new offerings.
Top Spring Seasonals (& More!) at Waywood Beverage:
Troegs Cultivator Helles Bock
A new seasonal this year by Troegs, this offering comes in the form of a traditional spring style, the Helles Bock, which translates to light bock. Helles bocks, Bavarian in origin, are strong golden lagers that usually have an assertive hop character and noticeable ABV. Troegs Cultivator has a pleasant aroma of light grains, mild wildflower honey and fresh grassy hops. The flavor is slightly more grassy than the aroma suggests but still shows off some clean, grainy malts and hides the 6.9% ABV very nicely. All in all, a very refreshing spring beer that can stand up to the colder weather while inviting in the warmer temps. Cultivator is slightly limited so stop in and grab your case soon.
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye
This yearly late winter/early spring offering is an annual favorite at Waywood Beverage. Sierra Nevada is well-known for their quality, particularly when it comes to pale ales and India pale ales. This particular IPA is brewed with rye, which adds a layer of earthy, peppery spice to a beer that has nice grapefruity citrus, resinous pine and a doughy malt backing that packs notes of caramel and even a touch of chocolate malt. Overall, this is an IPA with complex flavor and a nice balance that also serves as a transition between the final winter months with the upcoming spring season.
Widmer Brothers Upheaval IPA
While not a seasonal offering, Widmer Brothers Upheaval IPA is making its debut this spring as a new flagship brew for Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. Described as a “Northwestern-style IPA,” this unfiltered offering boasts plenty of hoppy fruit flavors and aromas including apricot, citrus, tropical fruits and pine. Couple these with a malt bill that includes 40% wheat malt, which provides a clean, crisp flavor and minimizes some of the graininess, and you get a nice IPA that really showcases the six different hop varieties in this brew. Though this will be a year-round offering, get your case today and be the first on your block to bring this tasty IPA to the party.
Kona Koko Brown
This winter/spring offering from the Hawaiian brewery, Kona Brewing Company, is not only very tasty but also a nice change of pace for those who aren’t partial to the more hoppy spring offerings. Koko Brown is a nut brown ale brewed with real coconut that focuses on malt forward flavors of caramel, toffee and nuts as well as a nice toasted coconut accent. This is a great beer to pair with barbecued meats, making it ideal for those first grilling days in the spring. And just like our guide to pairing beer with Girl Scout Cookies suggests, this one is perfect to go with those Samoas/Caramel deLites that you still have lingering in your cupboards.
Evil Genius Hop King
Hop King is a brand-new imperial IPA from the locally based Evil Genius Brewing Company. Luke Bowen, co-owner of Evil Genius, tells us that the Simcoe, Citra and Amarillo hops in Hop King give it a big tropical aroma with lots of grapefruit and tangerine. The 8.1% ABV is masterfully hidden by juicy hop flavors that carry through to a strong citrusy finish. Luke also tells us that for now, this one is considered a one-and-done special release. Waywood is happy to have some of this limited-edition brew in stock but it won’t last long! Act fast so you don’t miss the opportunity to taste a fabulous imperial IPA and support your local brewery.
Dogfish Head Aprihop
Another yearly spring favorite at Waywood, Aprihop is described by the good folks at Dogfish Head as “our fruit beer for hopheads.” Real apricots are added to the beer, complimenting an aggressive dry-hopping with Amarillo hops and rounding out a luscious fruity hop profile. The apricot really shines in the fresh, floral aroma while playing a supporting role to juicy hops and crisp bitterness in the flavor, which is balanced nicely with pilsner and crystal malts. Dogfish Head suggests pairing Aprihop with Mexican dishes. Grab a case at Waywood before stopping for tacos at one of the top taco spots in Kennett Square!
Waywood Beverage is not only stocked with these new and seasonal brews, but also with a huge craft and import selection that is sure to please even the most discerning of beer aficionados. Waywood employees are knowledgeable and more than happy to help you make a selection, find what you are looking for, or even just talk beer with you. You may be lucky enough to catch one of their frequent samplings but you are sure to get a great case of beer and even greater service.
Find Waywood Beverage Co. at 624 Millers Hill in Kennett Square; phone: (610) 444-2337.
