Next up in the Best Brew Beer Mary Challenge is Nordeast, another fine Minnesotan Grain Belt product. Compared to Grain Belt Premium, Nordeast has a sweeter, less grain-y flavor. But again, like Grain Belt Premium, it’s cheap, smooth and drinkable. I actually prefer Premium to Nordeast myself, but does this preference hold up in Beer Mary form?
Fun fact: The original Grain Belt Brewery was located in Northeast Minneapolis, popularly referred to as simply “Northeast” by locals. ‘Nordeast’ is an endearing term which comes from the Northern and Eastern European immigrants and their language which helped shape Northeast Minneapolis. The beer itself pays homage to Grain Belt’s history and the people who made it great. Cheers to that!
Interestingly, Nordeast is particularly delicious when mixed with vegetable juice (both V8 and Clamato). Perhaps due to its sweeter flavor, I found that Nordeast balanced well with veggie juice, creating a pretty kickass Beer Mary. A few dashes of hot sauce or a spoonful of horseradish really elevate the Nordeast Beer Mary. I highly recommend pairing it with a few salty green olives.
Overall, I give Nordeast an A for being so delicious. Nordeast pairs seriously well with veggie juice, making it very drinkable sans the addition of other Bloody Mary ingredients. And when you’re nursing a wicked hangover, easy is the name of the game.
Comments