Montauk Brewing Company - Wave Chaser

This IPA from Montauk pours a somewhat hazy golden orange color, capped by a nice pillow of off-white foam that decends to a persistent collar. In the aroma, we picked up a bold cocktail of tropical fruits leading the way, backed by notes of candied citrus, prominent stone fruit impressions, and touches of woodsy pine and light melon. In the flavor, look for those tropical notes to remain front and center with noticeable pineapple character, with the other fruity layers filling everything out nicely as they cascade across the palate. Touches of pine and citrus rind meld with moderately firm hop bitterness to provide plenty of bite without going over the top. The malt backbone here is tasty, satisfying, and supportive of the hops with moderate caramelization and a dash of residual sweetness to contrast with the hoppier elements, leading to a very well-balanced IPA that’s quite refreshing – as we’d expect for a beachside brewery – in addition to being enjoyably smooth and velvety. For pairing options, the brewery recommends spicy fare like Indian, Thai, and Mexican, with a particular nod towards curry dishes. Cheers!

Situated at the easternmost point of Long Island is the village of Montauk, where Montauk Brewing Company was founded in 2012 by three friends, Vaughan Cutillo, Joe Sullivan, and Eric Moss. Natives of Montauk, the trio went to high school together and met while working as lifeguards. After graduating college, all three returned to Montauk and began brewing for fun in Vaughan’s basement, with the resulting beers consumed at parties by their friends and themselves. Eventually, they realized the area could use a craft brewery and there was a real opportunity here, so they decided to go pro. It didn’t happen overnight, however, as the team had to find a location, get funds together and, crucially, get the city to change their municipal code to allow for a brewery – a process which took about two years. Their determination paid off, and in the summer of 2012 they pedaled their first keg to a local restaurant towed behind a beach cruiser.

The team at Montauk Brewing has been focused from the start on crafting beers that reflect the local lifestyle by appealing to beer connoisseurs as well as beach goers looking for refreshment. The approach has paid off, with Montauk becoming one of the most popular craft beer brands in the NY metro area. After getting their beer into the Mets’ Citi Field in 2015, they recently expanded by opening two Montauk branded bars at the stadium for the 2023 season. Their beer can also be found at MSG and UBS Arena. In 2022, they personally delivered the first keg to their first account in New Jersey – this time not by bike, but by small boat. If you’re ever visiting the Hamptons, be sure to swing by Montauk’s big red Brew Barn tasting room, just a short walk from the beach, where you can enjoy an array of fresh beers. For more info, visit them at montaukbrewingco.com.