Rob North pouring his winning homebrew at Gillette Stadium.

What a fabulous head sitting on a nice amber/brown color that suggests subtle richness. This is without a doubt the most interesting nose I’ve ever smelled, almost like warm, smoked ham. Positively delicious. And the mouthfeel is light and creamy. The meatiness continues with the flavor. Is this what Randy Mosher means when he talks about Umami? I’ll say up front I’m not such a rauchbier fan, because of the intensity of smoke often found in the style. However, Rob North, the homebrewer who beat out nearly 200 other passionate homebrewers to win the third annual Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew contest.Clearly, Rob is a homebrew stylist, with a focus on a balance and delicacy. His beer even finishes very delicate, with that smoky/bacon meatiness lingering for quite some time. This beer will only be available on draft at Gillette Stadium.