When you see a beer from Bridgeport-based Marz Brewing in the shop’s cooler, it's instantly recognizable. It’s likely you’ve never seen it before, and hell, it may even be hard to find again (this is artisanal, small-batch beer, after all), but you’ll simply know it when you see it. The beer often comes in bombers, the labels are kitschy and cool, and the descriptions are intriguing—Mosaic hops and fruity Rooibos tea flavors, or the one inspired by the Vietnamese noodle soup pho. The point is, you need to try it.
Most recently, I reached into the cooler for the mango variety of Jungle Boogie, a pale wheat ale with Rooibos tea that clocks in at a healthy 5.4% ABV. And yes, I grabbed it because the flowers on the label spoke to me. I just had to have it, and you should, too. It’s the perfect beer for drinking on your friend’s porch—it even tastes like summer going into fall, with a splash of mango. It isn’t too citrusy, but has just a little reminder of a summer day with a hint of tea at the end. The pour looks thick, reminiscent of a heavy cider, but don’t be fooled; this is a crisp, end-of-season pale wheat ale. It’s a slight twist on a classic, clever and delicious. Our advice? Buy two.