Diesel

After home-brewing for years, beer enthusiast Shane Welch took his 100-plus recipes and decided to start a brewery in the most unlikely of places: an 800-square-foot garage in Brooklyn. In 2004, Sixpoint Brewery became a reality.

 At the time, the neighborhood was not in great shape but has since seen an abundance of growth and renewal, in which the Sixpoint crew believe they’ve played a part. The brewery’s six-point star logo comes from the Middle Ages, when it was customary for brewers to brand their beer with a six-pointed star to signify purity and excellence. Today, the brewery is housed in a 16,000-square-foot building and brews 25,000 barrels a year.

Known for innovative and style-bending beers, Sixpoint strives to consistently create beers that are outside the box. The brewery focuses on constantly improving every beer with each batch and is not afraid to do things its own way. 

Last year, Sixpoint transitioned to 16-ounce cans, which it calls “nanokegs.” Among its core releases are The Crisp, a pilsner; Bengali Tiger, an India Pale Ale; Righteous Ale, a rye beer; and Sweet Action, a cream ale. This past winter welcomed a double IPA called Resin and quite possibly the brewery’s most beloved brew — the dark, roasty and devilishly hoppy stout, Diesel.

Aromas of chocolate, coffee and roasted malts are present in Diesel, a seasonal release which some have called Sixpoint’s best beer. Beer aficionados could also argue that the brew is more IPA than stout — thanks to its strong hop presence. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure: Diesel is one enjoyable and well-crafted brew.

Diesel is available in 4-pack 16-ounce cans for $8.99. It can be found at Acme Fresh Markets, Giant Eagle, Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Heinen’s, West Point Market and other fine craft beer establishments. Also look out for Diesel on draft this winter at craft beer havens like The Lockview, 101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall and Lizardville.

/ Writer Aaron Fowler is a bit of craft beer geek. Though he may deem himself a bonafide hophead, he never passes up a well-defined stout.