Allagash Nowaday 12Pk

Allagash Nowaday 12Pk is a 12-pack of Belgian-style blonde ale brewed like a lager by Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine, at 5.5% ABV. What distinguishes Nowaday from typical blondes is its hybrid approach — applying lager-like brewing techniques to a Belgian-style recipe, yielding a beer that drinks cleaner and crisper than most ales in the category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Portland, Maine, USA  |  Style: Belgian-Style Blonde Ale  |  Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Allagash Brewing Company, founded in 1995 by Rob Tod in Portland, Maine, built its reputation on Belgian-inspired beers — most famously Allagash White. The brewery has remained fiercely independent and dedicated to Belgian brewing traditions adapted for American craft drinkers. Nowaday represents a refined take on the blonde ale style, brewed using lager-like methods that emphasize crispness and drinkability over the heavier yeast-forward character typical of many Belgian ales. The result is a bridge beer: Belgian soul with lager-like discipline.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Subtle Belgian yeast esters greet the nose first, followed by fresh grassy and lightly herbal notes. A faint lemon peel character rounds out the aromatics without overwhelming.

Taste: The entry is clean and dry, immediately distinguishing itself from sweeter blonde ales. Mid-palate brings a bready, lightly biscuity malt character layered with a gentle lemony brightness. The balance tilts toward refreshment rather than complexity, with Belgian yeast adding just enough character to keep things interesting.

Finish: Crisp and dry with a slightly herbal, grassy fadeout. The finish is notably clean for an ale, reflecting the lager-inspired brewing approach — no lingering sweetness or heavy yeast residue.

How to Drink Nowaday

Nowaday drinks best cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to coax out the subtle Belgian yeast aromatics. Its dry, crisp profile also makes it a versatile ingredient in beer cocktails and food pairings.

• Shandy: Mix with fresh lemonade — Nowaday's existing lemony notes and dry finish create a seamless, balanced shandy without cloying sweetness.
• Michelada: The clean, crisp body pairs well with lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice, letting the herbal finish add subtle depth.
• Beer-mosa: Substitute for champagne with fresh orange juice at brunch — the dry, effervescent character holds its own against the citrus.

Best For

• Warm-weather cookouts and backyard gatherings where sessionability matters
• Introducing macro-lager drinkers to craft beer through a familiar, approachable profile
• Pairing with lighter fare like grilled seafood, salads, or charcuterie
• Stocking a fridge for guests who appreciate quality without heaviness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nowaday taste like? Nowaday is crisp, dry, and refreshing with a bready malt backbone, light lemon notes, and a hint of Belgian yeast character. It finishes clean with subtle herbal and grassy undertones.

How does Nowaday compare to Allagash White? While Allagash White is a witbier with prominent coriander and orange peel spicing, Nowaday is a blonde ale brewed like a lager — drier, cleaner, and less spice-forward, making it a more restrained, everyday-drinking alternative from the same brewery.

Is Nowaday good for beginners? Nowaday is an excellent entry point into Belgian-style craft beer because its lager-like crispness and 5.5% ABV feel familiar and approachable, without the heavy yeast character that can challenge newer craft drinkers.

Where is Nowaday made? Nowaday is brewed at Allagash Brewing Company, located at 50 Industrial Way in Portland, Maine — a brewery founded in 1995 that specializes in Belgian-inspired ales.

What foods pair well with Nowaday? Grilled white fish benefits from the beer's lemony crispness; goat cheese salads complement its dry, herbal finish; mussels in white wine mirror its Belgian roots; grilled chicken picks up the bready malt notes; and light charcuterie boards match its balanced, unfussy profile.

What sizes does Nowaday come in? This offering is a 12-pack format; Allagash typically packages Nowaday in 12 oz cans.

Is Nowaday worth the price? Nowaday positions as a premium everyday craft beer — priced above mass-market lagers but justified by Allagash's reputation for quality and the thoughtful hybrid brewing approach that gives it more character than a standard blonde ale.

Why Nowaday?

Allagash has spent nearly three decades earning trust as one of America's finest Belgian-inspired breweries, and Nowaday channels that expertise into a beer built for repeat drinking. The decision to brew a blonde ale using lager techniques is deliberate — it strips away excess and lets the grain and yeast speak clearly without the heavier body common to the style. In a crowded market of blonde ales that trend sweet or bland, Nowaday's dry, grassy, and genuinely crisp profile stands apart. It is a thinking person's session beer from a brewery that doesn't cut corners.