Allagash Nowaday 6Pk

Allagash Nowaday 6-Pack is a 5.5% ABV Belgian-style blonde ale brewed like a lager by Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. What distinguishes Nowaday from standard blondes is its hybrid approach — fermented at lower temperatures with an additional lagering step, yielding a remarkably crisp, dry, low-ester beer that bridges two brewing traditions.

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

Production & Heritage

Allagash Brewing Company was founded in 1995 by Rob Tod with a singular mission to brew Belgian-inspired beers in Maine. The brewery built its reputation on Allagash White and has since expanded into a wide range of Belgian-influenced styles. Nowaday is built on a grain bill of Pilsner malt and caramel malt (10°L), hopped with Nugget, Hallertau, and Saaz — a trio that nods to both European lager and Belgian ale traditions. The key production distinction is the fermentation regime: rather than fermenting warm like a typical Belgian blonde, Nowaday is fermented at lower temperatures and given an extended lagering period, which suppresses fruity esters and delivers a notably clean, cracker-like profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light floral character from the Hallertau and Saaz hops leads the nose, followed by gentle hints of citrus and a subtle crackery malt sweetness. The overall impression is clean and inviting without heavy yeast-driven aromatics.

Taste: The entry is crisp and dry, with Pilsner malt providing a clean, bready foundation. At mid-palate, delicate notes of citrus and peach emerge alongside soft floral hop flavors. A restrained bitterness keeps things balanced without lingering harshness, and the low ester character from the cold fermentation lets the malt and hops speak clearly.

Finish: The finish is dry and refreshing with medium carbonation and a slightly creamy mouthfeel that gives it just enough body to feel substantial. Soft bitterness fades cleanly, leaving a crackery, faintly floral aftertaste.

How to Drink Nowaday

Nowaday drinks best cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to release its subtle hop aromatics. Its clean, dry profile also makes it a strong candidate for beer-based drinks. A Shandy pairs Nowaday's crispness with fresh lemonade for a summer standby. A Michelada benefits from Nowaday's light body and clean finish, letting lime and hot sauce take center stage. A Beergarita — blending Nowaday with a frozen margarita — works because the beer's low ester character and dry finish prevent the drink from becoming cloyingly sweet.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings where easy-drinking beer is essential
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to Belgian-inspired styles without heavy yeast complexity
• Pairing with lighter fare like grilled seafood, salads, or tacos
• Stocking a fridge for a weekend trip where sessionable, flavorful beer is the priority

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nowaday taste like? Nowaday is crisp, dry, and refreshing with a crackery Pilsner malt backbone, gentle citrus and peach notes, and a soft floral bitterness from its blend of Hallertau, Saaz, and Nugget hops.

How does Nowaday compare to Allagash White? While Allagash White is an unfiltered Belgian witbier with prominent coriander and orange peel spicing, Nowaday is a cleaner, drier blonde ale fermented at lager temperatures, resulting in far less yeast character and a crisper, more restrained flavor profile.

Is Nowaday good for beginners? Nowaday is an excellent entry point into Belgian-inspired craft beer because its lagering process strips away the bold yeast esters that can be polarizing, delivering a clean and approachable drinking experience at a moderate 5.5% ABV.

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

What foods pair well with Nowaday? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement its dry, citrus-tinged profile. A fresh arugula salad with goat cheese mirrors its light body. Steamed mussels with white wine broth echo its Belgian roots. Mild soft cheeses like Havarti match its delicate malt sweetness without overpowering the beer.

What sizes does Nowaday come in? Nowaday is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format.

Is Nowaday worth the price? Nowaday positions within the approachable end of the craft beer spectrum — priced in line with other year-round Allagash offerings, it delivers a distinctive hybrid brewing technique and quality ingredients that justify its place above mass-market lagers.

Why Nowaday?

The defining move behind Nowaday is Allagash's decision to ferment a Belgian-style blonde at lager temperatures and add an extended cold conditioning step — a technique that strips out the fruity esters typical of warm-fermented Belgian ales and produces an unusually clean, dry result. The hop selection of Nugget, Hallertau, and Saaz bridges American bittering with classic European aroma hops, giving the beer a subtle complexity that rewards attention without demanding it. At 5.5% ABV, it sits in a sessionable range that makes it practical for extended drinking. For anyone looking for a craft beer that delivers more nuance than a standard lager but more restraint than a typical Belgian blonde, Nowaday occupies a genuinely useful middle ground.