There aren’t many events that feature a miniature viking ship, full-sized vikings and unlimited beer pours (technically) from thirteen brewers.

Warped Pours II had all those things as home brewers claimed stake to a tree-covered space at the Boston/Cape Cod KOA Campground in Middleborough last month.

It featured 13 amateur brewers or brewing clubs offering their best and most unique takes on craft beers. Since state law prohibits home brewers to sell their product, a $25 donation was collected at the gate to go toward the KOA fund and patrons could have as many samples from each brewery as desired. Each patron received a ticket to vote for their favorite brewer.

State law require samples not exceed 2 ounces.

In the first Warped Pours event last year, more than $6,000 was raised through more than 400 attendees. In year two, the event eclipsed both marks according Metro South Home Brew League, who organized the event.

About 400 people attended Warped Pours II in Middleborough last weekend to drink home brews but also raise money for charity.

Here’s what Warped Tours had to offer beginning with the brewers who finished in the top three, followed by the order I happened to visit their booth.

Strong Side Brewing

Strong Side Brewing defended its title at Warped Pours II in Middleborough last weekend. One of the brews, Too Legit, sits atop the stand at the booth.

Strong Side Brewing, the defending champion, won again this year. The one-man-brewery brought six brews to Warped Pours.

Too Legit - a New England Session IPA 4.5% ABV

“Session IPA with crisp, clean citrus and grapefruit characteristics. Light bodied with hints of mango and tropical fruits."

Take the Leap - a New England Double IPA 8.1% ABV: “Double IPA with muddled tropical fruit notes. Slightly piney and earthy with a low yet lingering bitterness.”

The Big Day - coffee stout 5.5% AB: “Irish Stout brewed with lactose, with cold-brewed dark roast coffee.”

Exposure Therapy - a barleywine% 10.8 ABV: “Sweet caramel notes are met with a bourbon barrel aged smoothness. Slightly floral, with hints of fruit.”

My Way - Kolsch-style ale 4.8% ABV: “A balanced Kolsch style ale with a crips bite from noble hops with a smooth bready finish.”

Proper Breakfast - stout 5% ABV: “Subtle notes of dark chocolate and a slight coffee roast are the stars of the show in this brew.”

Strong Side Brewing defended its title at Warped Pours II in Middleborough last weekend. One of the brews, Take the Leap, sits atop the stand at the booth.

I tried Too Legit and Take the Leap.

Too Legit offered a smooth taste with kick of fruit, which didn’t overpower the the brew but allowed for a refreshing taste. I detected the hints of mango advertised in the description.

Take the Leap offered more of a punch with hops, but didn’t overwhelm me. Some fruitiness also came through, but like Too Legit, the profile of the IPA wasn’t lost. It’s wasn’t too heavy either, allowing for a nice summer drink.

Each offered some of the most complex and dynamic tastes at the event.

Anawan Brewing Company

Anawan Brewing Company offered three beers at Warped Pours II, including Now Entering the Bridgewater Triangle (left) and Suns out Guns Out.

Anawan finished second. It offered three beers.

Now Entering the Bridgewater Triangle - a New England IPA 6.6% ABV: “A juicy, hazy New England Style IPA brewed with Galaxy, Citra and Mandarina Bavaria hops"

Pina CoLage r - an Adjunct lager 7.2% ABV: “An imperial lager with pineapple, coconut and vanilla adding creating the perfect summer escape.”

Suns Out Guns Ou t - a Summer Ale 5.5%: “A smooth summer slammer brewed with Eureka, Mandarina Bavaria and Bru-1 hops.

The names caught me more than the description as I tried Now Entering the Bridgewater Triangle and Suns out Guns Out.

Entering Bridgewater offered a strong New England IPA with a nice citrus taste. It was a smooth beer as well. Suns Out Guns Out offered a smooth summer tasting beer. It was one of the easiest beers to drink leading to what the kids call a “crushable beer.”

Merrimack Valley Home Brewing Club

The Merrimack Valley Home Brewers Club featured a number of brews including a cider (left), Groveyard (middle) and Brewbie.

Merrimack Valley Home Brewing Club or MVHBC for short finished tied for third. They brought 10 brews to Warped Pours.

Côtes du Salem - a common cider 5.2% ABV: “Off dry hard cider. Carlson Orchards Cider. Contains Sulfites. Gluten free.

Cashmere Outside - American IPA 6.9% ABV: “100% Cashmere hops.”

Lagahoo - a sweet stout 7.6% ABV: “Tropical stout.”

Vacationland - fruit beer 5.0% ABV: “Kettle sour rested on wild Maine blueberries.”

Jedi Mind Trick - specialty beer 6.0% ABV: “Hoppy milkshake porter fermented with lactose vanilla beans. Late kettle hopped. Whirlpooled and dry hopped with Pekko.”

Southern Ho - a New England IPA 6.8% ABV: “A New England IPA featuring southern passion and Idaho 7 hops.”

Pineapple Concoction - fruit beer 5.9% ABV: “Fruited keele sour MVHBC Big Brew Day Chopped! Style with random adjunct/specialty malt/hops.”

Smoked Brown - other smoked beer 5.4% ABV: “Brown ale made with a touch of smoke malt.”

Groveyard - American IPA 5.3% ABV: “Milkshake IPA brewed with lactose vanilla bean and sweet orange peel.”

Brewbie - fruit beer: “Brewed with hibiscus and rose hips. Rested on strawberries and champagne yeast.”

I tried three of the 10 brews offered - Brewbie, Côtes du Salem and Groveyard.

Each wound out being one of my favorites on the day. Brewbie offered a hint of beer while the strawberry flavor stood out. It was very drinkable, one that could be consumed in large quantities before you know how many you actually had.

Côtes du Salem was a top cider that I tried on the day. It offered a nice punch of apple that wasn’t too sweet but also not too dry.

Groveyard turned out to be the most interested beer I tried all afternoon. Definitely not a crushable beer, and I’m not sure I could drink an entire glass, but the uniqueness had me talking about it all day. It tasted as it was described - an IPA milkshake. The fruit from the beer was present at the start with lactose while the hops appear toward the end.

Knights of the Mashing Fork

The Knights of the Mashing Fork brought 11 brews to Warped Pours II. On the left is Sars'aparilla and Pears and Cherry Cider.

The Connecticut-based brewing club also tied for third. They brought 11 brews to Warped Pours II.

Sars’ aparilla - a root beer cream ale 6.2% ABV

Blondes Have More Fun - Barley wine 8% ABV: “Blonde barleywine with coldbrew coffee, vanilla beans and coca nibs.”

Belgian Tripel - 11% ABV

Pear and Cherry Cider - 6.7% ABVWalk of Shame - breakfast stout 5% ABV“Breakfast stout with oatmeal and coffee.

Mystek IPA - New England IPA 6.5% ABV

Mosaic Brut IPA - 6.5% ABVCzech Pils - 4.5% ABV

Shanda-Lama-Ding-Dong - Summer shandy with lemonade 5% ABV

Take the Black IPA - black IPA 6.5% ABV“Black IPA with staggered hop additions”

Creme de Bananers - Club cream ale 6% ABV: “Club cream ale fermented with Belgian yeast for that hefeweizen bananery goodness..”

Unfortunately, I arrived at the Nights of the Mashing Fork later in the day and only had the stamina to try two of their options. I heard many patrons complimenting them throughout the day, though.

I tried the Sars’aparilla and the Pears and Cherry Cider. The smell of the Sars’aparilla was one of the best on the day. It offered a strong root beer smell and a cream ale taste. It was one of the most unique beverages served, without question. I really enjoyed it.

The cider tasted more cherry than pear but offered a nice, smooth, sweet option for those needing a break from all the stronger beers available.

Ole’ Buzzard

Ole' Buzzard participated in Warped Pours II last weekend in Middleborough and featured two brews, a barrel aged Kolsch and Chug of Darkness.

The Acushnet based home brewer offered two options.

A barrel aged Kolsch - 4.89% ABV

Chug of Darkness - IPA >8% ABV

I tried both options and I preferred the barrel aged Kolsch. It was aged with whiskey, which was strong within the beer. It nearly overwhelmed the brew but for whiskey fans, this was a good choice.

The Chug of Darkness wasn’t too dark of a brew. It offered a lighter taste that it appeared it would. While carrying the name of an IPA, it didn’t offer an strong punch, which I liked.

South Shore Brew Club

South Shore Brew Club offered a number of beers at Warped Pours II in Middleborough last weekend, including the Sit Vic New England IPA (left) and a Wild Cider.

South Shore Brew Club came to Warped Tours with seven alcoholic beverages which ranged from beer, cider and a mead.

Scotch Plaid - 7.1% ABVLemonaide with honey - 0 ABV

California Common - 5.5% ABVWild Cider - 5% ABVSaison - 6.5% ABV

Blueberry Semi Sweet Mead - 9.1% ABVCoffee Pale Ale - 6.4% ABV

Sit Vic New England IP A - 6% ABV

A fan of ciders, as you can probably tell, I tried the Wild Cider, along with the Sit Vic New England IPA.

I preferred the Sit Vic, which was a light option. It certainly fell under the header of a “crushable” brew. The cider offered a stronger tart taste than sweet.

Matt’s Brew Research Lab

Matt's Research Lab offered multiple brews at Warped Pours II last week including Cranimal (left), and Matt's Summer Ale.

Matt’s Brew Lab was one of the few breweries that comprised of just one person.

The Cranima l - a wheat win 9.5% ABV: “Wheat malty flavor toasty, caramel, full bodied. A slow sipping brew.”

Matt’s Summer Ale - witbier 5% ABV: “A crisp, refreshing, crushable summer ale. Made with cage free ingredients, pilsner, wheat, flaked oats, coriander and the zest from two grapefruits.”

The Unnamed New England IPA - New England IPA 6.3%

I tried the Cranimal and was torn between the other two options, I asked Matt and he suggested his summer ale.

The Cranimal was quite good. The cranberry popped and it almost tasted more like a cider than a wine. A very easy drinking brew, it offered a refreshing taste on a summer day. The summer ale contrasted the Cranimal with an earthy, almost nutty taste. I wasn’t able to taste any hints of fruit but overall, liked it.

Sour not Sorry

Sour Not Sorry brought a pair of sour beers to Warped Pours II last weekend in Middleborough. They were Total Deutschebag (left) and Sour Summer.

Another one-man-band, Sour not Sorry also, as the name implies, specialized in sours. It featured two brews.

Total Deutschebag ! - sour 3.2% ABV: “Sour smoke ale with apples.”

Sour Summer - sour 3% ABV: “Sour brewed with lemons, limes and Nelson Sauvin hops”

I tried both sours and enjoyed each. Total Deutschebag not only took the crown for best name but had a nice flavor profile. It wasn’t too sour but the smoked apple flavor was certainly present. Overall, it tasted like a sour cider, which doesn’t sound good, but trust me, it was.

The Sour Summer felt similar to a good shandy, but with a sour twist. It mimicked a spiked lemonade - a refreshing summer beverage.

Mash Holes

Mash Holes offered the most amount of brews at Warped Pours II including Some Fruity Bulls--- (left) and It Comes and Gose.

Mash Holes or the Metro South Homebrew League, which hosted the event, also brought the most brews with a total of 20. They rivaled Sour Not Sorry for some of the best named brews at Warped Pours II.

Glascow Piss - Scottish Ale 4.9% ABV

Sour Poo See - Dark farmhouse whisky barrel fermented 12% ABV

It Comes and Gose - Gose 4.9% ABV

Cross Check - Czech Dark 5.8% ABVBert Sucks - Kiwi session mead 7% ABV

Don’t Suck - Grisette

Some Fruity Bulls--- - Kiwi Wit

Not Another NEIPA - Black IPA

Not Bad, Not Good - Pale ale 6.4%

Giant’s Bane - Red IPA

I Wish Michelle Was Here - New England IPA

Down Under on a New Englander - New England IPA

Link’s Lipstick

Hey Girl Hey - Cyser

Front Butt - Porter 6.9% ABV

Alt Lifestyle

Scott’s Blunder - IPA

I Don’t Care - Belgian Tripel 8.7% ABV

Zack’s Donkey Show - Mexican lager

Float My Boat - Strawberry Mead

I tried two brews: Some Fruity Bulls--- and It Comes and Gose.

I enjoyed both brews. Some Fruity Bulls--- was anything but. It provided a smooth fruity taste, more than just a hint. A nice beer to enjoy in the summer.

It Comes and Gose was the only Gose I saw at the event. It offered a strong earthy, nutty flavor. It was a bit strong for me, but others may enjoy it.

New Vinland

New Vinland offered a number of brews at Warped Pours II last weekend in Middleborough, including Hop-Hop-Hop-Senora (left) and Pop That!.

New Vinland brought five beer options to Warped Pours II.

Pop That! - Chocolate Cherry Soute 8.2% ABV: “A rich chocolate stout brewed with traditional grains, mals and cocao nibs. Add to it a subtle cherry aromoa to give this stout a dilicous experience.”

Hop-Hop-Hop-Senora - West Coast lager 4.5% ABV: “This is a true West Coast style lager beer dry hopped to give you a pleasing balance between floral and grains. The added time of cold storage provides you a clean finish to the palette. A lite, less filling beer filter to give off a true amber color.”

Hunt for Red October - Oktoberfest/Porter hybrid 7.5% ABV: “This beer takes a classic Marzen (Oktoberfest) recipe merged with Irish red malts to produce a delicious hybrid lager with an everyday Porter taste. It has a very pleasant aroma of sweet and roasted malts with caramel note.”

Chocolate Thunder - Chocolate brown ale 6.3% ABV: “A smooth and pleasurable brown ale. Brewed with chocolate malt and cocao nibs. An everyday brown ale with the right hint of sweet.”

Smokey Joe Porte Ale - Coffee porter 5.5% ABV: “A simple smoked grain porter with coffee flavor added. The cold brewed coffee is subtle but delicious leaving no bitterness or aftertaste. The visually dominating carbonation and good head gives you a smooth mouthfeel. Finally the cherry wood smoked grains off a pleasing aroma and finish.”

Big thanks to these guys hosting warped pours 2 yesterday, lots of great beers. Awesome event! Posted by New Vinland Brewing Crew on Sunday, June 2, 2019

I tried Hop-Hop-Hop-Senora and Pop That! Hop-Hop-Hop-Senora was difficult to describe. It offered a confusing taste and not in a bad way. Its profile was earthy but smooth, but also include a bit of a tang. Somehow it all worked. Pop That! was another surprise providing a taste of coffee but not an overwhelming bitter taste.

Rhode Island Brewing Society

The Rhode Island Brewing Society brought five brews to Warped Pours II. The one of the left is Sassy Saison. The one one the right is Fam Jam Sour.

Fam Jam Sour - 8% ABV

Breakfast Day Porter - 11% ABV

Mesquite Oaked Mead - 10% ABV

Devilmite Beam Black Ale - 6% ABV

Sassy Saison - 5% ABV

I tried the Fam Jam Sour and Sassy Saison. They worked perfectly together, in my opinion. The Fam Jam Sour lived up to its billing. It was almost too tangy. Like many sours, I would only want a small glass or one at most. The Sassy Saison was a perfect follow. It featured a berry taste and was quite smooth. An easy drinking beer that I wouldn’t mind having a couple.

Horn and Oak

Horn and Oak brought five meads to Warped Pours II. From left to right, Unethical, Uncommon Grounds and Chaos.

Horn and Oak featured five meads.

Route 66: “A sweet Lambrusco Mead with subtle hints of chocolate, age in a rye whiskey barrel.”

Uncommon Grounds: “A sweet Espresso Mead with hints of vanilla, aged in a rye whiskey barrel.”

Unethical: “A rich blend of sweet cherries and vanilla beans with hints of chocolate.”

Chaos: “Name says it all, a blend of everything I’ve made over the past 18 months, aged in a rye whiskey barrel”

Magik Apple: “A dry barrel aged Cyser.”

As one of the final booths I stopped by, how could I not try Chaos? I also tried Uncommon Grounds and Unethical.

All things considered, Chaos wasn’t bad. If you like whiskey, you’d like this drink. The same is true for Uncommon Grounds, which had an even stronger whiskey profile. Unethical lived up to its description with hints of tart berry and a bit of chocolate. It wound up tasting a little like a wine too.

North Shore Brewers

North Shore Brewing featured 10 brews for Warped Pours II. Tart Cherry Quad is on the left and Moleman Ray Gun appears on the right

North Shore Brewers brought 10 brews to Warped Pours II.

Twin Lights - New England Double IPA 8%ABV: “Healthy dose of citra, centennial, comet, el dorado, mosiac.”

Get Off My Lawn - IPA 6% ABV: “Old school hops from an old man brewer. Cascade, centennial, simcoe, chinook.”

Halibut Point - New England Session IPA 4.5% ABV: “Light bodied New England IPA that is easily crushable with a light hop bill consisting of citra, el dorado, mosiac and simcoe.”

Cape Hedge - Kolsch 5.4% ABV: “It’s like a Bud but fancier. No corn syrup was harmed in the production of this beverage.”

Brise De Printempts - Grissette 6.3% ABV: “Classic grissette fermented with French saison yeast.”

Mild and Crazy Gyle - English Mild 4% ABV: “English mild brewed from the second runnings of an old ale.”

Tart Cherry Quad - Quad 10% ABV: “Belgian Quad aged on tart and sour cherries in a zinfandel barrel.”

Great Rejoicing - Wee heavy 10% ABV: “A club collaboration brew aged for a year in a whiskey barrel.”

Moleman Ray Gun - Mexican imperial porter 8% ABV: “Mole porter with mild heat and lots of chocolate. Made with coco nibs, chipotle peppers, ancho chilies, cinnamon and almonds.”

MCateer’s - Irish stout 3.9% ABV: “Classic dry Irish stout with subtle hints of chocolate.”

Reexamining the list there are many more I would have loved to try, but a friend convinced me to try Moleman Ray Gun and Tart Cherry Quad.

I preferred the Quad, which punched me with cherry taste but didn’t overwhelm me. It was more sweet than tart. Moleman Ray Gun didn’t offer the heat I was hoping. A fine stout, but not as complex as I hoped with all the ingredients.