Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Wolaver's India Pale Ale

Wolaver's India Pale Ale
Otter Creek Brewing Company got me. Never buy two sixpacks by same company at one time. Didn't realize they made Wolaver's beers until I got to car and looked at beer caps. The beer? Hops understated. Accompanying flavors lacking. Scent vague. Musty and indistinct. Not good enough.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Otter Creek Brewing Company Summer

Otter Creek Summer
Starting with the good stuff: Has very pleasing golden color!!! But...not much of a scent. Thin head. Can pick up on some wheat; otherwise it's low on flavor. Little bit of citrus maybe, but it's really slight. Very simple beer. Passable in a pinch. Not memorable.
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King of the Case: Troegs Brewing Company

Wherein I will buy a variety case and decide what the best beer in it is.

HopBack Amber Ale
When it comes to beer, I am a hops man first. Often times, when beers put a major stress on malt, they risk losing me. But this seemed to me to be a pretty ideal balance of the two ingredients.

DreamWeaver Wheat
This was really great! The banana taste jumped out. Big-time lemony punch. So crisp and easy-drinking, yet oddly flavorful and complex. A truly superior beer.

Pale Ale
I definitely enjoyed drinking this, but I remember thinking that there wasn't a terrific complementary aspect to bolster the hops.

Sunshine Pils
This is pretty good. A very nice beer to drink six of on a hot summer day. However, if it is beer adventurousness you seek, it would probably be best to look to a different choice.

The Labels
Will be honest: Have never really liked Troegs labels. They seem very old-fashioned to me. So let's start with the clear loser: the Pale Ale does not grab the eye at all. Just a reddish "Pale Ale" stamp on a green label. Not good. HopBack Amber doesn't grab me visually either. That leaves Sunshine Pils' smiling sun character against the magical tree image of DreamWeaver Wheat. I'm going with DreamWeaver because it took a long time for me to realize that the branches were spelling out "Troegs." Pretty clever.

The Winner
First of all, I apologize for this edition of King of the Case. I drank this case nearly a month ago and took absolutely ZERO notes. You see, I thought about giving it up after I lost to Lew Bryson in the Beer Scene writer competition. Suddenly I was drinking the case not to review it but simply to drown my sorrows. At that point, it seemed a little odd to take notes on stuff like "mouthfeel" and "texture." This being said, we like the good people at Troegs and we don't think it is right for them to lose their case review simply because the readers of Beer Scene made an incredibly horrible decision, like so many myopic boxing judges! Luckily for us, it doesn't take notes to tell you that there is a clear winner in this case: DreamWeaver Wheat. This is a classic of the hefeweizen genre. If you see it at your local bar - especially on tap - make sure to purchase it. It should also be said that this was the Beer Scene selection for the area's best wheat beer. Damn them. Sometimes, they really do get it right!
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Beer Week 50 Word Special: Via Marconi Sports Bar & Restaurant

The following beers were consumed at Via Marconi Sports Bar & Restaurant during a Beer Week visit.

Dogfish Head Robert Johnson's Hellhound on My Ale
Beer was named after the legendary blues musician who alledgedly sold his soul to the Devil for the ability to play a mean guitar. Awesome. Perfect balance of hops and malt. Love the glass it was served in! A heavy, freaking goblet! Type of simple, effective beer Dogfish frequently avoids.

Dogfish Head Pearl Jam Twenty Faithfull Ale
Wasn't a Pearl Jam man. Or, I should say, I didn't think they won the Pearl Jam vs. Nirvana battle that divided America in the early 90s until Cobain exited stage left. They were OK. Like this weak, slightly winish beer. Maybe if it had been named after Kurt's band.

Port Brewing Mongo Double IPA
As I was drinking, wondered if it was a double IPA. Hops seemed too understated if it was (it was). Pours color between golden and amber. While it's somewhat light for my linking, it has an interesting makeup: California citrus kick emerges in finish rather than on surface.

Best of the Bunch: Dogfish Head Robert Johnson's Hellhound on My Ale
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Great Beer, Nice Guys, and Some Borderline Creepy Tweets: A Night with Free Will Brewing Company

The other night (more like twelve days ago), I went to Chap’s Taproom for a couple of reasons. First of all, they had their Quizzo night going. Second, friends of ours were moving to Ireland for a decent stretch so we wanted to send them out with a good time. Quite frankly, the fact that the makers of Perkasie’s Free Will Brewing Company were going to be there had absolutely nothing to do with my walking through the doors on that late-May night.

Well, a few thoughts:

1)      We won in Quizzo and we didn’t even have to use our smartphones. Take that, technology. And cowardly users of said technology for Quizzo purposes.
2)      Our friends had a wonderful evening and have since touched down safely in the Emerald Isle, where I am sure they are having a swell time and eating lots of Lucky Charms.
3)      I sure am glad I got to taste the offerings of Free Will Brewing Company since the experience revealed them as seriously up-and-coming beer makers. Plus, they were darn nice guys.

A couple week’s remove from beer consumption will leave details about as scarce as ice sculptures in the Sahara so don’t expect much insight on the beverages here. Let’s just say their Destiny’s Wit was a crisp, refreshing wheat beer that I wouldn’t mind drinking several of on a warm summer afternoon. Their Citra Pale Ale, which has been reviewed on this site and beat Stoudt’s Karnival Kolsch in a hotly contested episode of Growler Wars, is a powerfully hopped specimen with notes of pine, caramel, grapefruit, and more. And the crown jewel of their collection – at least in this reviewer’s eyes – is the 7 Course Red Ale, a malty, smoky, almost stoutish monster that was so good it moved me to buy a growler of it two days after sampling it for the first time. It went on to beat Long Trail’s Double IPA, making the brewery the first ever to win two different segments of our Growler Wars series – an honor that unfortunately is worth about as much as a bunch of gold bricks would be to a man drowning in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Needless to say, their beer is good. But the story doesn’t end there. I actually got to talk to the guys. When I realized that the guys from Free Will were going to be at the event, I threw a shout via Twitter, the incredibly powerful social media site for people who are naïve enough to think that other human beings actually care what they think. They returned with one saying they would like to meet me. After several missed opportunities and tweets back-and-forth, including one where I accidentally revealed that I had just returned from the process of urination, we were able to chat for a few minutes. Shockingly, considering the level of detail I passed along to Dominic Capece, co-owner and co-brewmaster (with John Stemler)of Free Will, he had no reluctance to shake my hand and he did not require that Chap’s Taproom supply him with armed guards before making my acquaintance.

Before I pass along some details about our conversation, you must realize a few things:

1)      It’s been a week.
2)      It was somewhat loud.
3)      I was somewhat drunk.
4)      I am somewhat socially inept.
5)      I am somewhat scared that Dominic could have considered our conversation off the record and that I could be sued or, worse, banned from purchase of 7 Course Red for the rest of my days above ground.

So here’s what I got. The guys got their start making beer at home and then they started making it for parties that a friend would host. The attendees at those parties enjoyed the brew so much that they decided to take it larger-scale. Right now, they have a small operation in Perkasie. They make the three beers that I stated above. They also do not bottle or can. The beer is only made for draft consumption. However, the gents are eyeing expansion (both real estate wise and beer genre wise) should growth continue at its current state. That growth includes not only the event at Chap’s, but the presence of their beer at establishments like Whole Foods Plymouth Meeting, where the Pizza Project purchased both growlers reviewed for the site. Although I did not ask what he does for a “living,” I also learned that Dominic has an actual day job. This is something that I was shocked to learn because, when you can make beer this endlessly drinkable, you really shouldn’t be wasting your time doing things as trivial as punching a clock or curing cancer. As I think back, I believe that is pretty much all of the details that I got out of Dominic before leaving due to my own borderline psychotic fear of pauses in the conversation. Other than the fact that he has wonderful, piercing eyes. Seriously, I’m glad my wife wasn’t there on this night. She probably would have left with him. The bastard!

So here is pretty much all you need to know about Perkasie’s Free Will Brewing Company: It’s very good beer made by very cool people. Try it if you see it on tap.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Old Forge Brewing Company Endless Summer Ale

Old Forge Endless Summer Ale
Bought this beer because I was attracted by the canned sixpack of 16-ounce pounders. A little bit of wheat taste. Little bit of hops. Little bit of an aftertaste. Basically, it has a little bit of flavor, period. Very disappointing purchase. Not much better than big-box light beers.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stillwater Stateside Saison

Stillwater Stateside Saison
Been a while since I tried this beer at TJ's. All I remember is I really liked it. And that I wished it had come in a bigger glass. And that it made me want to drink more beer from Stillwater. And that I forgot to take notes.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Rogue Chipotle Ale

Rogue Chipotle Ale
Very intriguing beer. Has distinct Rauchbier smokiness in scent and sip. Features classic amber color and genuine spiciness due to jalapeno pepper notes. Still, once you get past smokiness, flavors aren't particularly special. Type of beer you must have once, but might not want to down two of them.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Russian River Damnation

Russian River Damnation
Spy 12-ouncers of this in stores for $8. Saw it on tap at Philadelphia's St. Stephen's Green. Had to try it. It's a very good beer. But it's not worth $8 retail for a short bottle. For that, it would have to be UNPARALLELED! Maybe come with an E pill?
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lavery Liopard Oir Farmhouse Ale

Lavery Liopard Oir Farmhouse Ale
When I go to Wegman's, I'm allowed two sixers and a 22-ouncer due to their Draconian regulations (I'm sure the rules are created by some idiotic entity). This week, chose this Erie, Pa. beer for big bottle. Was really rooting for it. But there were no elements of note.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Flying Dog Woody Creek Belgian Style White

Flying Dog Woody Creek Belgian Style White
After having a bust of a wheat in Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen, it is nice to have a white that makes you believe in the lighter ales. This beer by the quietly great Maryland brewery is a gorgeous, effervescent clear color. The orange notes and Belgian spices combine perfectly. Total class.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen

Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen
Not good. There's slight lemony aroma. Cloudy color is unattractive. Flavor doesn't pops. Hints of citrus and pepper, but really bland. In attempt to get flavor out, I did a little wine mouth-swish thing. Almost choked. Heard Portland beer was on the come, but this one was wack.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Goose Island India Pale Ale

Goose Island India Pale Ale
This one ranks as a major improvement over the previously sampled Honker's Ale. It has a powerful citrus scent, a pleasant color that falls between golden and amber, and a spikey hop flavor that really pops. Also features a smooth texture that makes it go down easy as session beer.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Great Divide Hercules Double IPA

Great Divide Hercules Double IPA
This is, quite simply, an awesome beer by one of the nation's most underrated craft beermakers. Made in Colorado, the beverage features vibrant hop flavor, serious citrus kick, low-level strawberry notes, pungent, flowery scent, and dry texture that sticks around after consumption. Packs major punch at 10% ABV.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Goose Island Honkers Ale

Goose Island Honker's Ale
I've had a few English bitter-style beers. They never really appeal. The version by this Chicago-based brewery is no exception. There's a little pop if you really focus, but the malts are too subtle. Have to chalk it up to the genre. Too understated. Always seems flat.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale

Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale
First thing about this beer: coloring is brown for a "pale" ale. Then the aroma. Nails you right in the nostrils as you lift to lips. The sip? Cracks you with IPA-level hops yet goes down nice and smooth. Elite beer. Underrated brewery. Bonus: Wonderfully quirky bottle art.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stoudts American Pale Ale

Stoudts American Pale Ale
Don't know what to say about this beer. On one hand, it's delicious, continuing a 2012 streak that's seen me experience numerous winners by the Adamstown brewery. Then again, the last four times I've tried to write this post, my computer's crashed. Good beer, Stoudts. But I'm moving on.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Leffe Blonde

Leffe Blonde
Like a trip in a time machine: Was one of my first steps toward craft beer many years back. Pours thick, creamy head and features a spicy yet slightly stale aroma. Belgian notes and citrus are strong. Was prepared to write off due to palette expansion, but it holds up.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Southern Tier Iniquity

Southern Tier Iniquity
I was hesitant to try this beer since I've had mixed results with both black IPAs and products by New York's Southern Tier Brewing Company. But hops and stout flavor mix flawlessly. Picked up healthy amount of grapefruit and plenty of chocolate. A chocolate grapefruit. Sounds gross. But it works!
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Oskar Blues Brewery Old Chub Scotch Ale

Oskar Blues Old Chub Scotch Ale
Since this Colorado brewery distributes their product in cans, the first of the sixer was consumed straight from the aluminum. No comments on color (brown?). Flavor? Scent? Significant malt. Caramel flavor. Smooth, creamy texture. Strong finish sans aftertaste. Bourbouny fragrance. Power-packed, but easy to drink.
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