Mall of Honor

Beer #720 Ritterguts Gose / Brauhaus Hartmannsdorf, Hartmannsdorf, Germany
Previously from this brewery: N/A, this beer is the first out the limo

Hopefully you all survived the mall today.  Or, hopefully you realized there's this thing called the internet, and you can buy things there instead of getting into a knife fight over a parking spot at the mall.

Today's beer is an interesting pour; a Ritterguts Gose from Brauhaus Hartmannsdorf.  It has a dark gold hue, with virtually no head.  There is a light, light aroma of wheat and citrus, and when you drink it you get a tart, slightly funky taste.  Interesting that I noticed white grapes more than the salty qualities that are usually found in this style of beer.  Solid, easy drinking (4.2% ABV) choice, even if it likely won't be on tap frequently near you.

I didn't get a picture of this beer, so instead, I'll leave you with this picture of Goose from Top Gun, because that's close to Gose and I've been on a Top Gun kick lately.

Talk to me, Gose

This brewery may date back to 1887, but I don't speak German (unlike their website) so I can't confirm that.

Thing to Think About Today:
If you are at the mall today, good luck - and buy me something nice.  I leave you with one of my favorite gags from How I Met Your Mother, the episode where they find out Robin had a career as a teen pop idol back in Canada (sort of their version of Tiffany).  I leave you with the faux-video from her faux-hit song Let's Go To the Mall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-ZqdSBjHtA

Landed

Beer #715 Landsknecht Bier / Furst Wallerstein Brauhaus, Wallerstein, Germany
Previously from this brewery: another Landsknecht

Another season in the books, which ended in a disappointing fashion.  I'm exhausted and drained and tired and only writing this as part of my civic duty.

This is another review from the archives, as I think I drank this last December.  It pours a dark mahogany shade with a thin off white head.  There's a nutty, earthy aroma, and the taste is dry, with a light toasted malt flavor, and almost even a hint of smoke.  Not a bad beer for the season, and definitely unique

Furst out the limo

Thing to Think About Today:
Landsknecht beer gets you some Swim Until You Can't See Land, from a favorite of mine, Frightened Rabbit.  A fantastic song, which I hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzjERZU3wbY

"And if I hadn't come now to the coast to disappear
I may have died in a landslide of rocks and hopes and fears"

Mai, Mai

Beer #707 Mai-Ur-Bock /  Einbeker Brauhaus, Einbeck, Germany
Previously from this brewery: another Mai-Ur-Bock

Another one from the archives as it's the second to last PSU home game today!  This one is a bottle of Mai-Ur-Bock, a maibock beer from Einbecker Brauhaus.  In the glass, you get a bright copper color and a rather fluffy white head.  There are pleasing aromas of malt and honey, and the taste gives you a solid mix of caramel, sweet malt, toffee, and raisin.  Not a bad beer, although I tend not to gravitate towards beers like this when ordering from a beer menu.  I would have another one of these, however.

Ich bin ein bier!

Thing to Think About Today:
Hall and Oates.  Heard some Hall and Oates recently, so I figured I'd share that wonderfulness with you all here in this space.  Enjoy your Saturday just a bit more now that you've heard You Make My Dreams Come True

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz2W3QfXnHc

Bene-ficial

Beer #704 Benediktiner Weissbier / Klosterbrauerei Ettal

Previously from this brewery: N/A, this beer is the first out the limo

It's a hustle day, so you get some hustle.  Today's beer was an old pour of Benediktiner, a hefeweizen from Klausterbrauerei Ettal in Germany.  In the glass, you get a hazy amber with a fluffy white head.  There are ample aromas of banana and yeast, and when you take a sip, you get an almost carbonated feel, and flavors of banana, clove, a fair amount of spice and biscuit.  Rather nice, particularly if you like hefeweizens.  And I do like them, even if I don't order them all that often.

Borrowed photo; mine lost to the sands of time.

This beer has roots that go back to a Benedictine order of monks who brewed beer; it appears they're still involved in production.  Sweet.

Thing to Think About Today:
I mentioned them in my post last night, and I'll go ahead and delight you with The Jayhawks in this space. Further proof of my fondness for country music (that is, the non-pickup truck or macro beer version, of course).  We close with Ten Little Kids.  Night, all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goox4SnszCw

Touch

Day #702 Tucher Helles Hefeweizen / Brauerei Tucher Brau, Nurnberg, Germany
Previously from this brewery: Hefeweizen

Another blast from the past review, as I didn't get a chance to eat lunch yet, and not really feeling like today is a good day for liquid dinner.  So you get a glass of Tucher Helles Hefeweisen, which pours a cloudy pale yellow with a lingering head.  There are aromas of lemon and bread, and the taste has notes of biscuit, wheat, orange, and some light banana.  This isn't a beer that really stands out from the crowd, but it is perfectly drinkable.

My photo is mysteriously lost in space.  So, you get this stock footage:

The Good "Tuch"

Thing to Think About Today:
A song that popped up on the iPod, and provides a nice mellow background for the evening.  The immensely talented Ben Folds and Landed.  Makes me wish I still played the cello.  Night, all...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXHjKFhq2s0

And I've been flying high all night / So come pick me up, I've landed"

Blast from the Past

Beer #701 Jever Pilsener / Friesisches Brauhaus zu Jever, Jever, Germany
Previously from this brewery: another Jever Pils

I have buried in a folder draft notes on beers I drank last year.  I had some extras stashed away as we raced to the finish line of the 366 challenge, and then moved to a review every other day model, so I never needed to dip into my supply.  I'll go ahead and break one out now, a bottle of Jever Pilsner that I drank in November.  That's November of 2012, for those keeping score at home.

It poured a crystal clear pale gold, with aromas of grain and barley.  The taste is simple and clean, with notes of grass, grain, and barley.  It's an easy drinking beer, really.  But not much there....

Pics from the past

Thing to Think About Today:
With a picture of a beer from 2012, I thought of Mitch Hedberg, a deceased comedian (unfortunately!) who one had a joke, and I'm paraphrasing, "Someone showed me a picture and said, 'here's a picture of me when I was younger.'  Isn't every picture a picture of you from when you were younger?"

And that about sums up Mitch Hedberg's sense of humor.  Watch some more, if you will.... laugh, please.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6xaj2fC1jI

Day 522: Girl Crushes, Boobs and Life Altering Decisions

Yesterday, Angelina Jolie revealed to the world that she had a preventative double masectomy. It reduced her odds of developing breast cancer to less than 5% from an estimate of 87%. Her mother fought a decade-long battle against cancer and after Jolie tested positive for the BRCA1 gene--a faulty gene that greatly increases one's chances of developing breast or ovarian cancer--she took action.

I'm awed by the beautiful honesty that Jolie uses to write this piece. (The full op-ed piece is here.) She writes of loss, love, commitment and being truthful to herself, her family and countless women who hopefully will find a touchstone in her openness.

I don't make much of an effort to hide the girl-crush I have on Angelina Jolie. I can't get enough of her films. I analyze ads she appears in for embarrassing amounts of time. I value and respect her humanitarian work. Now this laying bare of her person...I can't even begin to put words to how it impacts me. Could I be that strong? Would I put myself through that? If I did, could I share it so openly?

It gives us so much to think about and to talk about. It opens a dialogue and creates opportunity to be supportive of one another rather than defaulting to tearing one another down. It may not always be about breast cancer or even cancer in general, but there's always something going on with people. It's up to all of us to find out what, to be supportive, to do what we can to bring out the best in each other.

(Gets down and puts away soapbox.)

Now to lighten up the mood--with a light refreshing review of a light refreshing beer. It's the Freigeist Gose, which is brewed by Gasthaus Brauerei Braustelle. That just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? With a name like that, yes, it is indeed brewed in Germany!

It pours a hazy and dark shade of yellow with a thin white head. It smells like lemons and tastes like honey and lemons. There's an earthy aftertaste with undertones of orange. I also noted a mild salinity and some tea flavors. It drinks with a full but not overwhelming body--I'd even call it sessionable.

Beer stats

Style: Gose

ABV: 5.2%

IBUs: Unknown

Rating: Great

Previously reviewed from Gasthaus Brauerei Braustelle

My review of Freigeist Abraxxxas, a truly different beer

Beer 356: Furst Wallerstein and Ooh-Ooh Friday Night

Today summed up in three bullets:
- produced an entire week's worth of work in one day
- tweeted like it was my job
- listened to way too much rap

The beauty of one's own office? Drake can yell muthafucka as much as he wants. How was your Friday?

Tonight's beer is the Landsknecht-Bier from Furst Wallerstein in Germany -- a Munich dunkel lager with a 5.2% ABV.


It looks like a hazy cola with a thin tan head. It smells mostly like bread. There's an ashiness in the flavor along with huge malts and a bit of caramel. This is a style of beer that I'm not all that familiar with. Per the definition I found, it should be smooth, rich and complex without being heavy. This one meets that description.

It should also be full bodied with minimal bitterness. Again we have a winner. Based on my obvious limited knowledge, I'll rate it a great and kick up my heels because it is Friday night and the feeling is all right! Cheers!

Beer 355: What Would Mom Drink? Benediktiner Wheat Beer?

Back on November 4, I posed some questions about what I've learned during this adventure. I guess with a mere eleven beers to go, I better start coming up with some answers. 

Let's just rip this band-aid off and start with the hard question.  Has all this writing helped honor my Mom's memory?

I don't freaking know. I don't think she even liked beer. But seriously this woman never stopped encouraging me to pursue my dreams, even when my dreams seemed ridiculous for any number of reasons. You want to be a cheerleader? I'll drive you to practice everyday. You want to play tennis? Sure where do we buy a racket? You want to move to the suburbs of Philadelphia? Ok, just don't get shot. Mom never fully grasped how safe it is here, that I don't really live in Philadelphia and that the museum area where I work is quite safe. God rest her soul. You're going to buy a house with a guy that you aren't married to? When's the housewarming party? You're marrying that guy? Thank god because I really like him.

Fast forward to now and I have a feeling that she's sitting there thinking good job. Keep writing. It makes you happy.

Thanks, Mom.

Another question -- would she like tonight's beer?


It's the Weissbier from Benediktiner Weibrau in Germany. It's a hefeweizen with an ABV of 5%. It pours a deep, golden brown color with a full white head. It smells of lemons and wheat grains. The flavor is thick...wheat, general citrus and I would have said berries but I couldn't find them again. I may have hallucinated that part. Overall I think this is a good beer and I would totally share it with my Mom.

Cheers!

Beer 353: Einbecher Brauhaus

Tailgating is not always fun and games. Every now and then it ends up with ridiculous numbers of prescription drugs and chest x-rays. Let that be your warning for having as much fun as humanly possible during the football season. You can always sleep when you're dead.  I guess I have Warren Zevon on the brain after Gary's post yesterday. 

Today's beer is the Einbecher Brauhaus Mai Ur Bock, a maibock or helles bock with an ABV of 6.5%.  It pours a bright copper color with a thick off white head. The smell is toasted malt with hints of hops. It tastes quite rich with raisins, some fig and lots of honey. There is very little noticeable hop in this beer. What's there is very flowery.  I think I would have liked a little more bite to balance out the rich sweetness. 

There are definitely better examples in this category out there...Lancaster Brewing's Rumspringa comes to mind.  Cheers! 

Beer 348: Tucher Hefeweizen and Thanksgiving Wishes

This Thanksgiving I'm grateful for the balance I've found in my world. I'm at peace with who I am and how I make my way in the world and I sincerely hope that brings joy to those I encounter along the way. I have amazing friends and a strong family and an incredible husband. Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm also grateful for good beer and that's certainly been plentiful this year. Today's beer is from Brauerei Tucher Brau -- specifically the Tucher helles hefeweizen.


It pours a hazy straw color with a full bright white head. It hails from Germany and has a 5.3% ABV. It smells of banana and wet dog. Somehow the wet dog isn't a bad thing. The taste is light buttery banana, wheat and some bubblegum. Overall this is a great beer.

Cheers!

Beer 346: Jever Pilsener and Scattered Pre-holiday Thoughts

I just registered for next year's bicycle trip through northern Belgium with BeerCycling. I. Am. Going. To. Belgium. IamgoingtoBelgium!!! I'm going to take a little break from writing to do the running man since 1. I know how to do it now and 2. I have some excess excitement to burn off! I've traveled overseas once in my life -- to Egypt. I'm pretty sure I'm more excited for this trip!

Other things rattling around my head...

Pitbull is a funny and articulate guy. I may have judged him too harshly after that awful Dr Pepper commercial Let's Have a Real Good Time.

I inadvertently demanded a promotion at work today. Lucky for me, they already know I'm crazy so this came as no surprise when I hit the ceiling over some nonsense.

I've also come to realize I don't care for pilsners. I like lagers, but for some reason the light lager isn't doing it for me. This is a confusing time for me because I just declared my love of Victory Brewing's Prima Pils. Odd.

Tonight's beer is the Jever Pilsener from Friesisches Brauhaus zu Jever in Germany. Jever is the original Friesland pilsner (ABV 4.9%) -- brewed in northern Germany with pure Friesian spring water and fresh Hallertau hops.


It pours a golden color with a wispy white head. It smells like skunky weed and Shredded Wheat. Seriously. Shredded Wheat. The taste is grassy and very sharp. There's something medicinal and sweet in there as well. Yeah. I think I've outgrown pilsners. I'd rate this one average.

Cheers!

Party Like It's 1809!

Beer #27 1809 Berliner Weiss / Professor Fritz Briem, Munich, Germany

I saw a woman wearing a sleeveless leather vest to work today.  Leather-ish, anyway, maybe vinyl.  This was worn as a top, not outerwear.  All of this was very odd (I don't work in a Harley dealership or a sex dungeon) and I'm furious I didn't get a picture.  Imagine the picture below, but gray, and with more buckles but fewer chrome studs.  Yep.

Illustrative purposes only - not actual vest!

Now that I've shared this unusual fact with you, I'm going to drink a beer and figure out whether or not I can wear my sleeveless puffy winter vest as my shirt tomorrow.  The beer while I'm thinking is one of my all time favorites, the 1809 Berliner Weiss from Professor Fritz Briem.  Briem isn't a brewery, but rather a brewer, and perhaps a professor at a school in Germany which teaches people how to brew beer.  And why didn't I go to college here?

This beer has a hazy yellow color, with a relatively fluffy white head.  The aroma is a blast of tart, funky citrus, when you drink it you get a glorious mix of tart and sour thanks to the Brettanomyces, with lemon, a hint of grape, green apple, and grain.  This beer is outstanding and eminently drinkable - the standard bearer for what a Berliner Weisse should be.  Which of course means it's headed for the Top 25 list of beers/breweries for the year.

Sexy time.

This beer was one of the first beers that got us deep onto the path of liking high end craft beer.  Thanks to Teresa's Next Door in Wayne for originally introducing us to this amazing brew!

Thing to Think About Today:
If we're talking about leather outfits in the workplace and 1809, let's go ahead and think about a guy who wears leather outfits to work and sings about 1999.  Indeed, people - it's time for some Prince!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSWcMNEeeAU

FINALLY!

Beer #266 Gaffel Kölsch / Privatbrauerei Gaffel Becker & Co, Cologne, Germany

Finally, it's here!!!!  After a long, tumultuous off season, we're back in business in State College today.  Tailgate starts at the bright and early hour of 7am, the motor home should be arriving by 8am, and we'll be in full swing shortly thereafter.  I've been going to Penn State football games since I was seven years old, so by now it's simply part of my DNA.  Some of my fondest memories happened in that parking lot, and I intend to use this season to continue that trend.

The beer for the day is Gaffel Kölsch from Gaffel Becker, which has a clear gold color.  There are aromas of grain and barley, and the flavor is clean and simple, with prominent notes of grain, biscuit, and a hint of sweetness.  Easy drinking beer for warm, late summer day.

Hi there.

This brewery traces it's roots back to the late 1800's.  I think... my German isn't that good, and the Google translation doesn't seem to be very coherent today.  Whatevs.

Thing to Think About Today:
We wrap up College Week with not just the greatest film about college ever, but probably one of the greatest films ever, period, end of story.  I'm not sure when I first saw this film, although I specifically recall watching it when I was in high school, and making my mind up that my time in college was going to be the greatest time of my life.

I'm sure you've all seen this one, but it's a tale of the Delta house, a group only worried about the next party they can throw.  That comes to a screeching halt when the Dean decides he wants to kick the trouble makers off campus for good, and enlists the elitist fraternity to help him in the cause.  When he succeeds, it's time for Bluto (expertly played by John Belushi) to lead the Delta's in one last suicide mission for the ages.

In a movie where every scene is a great one, how can I possibly choose one to highlight here?  I've already showed Bluto's speech to rally the Deltas in this space back in January, so let's let Eric Stratton have the floor.  I desperately wanted to be Eric Stratton when I was in college.  Admittedly, I failed in my attempt, but when you reach for the moon and miss, you still land among the stars.  Thanks for spending some time here during College Week.... wonder what we can do to top it next week?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROxvT8KKdFw

"Mr. Blutarsky....ZERO POINT ZERO."

Beer 264: Gaffel Kolsch and a Good Day

Ever have one of those days where you just get shit done? That was me...or I should say is me today. The productivity continues into the evening hours. Dinner is on the table. A new beer is in my glass. I have ideas for this weekend's posts. Two loads of laundry are done. I hung a bulletin board.

Although I just realized the guys haven't been fed. A clue should have been this...


















...chasing me every time I moved. Sorry, guys! (He has a tail. It was just wagging too fast for the camera!)

Onto the beer! It's the Gaffel Kolsch from Privatbrauerei Gaffel Becker and Company. That's in Germany if you couldn't guess from the name. This kolsch has an ABV of 4.8%...making it very drinkable. I'm a big fan of the kolsch style, but this one isn't doing it for me.


It poured a bright clear gold with very little head. It smells a little skunk-like. Did I get a bad bottle? It has a nice full mouthfeel but a very bitter taste. Again did my bottle turn? I'm not loving this one.

After writing this, I went to read other reviews. I really think I got a bad bottle. The other reviews note honey, floral hops, grass. Hmmm....I need to start a list of beers to revisit. This may be one of the first.

Cheers!

Beer 255: Three for Threesday...I mean Tuesday

I'm inadvertently celebrating a Two fer Tuesday Three for Threesday...I mean Tuesday. Sadly the beer beers I had planned to review turned out to be too directly related to the Grimbergen Pale Ale -- and Leipziger Gose that I reviewed a mere 11 beers ago and months ago.  Rats, I say! Rats!

The beer originally planned for today was the Mort Subite Kriek Lambic.  This was one of the beverages enjoyed at SourFest at Devil's Den on Saturday.  While decidedly not sour, this lambic was sweet and tart. Depending on who you asked at our table, the tartness varied greatly. Also interesting is that the fact that I tasted more strawberry in the flavor than cherry.  It poured a pretty rosy brown color with a barely pink but sticky head. It was tasty but I can't imagine drinking more than one.

The Mort Subite Kriek was followed by the Bayerischer Bahnhof Leipziger -- a Baltic porter with Brettanomyces.  Of the porters, Baltic porters are my favorite. I love beers with Brettanomyces. The description of this one sounded oddly like Jolly Pumpkin's Madrugada Obscura. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

It's brewed in Germany at Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof. It appeared to be a very dark brown, almost black in the glass with a thick craggy head.  It smelled like dark fruit. No earthy funk in the nose.  The flavor was roasted and slightly smoky. At first the tartness wasn't there for me but as it sat I noticed more tartness coming out along with some strong hops.

Pardon the profanity laced interruption. MOTHERFUCKER. I ALREADY DRANK THIS GODDAMNED BREWERY IN FEBRUARY. How does my beer addled brain not pick up on any recollection of that bizarre, impossible to pronounce name??? I EVEN MADE FUN OF IT BACK IN FEBRUARY.  SHIT. Damn. Poop. Hell.

I may actually cry.

Seriously.

Seriously this is the last review I'm writing tonight. If I find out that I already reviewed Fordham Brewing, you will never know. NEVER.  Fordham is brewed in Dover, Delaware but claims heritage dating to 1703 in Annapolis, Maryland.  It appears that the brewery was founded way back in 1703, operated for years and was shuttered for a number of years until an enterprising group of brewers reopened it in 1995.  The Helles Lager poured a golden straw color with no head.  It had medium carbonation. It smelled of sweet caramel malt and grains. The taste is very malt dominant but clean and crisp. It has a nice hopped finish with a taste of biscuits every now and again. It's quite easy to drink.

Cheers.

Bittersweet and Sour

Beer #252 Freigeist Abraxxxas / Gasthause-Brauerei Braustelle, Cologne, Germany

Brief update today, as we're headed out to a Sour Beer Fest in the city.  Some ridiculously ridiculous beers on tap, including some rather hard to find brews.  Can not wait.

With this in mind, I'll go ahead and review a Berlinerweiss, the Freigiest Abraxxxas from Gasthaus-Brauerei Braustelle.  This beer is hazy yellow with a thin head, and gives off the aroma of bacon.  I'm not even kidding.  Bacon.  The taste is an unexpected mix of smoked meats with a tart and sour undercurrent and a clean finish.  The best word I can use to describe this beer: interesting.  Wasn't bad, although I'm not sure I'd order these on a regular basis.  Might be a good beer to pair with brunch due to the bacon element.  Marci's take on this unusual beer can be found here.

Doesn't look like bacon.

They claim to be Germany's smallest brewery, for whatever that's worth.  Their website is tiny, that much I can say.

Thing to Think About Today:
Instead of sour, we'll close out today with something bittersweet.  As in, Bittersweet by Big Head Todd and the Monsters.  And we'll just go ahead and use their concert footage from Red Rocks, because I've been there before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyd9OcI37AY

Princes and Bishops

Beer #237 Julius Echter Hefe-Weiss /  Würzburger Hofbräu ,  Würzburg, Germany

It's Friday, and we're doing take-out Chinese food for dinner, with a movie and some beer to follow.  Not a bad way to end the week by any stretch of the imagination.

Tonight's beer is the Julius Echter Hefe-Weiss from Würzburger.  It comes out of the bottle with a hazy yellow, with a lingering thin white head, and gives off aromas of grain, malt, and banana.  The taste is classic hefeweizen - banana, clove, wheat, and bubblegum, with a clean light finish.  If you love hefeweizens, this one needs to be on your list, and soon.

Soooo good.

Würzburger is storied brewery, founded in 1643 by Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp von Schönborn.  Prince-Bishop is one badass title, if you ask my opinion.  All the funk of Prince, plus the strong pimp hand of Bishop (Don Magic Juan, that is).

Prince!

Bishop!

  

Yeah, I mean I guess it was something like that.  Anyway, keeping with the theme, this beer is named for Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn, a big wheel in the church and town of Würzburg in the mid-1600's.  His heart is buried in a monument in the great hall of the University of Würzburg.  Top that one.

Looks just like Prince!

Thing to Think About Today:
A bit more on heart.  Sometimes, the winners aren't strictly the ones who go home with shiny medals around their necks.  Take for example, the story of Derek Redmond.  A pulled hamstring got very much in the way of a podium finish for Redmond at the '92 Olympics, but it didn't get in the way of him proving he had a heart of a champion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKpZnok10s&feature=BFa

Beer 229: Julius Echter Hefe-Weiss

It's late and I've had a long day of being super productive so I could duck out of work early to hit the salon. It takes work to maintain these good looks...I can't risk a bad beer blog paparazzi photo! Oh wait. The beer blog paparazzi only stalk me in my sleep. So yeah...on to the beer.


It is the Julius Echter Hefe-Weiss brewed in Germany by Wurzburger Hofbrau.

It poured a very cloudy straw color with a thin white head. There were lots of bananas and clove in the nose. It smells fantastic. The taste is spicy and fruit ester and it has a creamy mouthfeel. I would really love this beer if the carbonation wasn't so prickly. Overall it is delicious and a great example of a hefeweizen.

Cheers.

Apparently, it's Sitcom Day

Beer #227 Jubilate / Brouwerij Pinkus Müller, Münster, Germany

Beer number 227 today!  Remember that 80's sitcom 227, starring Jackée?

Remember when?

Yeah, I don't either.   However, beer/brewery #227 is the Jubilate, a dark lager from Brouwerij Pinkus Müller.  I'm not exactly sure where we picked this up, but it's a safe bet to guess either Wegman's or Whole Foods.  Although not pictured (for some odd reason), it poured a dark amber color, with aromas of sweet malts and stone fruit.  There's a lot of malt up front, with pleny of honey sweetness, caramel, and a clean finish.  Quite nice, in fact, and rather drinkable at 5.5% ABV.  Marci's take on this beer can be found here.



Oddly not pictured: my glass with the beer in it

Pinkus Müller originally started out as a bakery, but the founder converted the business into a brewery in 1866.  Smart move.  This beer was originally brewed as a special beef for their anniversary - 'jubilate' translates to 'rejoice' in Latin. For those who are more focused on this sort of thing, the beer is also certified as organic. 


Thing to Think About Today:
If we're talking 80's sitcoms, I think we need to give some credit to The Cosby Show.  Is there anyone in America who was alive when this show was on who didn't watch every week?  Perfect family entertainment, although it did touch on more serious social issues as well.  Bill Cosby in his comic prime.  Sooo many good clips to choose from, let's go ahead and use a family musical number:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eQlN_YPyNc