ARROGANT BASTARD ALE - OAKED (7.2% abv)

Stone Brewing Co. - San Diego, CA

I won't lie, I was extremely excited to find this beer. I've been hoping to try it for some time. The Oaked version of the Arrogant Bastard pours a deep dark copper red. The nose is big hops and citrus with oak so subtle I wondered if my mind was imagining it. With my hinder cheeks clenched... I sipped. Mother freaker that is good. The big hop character is only slightly tempered by the oak. It's a conundrum, soft like a flower but standing on your tongue with a steel-toed boot. It's outstanding. It also made my tongue go slightly numb. Drinker beware.

DALE'S PALE ALE (6.5% abv)

Oskar Blues - Lyons, CO

I'll admit, I got a little excited when I heard the can top pop (see previous beer). Dale's pours a rich amber, like deep honey. Brilliant hoppy aroma. Ridiculously yummy hops up front with excellent malt balance in the mid-palette. The sensation front to back is thick and syrupy at times, coating the tongue in a dream. Incredible hoppy, earthy finish that lingers just long enough to usher you to your next sip.

GORDON (8.7% abv)

Oskar Blues - Lyon's, CO

Gordon pours a deep, cloudy amber with a fairly "thick" eyeball. Huge malt and molasses on the nose with a bit of hops poking through. Sensational malt forwardness that just keeps coming and coming with flavor. Hops, while not overly assertive, balance the big malt perfectly. They mellow quickly on the finish, rolling out like a gentle tide. There's a whisper of chocolate on the exhale and a clamor from your beer buddy to grab another.

HOPSLAM (10.0% abv)

Bell's Brewery - Galesburg, MI

The Hopslam is absolutely ridonkeyous!!! It pours a beautiful copper with a creamy head. The aroma is unreal, full of hops and citrus. I could bury my nose in this one all day. There is a momentary "calm before the storm" when it first reaches your mouth, then it kicks you in the tongue with huge hops. Fear not, this is not just another hop bomb. Opinions vary, but I found their to be plenty of malt for unprecedented balance. The mouthfeel is on the medium side and the residual bitter on the back of the tongue is delightful. This has just become one of your beer buddy's favorite brews.

MAMA'S LITTLE YELLA PILS (5.3% abv)

Oskar Blues - Lyons, CO

Well smack my @$$ and call me Judy! The perfect Pilsner? Perhaps. If you're ready to put down your useless, urine-hued corn water and put on your big boy undies start here. This is what a Pilsner should be. Crisp, clean, delicious. It's like delicate dynamite. There is no one flavor overpowering or overstated. Just smooth from one end of the palette to the other. Drink this one all day every day.

OLD CHUB (8.0% abv)

Oskar Blues - Lyon's, CO

Wether the name turns you on, off, or just makes you giggle Old Chub is a Scottish Style Ale sure to smack even Sean Connery around. Pours a nearly black pitch with a tinge of amber in the right light. The aroma is pure malt goodness: dark, toasty, chocolaty, with just a flutter of smokiness. The milky mouthfeel brings a wash of malt forwardness. Chocolate and caramel tamed with smoke and toast. A malt lovers delight.

PALO SANTO MARRON (12.0% abv)

Dogfish Head - Milton, Delaware

The Palo Santo Marron pours exceedingly dark like black coffee with just a whisper of a coppery head. It has a rich, malty aroma balanced with a waft of freshness. Sip it slowly... don't miss the pillowy, marshmallowy vanilla right on the front of the tongue. It gives way quickly to roasted malts with sweet caramel. The finish brings excellent hop balance and a warmth to the entire body. Be careful. Beneath the molasses-dark skin lies monster alcohol content. One of these will put your right for some time.

Brewery Note: At 10,000 gallons, the Palo Tank is the largest wooden brewing vessel built in America since before Prohibition.