Today, we have another one of those beers that I've been hanging onto for a few months. Really, picking this beer up was the catalyst for the blog's Maple Beer Season. See, I had had South Haven Brewpub's Brewberry Pancake before (find it by scrolling to just near the bottom of the linked page). So, when my folks told me there was a bourbon barrel aged variant of it my thoughts ran wild.


The last time Michelle and I (Lottie was there, too!) were at Lake Michigan, we swung into the brewpub and I was able to sample the ale on tap. I was pretty impressed. I bought two bottles--one to enjoy now, during November 2019, and one to squirrel away for later. If you're ready, let's dive into my first bottle of the brew.

So, winter's here now. I mean, I know that yes, technically, it's still fall for over another month. I would totally do battle with that technicality as my blade. That technicality is the hill upon which I would die. I love fall and every other season can rot.

But, it's some 33° now. This morning, on my way to work, it was 21°. It took over ten minutes and a combination of scrapping and defrosting to clear my car's windshield enough for me to safely drive. Yeah. Unfortunately winter's hitting early and swiftly here.

Sorry the background's so washed out. That random hand's Michelle holding Charlotte.

But, hey, it ain't all so bad. I mean, after all, I still have a few maple beers to get through, right? Which is why, in order to fend off the chill of the dark night without my home, I'm nestling down with Grand Armory's Barrel Aged Sap On Tap.

Welcome to maple season post number two! I'm halfway through my NaNoWriMo word count for the day, so I figure now might be a good time to take a break and look at another maple-flavored beer.


Today's offering comes from Michigan's Odd Side Ales. I'll admit, I've had this beer a time or three before. I got wind of it and asked my dad, who spends a good deal of his time in the Mitten State, if he'd seen it. A few days later, he told me he'd nabbed a four-pack.

So, since I've had it before, I'm drinking this beer at room temperature--I've found that sipping on it when it's any colder dulls the flavors. Now, without further fanfare, here we go: Hipster Brunch Stout.

We've entered November. This is typically a slow month for the blog--straddling the blowout seasons of Halloween (in October) and Christmas (starting pretty immediately after Thanksgiving and running until December 25th). Over the years, I've tried to throw up a few Thanksgiving-themed beers, but this year I'm doing something else. Maybe it'll carry through until November 2020 and become a thing? Who knows.

I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month for the second year in a row and, let's face it, most of my writing tolerance will be going to attempting to meet that fifty-thousand word goal. But, I don't want to let the blog fall by the wayside so, why not focus on beers that I'm certain will bring me joy to write about. Enter, Maple Beer Season.

See, I love maple syrup. It's my absolute favorite flavor and it's a great addition to many things, especially beers. But, not every brewery utilizes it wisely. Hopefully I won't find an instance of that this month but, if I do, I'm sure I'll at least appreciate the effort.


Okay, now that you know what's going on around here for the next few weeks, let's get right into it. Today's beer is The Bruery's Vermont Sticky Maple.