I've always had an appreciation for Dogfish Head. Historically their beers have fallen in that "just above my price range" category of my drinking budget. Now that I've indulged in more than a few of their brews I see why they're just out of my price range--they're damn good.

Last year my friend shared the That's Odd, Let's Drink It YouTube series with me. That was my first exposure to Sam Calagione as more than some name behind some beer. I could tell that, apart from having an immensely entertaining personality, Sam had a genuine love of beer. Recently, Michelle and I powered through the Discovery Channel show Brew Masters, which is a document of Dogfish Head and the lengths they go to in order to give people the best possible beer.

It's safe to say that these have given me a newfound respect for the Delaware brewery. So much so that when I saw a four pack of Midas Touch, part of Dogfish Head's Ancient Ale program, I sprung for it. I didn't even have second thoughts about it's $14 price tag.

Here's the question: Is the beer, and my newly minted infatuation with Dogfish Head, worth it?

Wow. Sam Adams. Been a bit, huh? Seriously, the last time I touched upon a Boston Beer Company brew on this blog was over two years ago. Which isn't to say I haven't had any Sam Adams since then. I've actually had a lot. When we visited Michelle's parents for Christmas last year, for example, her dad picked a winter variety pack that we split--all good beers.

In fact, today's beer comes from Sam Adams' fall variety pack. I'd seen the beer featured in the same pack last year, but at the time I couldn't bring myself to pick it up because I was still paying out the nose for tuition. So, when I saw the pack this year, I had to nab it. For this beer in particular. I'm sure some of you know this about me (especially if you've been hanging around here since the blog went live): I love maple in my beer. All the more so when the maple is incorporated well.

What's your dream? No, seriously. Given the subject of today's post this is not only a truly terrible pun (although it is so I'll own that), it's also a legitimate question. See, for as long as I've been going to MadTree, I've known about Dreamsicle. It's their kölsch that tastes like an orange creamsicle. I remember the first time I had it--it was on my very first trip to their old taproom. I was blown away. That first sip was as good as this beer ever got and it hasn't wavered in quality since.

Dreamsicle has long been a staple of MadTree. And, for as long as it's been on draft, fans of the brewery have been clamoring to get it canned. You could say it was a dream of theirs.

Then, lo!, in April of last year MadTree posted this image on their social media pages. Cincinnati beer drinkers went wild. Finally, they'd be able to take this magic elixir home to sit on and share with friends and loved ones when they visited or when they were visited.

But, all too late, people noticed the exact date of that Dreamsicle post. April 1st. It was all an elaborate joke. Some people laughed it off. Some people got angry.

MadTree, however, delivers on their promises. Nearly a year and five months after the joke, cans of Dreamsicle were officially released. They came out last Thursday. I drove straight to the brewery after I got off work to nab a sixer. I came home and drank three cans that night (each can clocks in at 4.7% ABV so put those judging eyes away). I gave one to my roommate. I'm about to crack into the fifth can. I'll try to hold onto the last one of those six as long as I'm able.


So, as you can probably tell by now, today's beer is Dreamsicle. I've had it before. It's good. Now, let's get down to the brass tacks.

Oops. I totally meant to get this out last month. I really wanted to just feature fall beers in September and beyond but I guess you autumnal naysayers lucked out. As it turns out, I'll be writing two posts this weekend (this one is included in that count) and neither feature fall brews.


I guess that means summer's going to go out with a bang here at John Likes Beer. Let's get this passing of the seasons started with today's beer: Petoskey's Horny Monk.