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Ok, so I changed the layout. Well, not so much the layout, but the color scheme. I can only assume that that was what the strong majority of you (3) disliked so much about it. In any case...allow me to get to my point.

I'm curious as to what beers you guys would like me to take to task. I'm pretty daring and will honor all suggestions. Just don't be offended if you request your favorite and I skewer it, those are just the risks you all will have to be willing to take. I'm curious to see what you guys come up with. Just leave it in the comments section to this post and I'll see what I can do.

Don't let me down! I welcome all challenges! Do your worst.

Not as long, nor as interesting, as the Stephen King novel...I'm guessing.

Brewery: Tommyknocker Brewery and Pub
Location: Idaho Springs, CO
Beer: Imperial Nut Brown Ale
Type: It's an imperial nut brown ale. What do you want from me??
I like the word "imperial" in front of beers. It's usually a good sign it'll knock you flat on your ass if you aren't careful. Tommyknocker got my attention straight away with "imperial" in big, bold letters on its label and then they threw in the kicker..."Brewed with pure maple syrup!" WHAT?! Ok, my arm was easily twisted. As you would expect, this beer tumbled out a rich brown color, maybe mahogany? The head wasn't as dark as I had expected it and if you looked away quick enough the head would be up and gone before you realized. I didn't pick up any maple syrup in the bouquet but I did get a thick malt fragrance. More perplexing, I picked up hints of tarty fruit, almost smelled like an apple. This beer didn't really do a whole lot for me. The mouthfeel was crisp and light which is saying a lot for a 9.0% abv brew. But what threw me off was the complete lack of robust flavor. The tart smell transfers to a tart first taste with maple BARELY creeping in on the back end. I was left with an incredibly boozy aftertaste which, in and of itself isn't terrible, it's just that I wanted more of that roasted malt and maple that I was promised! Had I not taken notes on this beer I would be hard pressed to give details about. Overall? Unpleasantly underwhelming.

Turtle in a turbin.

Brewery: Terrapin Beer Co.
Location: Athens, GA
Beer: Hop Karma
Type: Brown IPA
I know what most of you are thinking, a brown IPA? These things shouldn't be a such a surprise...especially if you've had a black IPA...see bashah. In any case this beer pours a gorgeous chestnut brown color with the slightest hints of red. The cream colored head caps off the brown nicely and spends a fair amount of time hanging around. I like beers that foam up nicely, I'm a fan of the rings they leave on the glass. One might think that because this is an IPA hops will be the first thing that makes its way to the nose, however, there is a pleasant malty nose with only the slightest notes of hops. Once I finished admiring the color of Hop Karma I was delighted find a supremely refreshing beer with a crisp, clean mouthfeel. The hops come through right out of the gate and eventually make way for the star of the show. You get a nice splash of "brown" flavors. And by brown flavors I mean roasted malt with a coffee-esque follow through. The roasted malt flavor tricks the palate into believing there's a somewhat nutty taste to it, mixed with the hops, I found all of the flavors working wonderfully together. Hop Karma comes in at 6.0% which makes it terribly enjoyable and a perfect combination for foods that may have a hint of heat to them. Break free from you IPA slavery! Try this brown IPA today!